It's a really old spoon, then?

(Alex is using Mommy's special childhood spoon.)
Claire: Mommy had it when she was a kid.
Alex: It's a really old spoon, then?
Mommy: Hey!


Daddy: How did they get the moon up in the sky?
Claire (excited): They have a big, big, big, big ladder, or -- if you wanna fly up, you hafta have a balloon.


Daddy: How big is space?
Alex: It's huge!  It never ends.

Daddy: Well what happens when you get to the end of it?
Alex: You wouldn't get to the end of it!  You'd go for days and days, and you'd be like "Ach!  We've been here for three weeks!"

Alex: So how could they, like, build space?

Claire: How does mulch get there?  I know.

Birds don't use potties, so there's no potties in trees.

Alex (to Mommy): I was gonna say something to you but I forgot.


Alex: Daddy, how do you build trucks? Because trucks build things. With them.
Daddy: I don’t know! How do you build tools?

Alex: Maybe there's a special kind of tool, you don't have to build. It builds itself.

Alex: Birds don't use potties, so there's no potties in trees.

Only your face goes up in the air.

Claire: You know what all of my favorite colors are?
Mommy: What?
Claire: Aaaaaaall of the colors!
Mommy: I thought pink and purple were your favorite.
Claire: But, the favorite colors are, pink and purple, and, some other ones, that I still like, that aren’t really my favorite color, are red, and blue and green and, I think that’s all. That’s all my favorite colors.
Mommy: You like a lot of colors, don’t you?
Claire: And sometimes I change my mind and I like all the colors in the world! Even white and black!


(Claire and Alex are discussing death.)
Alex: Only your face goes up in the air.


(getting ready for bed)
Claire (to Mommy): I’m your baby kitty sleeping.

Why don’t plants pee? You know they drink water.

Claire (to Alex, as she turns off the TV): After, I turn it off, if you wanna turn it back on so you can turn it off, you can do that.

Alex: Can we watch another one?

Alex: I think I had a dream about a blueberry that was that big.
(Alex demonstrates with his hands.)
Daddy: Yeah?
Alex: I mean, that big.
(Alex demonstrates again, slightly smaller.)
Alex: So I said to you, Daddy, can we save them? And you said yeah.



Alex (to Daddy): I know you’re the best Boggle player.

Alex: I’m always gonna be your buddy.
Daddy: Aw! We’ll always be buddies.
Alex: Even when I die, I’m still gonna like you.
Daddy: Aw.
Alex: I’m never gonna forget you.


Alex: Why don’t plants pee? You know they drink water.


Alex: You’re funny, Claire.


Alex (angrily): I hate rules!


Claire: Daddy, this is my toy store.


(Alex is playing with his toys.)
Toy Man: No way you’re gonna get me, dinosaur!
Toy Dinosaur: Oh yes way!

Why does there have to be a name for every day?

Alex: We still have to watch out for the orange juice, Claire.
Claire: Yeah, but I have my shoes on.
Alex: Yeah, but our shoes, are running out of... okay in orange juice.


Alex: Why does there have to be a name for every day?


(Alex and Claire are playing, and Alex pretends, for the first time, that he has a gun. So Mommy explains to Alex the dangers of real guns.)

Alex: The only way to die is to get shoot by a gun, Mommy?
Mommy: No, there are other ways you can die.
Alex: Like what?
Mommy: You can get really really old… or you can have a bad accident…
Alex: Like “I peed a lot in my pants” accident?

Alex: If you get fired, you die.

Alex: If the windows were open and you were jumping in your seat without your seatbelt on, you’re going boing boing boing… and then the last time, you go boing! You’d fall out of the window.


Alex: Well, I know that at people’s houses they don’t have any real guns.
Mommy: Yes they do.
(Mommy explains in great detail.)


(dinner)

Claire: Alex, I saw you, out the window, I saw you on Splash Day.

Claire: And I saw the sprinkler, and I thought you were out, and then I saw you, so that means you were out on Splash Day.

