I think morning is the most interesting time of day to watch and listen to the kids. Some days just start out awful, particularly if Anna is in a bad mood, and other mornings everyone’s happy. Jen and I need to be more diligent about getting to bed on time so that we are in a good mood in the morning. I also need to put the camcorder by the bedside so that I can record the girls’ morning routine.

This morning as I got up with the girls, Tara was pretending to be asleep when I came into the room, so that she could spring up and surprise Anna and I. Anna wasn’t fooled. After waking, Tara said, “I was twirling my hair.” She does this a lot, leaving the back of her hair in knots, so we tell her not to do it, but she loves playing with her own or Jennifer’s hair. “Why were you twirling your hair?” I asked. She thought for a second, “Because it calms me down.” Even I was impressed by this little moment of self-awareness. She then made a sour face, turned to Anna and poked her, saying “stupid!” She learned this from listening to Anna’s Junie B. Jones books, and we have been trying to discourage this behavior. “Tara, don’t poke people and don’t say ’stupid.’” She turned to me and asked “What’s the word of the street?” “It’s definitely not ’stupid,’” I replied. She looked down glumly and moped, “Oh.”

Later, at breakfast, I ended up giving the girls each half a cookie because of a slight misunderstanding the previous night. I told Anna she could not have dessert because it is becoming too much of a routine, and instead she could have some for breakfast. I thought it was apple strudel from the german bakery, but it turned out to be cookies. In any case, Tara had to have some as well just to be fair. After Anna wolfed hers down, she asked Tara for some of hers. Tara broke off a piece and gave it to Anna. She then looked at me and said, “I’m sharing with Anna.” Then after a few seconds, “I’m sharing very nicely.” And after a little more thought, “And I won’t say ’stupid.’”