Claire: But, if it was a thousand [degrees], will you die?

Claire: The sun is sooooooo big!
Alex: It’s bigger than a house!
Mommy: It sure is. It’s bigger than our planet.
Claire: Uh-huh. It’s like bigger than… bigger than our whole world!

Claire: Mommy on days we go to school, when we come home, we can do the game, the talking game.

Claire: Because on days we stay home, we, we’re…
Mommy: We’re together.
Claire: Yeah we’re together. So we know what we did.

Alex: Um I hope the TV works, because… I want to watch a show.

Claire: Remember, a long, long time ago, Alex liked Bob?

Alex: It’s been when I was like four, since we watched that show. We haven’t watched it ever since I was five.

Claire: How ‘bout we play a game? This is not a guessing game. You just talk – you go, you go all around, and you say what you did today.


(Claire is using Mommy’s sink to wash her hands.)
Claire: Daddy, when I was four, and I stand on my tippy toes, I can reach it!
Daddy: Wow!
Claire: When I was three, and I was on my flat feet, I couldn’t reach it, and when I stood on my tippy toes, I couldn't reach it!
Daddy: Wow!



(Daddy tucks Alex into bed.)
Alex: Good night. I can't wait to spend time with you tomorrow.

This is the only planet where -- that has people in it.

Claire: Daddy, I'm your baby kitty.

Claire: When I put the waffle in my mouth, it didn't taste yummy.


(Claire is saying she's always going to eat lots of carrots to stay healthy.)
Claire: Until I die, I stop.
(Pause.)
Claire: Because I can't do it anymore when I die!


Claire: This is the only planet where -- that has people in it.

Because you were just playing on your Kindle. You should be doing your work.

(Daddy is sitting on a stool, working on his computer at the kitchen counter.)

Alex: You haven't sat on that stool, working on your computer for a long time.
Daddy: Yeah?
Alex: You haven't worked a lot at home.
Daddy: You're right.
Alex: Because you were just playing on your Kindle.  You should be doing your work.

And I can't even wait for tomorrow, ‘cause I can't wait to stay home, and not go anywhere!

Claire: I can't wait for tomorrow.
Alex: I can't wait to go to sleep.
Claire: And I can't even wait for tomorrow, ‘cause I can't wait to stay home, and not go anywhere!


(Alex got hurt twice today.)
Alex: I had two ailments today.

I thought when it rained, it rained all the way around the world, and it doesn't.

Claire: Daddy, what if I forget my teacher's name?



Alex: I thought when it rained, it rained all the way around the world, and it doesn't.

Claire: When it rains, all the clouds rain, right?



(Claire talks about lunch.)

Claire: I had carrots, and medium-sized brown things…

Claire: And I had a sandwich that had bread on the top and the bottom, and cheese and turkey in it.



Claire: Mommy Daddy, I have a book at school!  Do you wanna know what it's about?

Daddy, why do crabs have sharp snappies?

(driving to Busch Gardens)

Claire: What was that car called, that was brown and went past us?
Mommy: A jeep.
Claire: But it didn't have a wheel on the back.

(Claire rambles on about the car for a while.)
Claire: Do you know what that car was called?
Daddy: Are we still talking about the brown car?
Claire: Yeah.
Daddy: That was a jeep.
Claire: But it didn't have a wheel on the back!

Claire: Maybe they just wanted to break some glass from the back so they could feel good air for the puppy, or if they had a kitten and a puppy... (Claire rambles on some more.)

(Later, we pass a jeep with a wheel on the back.)
Daddy: Look Claire, there's a jeep.
Claire: But that other one didn't have a wheel on the back, what was it called?
Daddy: A jeep.


Claire: Daddy, why do crabs have sharp snappies?


Alex: I think it’s good that we went to Busch Gardens today, Daddy, ‘cause if we were at home, we might watch too much TV.

Claire: Where do frogs live?

Claire: Where do sort of sharks live?

Claire: I know where trees live: in the mulch.


Alex: We’re in Dragon Land!

And there was thunder as loud as someone's knocking down a building.

Claire: Daddy, I like school because I like drawing.


(after breakfast)
Claire: Daddy, I'm clean, and I didn't get a wipe, and I -- no butter got on my face!


Claire: I like having nap, because sometimes I start getting tired.  When I -- when it's nap time.



(Claire and Alex come home from school.)
Claire: Daddy, I got a little snack at school!  Everything doesn't have peanuts.
Daddy: Oh!
Claire: And I'm gonna give some to Alex too.

(Alex took a field trip to Byrd Theater.)
Alex: The theater was a little scary when we first got in it.  'Cause I thought we were gonna watch a movie.  And there was -- a stage -- that was as big as -- this wall.  All the way from the fireplace to the top of the TV.  From the bottom of the fireplace to the top of the TV.  It was as big as this couch!
Daddy: Wow.
Alex: As big as this rug.  That's how big it was.
Daddy: That's a big stage!
Alex: And there was thunder as loud as someone's knocking down a building.
(Alex jumps up and stomps upon landing.)
Alex: That's how loud it was.

(Claire is in the bathroom.)
Claire: Daddy?
Daddy: Yes, sweetheart.
Claire: Um, my nose is stuffed up at school, and at home, and when it's stuffed up at nap, it bothers me.
Daddy: Okay.

Claire said she washed hands better than me!

Mommy (to Alex): What's wrong?
Alex (upset): Claire said she washed hands better than me!

Daddy, is I'm clean?

Alex: I don't wanna go to school.

Claire: Daddy, is I'm clean?


Alex: I’m gonna have more money than anybody in this world!


Claire (singing/chanting): Bread is fresh
Claire (singing/chanting): Bread is fresh
Claire (singing/chanting): Bread is always fresh, when you keep it closed


(dinner)

Claire: For real?

Claire (to Daddy): I always say "for real" when you say something different and I don't know.

(Alex is eating asparagus.)
Alex: I'm a grown-up!

(Daddy likes asparagus too.)
Alex: Fist pump!

There's not very much bad guys in this world.

Claire: When do bad guys come out of the jail?
Daddy: When they're not bad any more.

Claire: There's not very much bad guys in this world.


(Alex is riding his bike.)
Alex: I'm really good at not holding the handlebars, see?
Daddy: Yeah.
Alex: Because I've been riding my bike for like years.


Claire: Daddy, you wanna go see my door hanger? It's so pretty.

Claire: Watch. It'll, be so pretty when it sparkles.

Claire: See isn't it cool?



Alex: But it does look like I'm in first grade, doesn't it?

Alex: I wanna do more homework!

How do people make everything in the world?

Claire: How do people make everything in the world?

Claire: Why do they have a number on the back of the cars?

Can you watch House Hunters with me, Mommy?

(Daddy is going to sit with Alex while Alex watches a kids' show.)
Alex: Can you watch House Hunters with me, Mommy?
Mommy: What?
Alex: Can you watch House Hunters?
Mommy: Um, okay.
Alex (to Daddy): Um, I wanted to snuggle with Mommy instead.
Daddy: Okay.


Mommy: I have some bad news for you.
Claire: What?
Mommy: Those two band-aids are about to come off.
Claire: I don't want you to pull them!


Claire: If my band-aids fall off while I'm sleeping, I'm gonna get out of my bed and -- well I'm not gonna get out of my bed, I'm gonna stay in my bed and throw them away.

I like to test out my shoes, when I first get them, to see how fast they are.

(Claire and Alex come home.)

Claire: Daddy, I got four stickers from the doctor, and I even got shots!

Alex: I didn't get shots but I got my finger pricked.

Claire: Daddy, when I got shots it hurt, but I was brave.

Claire: Look we got prizes 'cause we went to Chuck E. Cheese's after the doctor.


(Alex and Claire have new alarm clocks.)

Alex: Yay, my new alarm clock!

Alex: Mommy told me I wouldn't really like the sound.  It would like scare me up!

Claire: Look.  When it rings, it moves that thing.
Daddy: Yeah, and it goes dinga-ding-ding-ding!
Claire: Yeah but it's a loud noise.


(Claire and Alex have new jump ropes.)
Claire (to Daddy): Do you know how to do it?
Daddy: Yeah, I know how to jump rope.
Claire: I can show you, too.
Daddy: Okay.
Claire (demonstrating, but without the rope): You -- you hop up, when, the jump rope's where your feet are.

Claire (riding around on her car): Jump, jump, jumping rope, jump, jump, jumping rooooooooooope!


Claire (getting into bed): When I'm in bed, when all my body's in the bed, and none of it is poking out, say rabbits are a fast climber, okay?


Alex: I like to test out my shoes, when I first get them, to see how fast they are.

I don't wanna be a grown-up 'cause then I won't have fun.

(dinner)

Claire: I don't wanna be a grown-up.
Daddy: You don't wanna be a grown-up?  Wh -- did someone say you have to be a grown-up?
Claire: I don't wanna be a grown-up 'cause then I won't have fun.

Daddy: What did you guys do at school today?
Alex: It was just boring.
Daddy: Claire, how 'bout you?
Claire: Um, I went outside.
Daddy: Yeah?
Claire: Um -- um… after nap we went outside?
Daddy: Yeah?
Claire: Um… um… I made a crown, and it's still at school.  Drawing -- drawing -- draw -- drying, I think.  And, they put out centers -- there was Play-Doh, I think -- and, there was circuses, and… um… um… um…
Claire: And -- and, um, I think there was Legos too.
Daddy: Yeah?
Claire: Uh-huh.  Um… and, uh… I… um… we read, some stories.  And, we got a snail book?  Uh-huh.  We left -- we already left the snail book at school.  And we got it today.  And when I was outside, um Mommy, came and picked me up.
Daddy: Was that fun?
Claire: Mm-hm.  And I even had nap.
Daddy: So was it a good day?
Claire: Mm-hm.
Daddy: Did you like being at school all day?
(Claire nods.)
Alex: Nn-nn.
Claire: I do.

Claire: Mommy, there's a bug in here.
Daddy: What's its name?
(Claire pauses for a minute, then giggles.)
Daddy: What do you think its name is?
Claire (smiling): I don't know.  I guess it's Bug.
(Claire shrugs.)


(putting Claire in bed)

Claire: I'm your baby rabbit.

Claire: Did you say "giraffe giraffe giraffe"?  "Giraffey giraffe"?

Alex! Alex! Come look at my room! It's fun and pretty!

Claire: Daddy?
Daddy: Yeah?
Claire: Yesterday was Saturday and today’s Sunday. Today we stay home.


(Mommy painted Claire’s room.)
Claire: Alex! Alex! Come look at my room! It's fun and pretty!


Alex: Do you know Spanish, Daddy?
Daddy: No.
Alex: But you went to Texas, right?

The rule is – the law is, if you’re on the potty, you don’t have to say “excuse me,” right, Daddy?

Claire: Mommy? What's the most things in the world? What's the most things in the world?
Alex: Air.
Claire: And trees.


(Alex is at the kitchen sink.)

Alex: When I’m six I’m gonna be able to reach that better.

Claire: Yeah when I’m five I almost can reach the water, and the one that goes up and down and make it go on and off.

Alex: Well, I’m pretty sure when I’m seven I’ll be able. But I’m almost six.


(Claire gives Daddy a card she made yesterday.)
Claire: Daddy? Yesterday you opened this card. Do you wanna open it again?


(Claire is playing baby.)
Claire: I got her out of her bed, because it’s time to wake up!


(dinner)
Claire: I love everybody in the world, even Mommy and Daddy.


Alex: I don’t have to say “excuse me,” ‘cause I’m on the potty. The rule is – the law is, if you’re on the potty, you don’t have to say “excuse me,” right, Daddy?
Daddy: That’s right.
Alex: ‘Cause that’s where gas is supposed to go.

Can kids eat ‘sparaguses?

Claire: Can kids eat ’sparaguses?
Daddy: Yeah, kids can eat asparagus.
Claire: Are ’sparaguses healthy?
Daddy: Yeah, they're very healthy.
Claire: But I don't like ’sparaguses.

We played at Grandma’s house, watched a show, climbed a mountain, picked peaches...

(Daddy is wearing his Hawaiian shirt.)
Alex: I like your shirt.

Claire: Are those your PJs?


(Alex watches the coffee pot fill up.)
Alex: It’s over eight!

Alex: It’s almost at ten!


Grandpa: It’s Independence Day. We’re gonna put the flag up.
Claire: Uh-huh, and were gonna climb a mountain with Grandma.


(Claire and Alex put on a puppet show.)
Claire: We need to close the curtains, because the show’s about to start.

Claire (to Alex): You can make the show but you can't look out there with your head up.

Alex: The show will start in... like, three minutes.


(Claire finishes putting her shoes on.)
Claire: I'm ready to climb a mountain.


Claire: I've never climbed a mountain before!


Alex: Mommy, you're going seventy, and the speed limit’s sixty-five.


Claire: We played at Grandma’s house, watched a show, climbed a mountain, picked peaches... wasn't that a long time, Alex?

Claire: But I don't wanna leave Grandma’s house.

Alex: Can we do this again?

Claire: I want to go to Grandma’s house and do it again.


Claire: Mommy, if you don't wash anything, everything will be all wet and dirty.

Claire: If we have baths every day, do we still have to wash the clothes?


Alex: Daddy, do you always -- when there's a limit sign that says sixty-five, can you go lower than sixty-five?


Claire: What happens when you sink into a bird?


(driving home)
Claire: I wanna stay at Grandma’s forever.


(bath time)
Alex: This was a fun day.

I learned it on House Hunters.

(going to Grandma’s house)

Alex: Where are you guys gonna sleep? Grandma doesn't have a bed for you.
Daddy: Yeah she does.
Alex: But, does Grandma have a guest room?
Daddy: Yeah. How do you know about guest rooms?
Alex: I learned it on House Hunters.


Claire: When something blinks and it’s yellow, that's the lightning bug.

When people die, they won't ever come back again?

(Mommy is baking biscuits.)
Claire: Oh!  What is that smell?  It smells like chocolate!


Claire (running around, flapping her arms): Daddy, I'm a fairy.

Claire (driving her new car): Daddy, the fairy's driving the car.

Claire (driving her new car): Mommy, the fairy's driving her car.

Claire: Mommy, if you been, the fairy won't give you something.

Claire: Daddy?
Daddy: Yes, Claire Bear?
Claire: Um, if you be mean, the fairy won't give you something.


(Claire is eating pudding.)
Claire: I made a huge hole and a cliff.  See this is the part where you stand, and you faaaaaalllll.


(Daddy is sitting on the couch working a puzzle; Claire walks by, pushing a grocery cart.)
Claire: Daddy?  You're off at work and I'm going to the grocery store.
Daddy: Okay.
Claire: I'm going to the grocery store with my baby.
Daddy: Okay.


(Claire is looking at a photo album, and wonders about a picture of Sabrina, who died before Claire was born.)
Claire: How are they gone?
Mommy: They died.
Claire: Will they come back?
Mommy: No, they died.
Claire: When people die, they won't ever come back again?
Mommy: That's right.
Claire: Oh.

(Alex sees a picture of Mommy's grandpa.)
Alex: That's my great-grandpa.
Daddy: That's right.
Alex: How many years did he stay?

(Claire sees a photo of pregnant Mommy, holding her hands on her tummy.)
Claire: There's a baby in Mommy's tummy, look Daddy.
Daddy: Yeah, that’s you.
Claire: Is it under her shirt?

Claire: Then why is her hands there?  So it won't fall out?


(Claire has a new baby giraffe stuffed animal.)
Claire: This is my baby giraffe.
Alex: What's her name?
Claire: Um… Claire!  No… Fluffy!