Ochi Day II

Phoebe has to help lay a wreathe at a memorial and recite a short poem with two of her classmates. I explain to her that she will have to wear something smart. Something smart that may even involve a dress or a skirt. I ignore her howls of protest and explain to her that getting up in front of lots of people to say a poem is like acting, and when you are acting, you have to wear the costume of the character you are playing. "On this occasion, my love, you will be playing the part of a polite, well-behaved little girl who doesn't mind wearing smart clothes. That's not you, I know, but it's the part you're playing, alright? You are Phoebe and you hate dresses, skirts, and anything with flowers, and we all know that, but today you are playing a part and the costume for the part may have to be ever so slightly girly, OK?"

I think she bought it...

Ochi Day

comes round again and Emily's class is chosen to perform the celebrations.

(Notice how I have cunningly positioned myself for this shot so that Emily is almost entirely hidden from view.)

Happy Birthday Phoebe!

photo by emily

Easy-peasy

"How's your homework coming along, Emily? Any problems?"

"No, Dad, it's easy. Easy-peasy lemon squeezy!"

Ha! That's so funny! Easy-peasy lemon squeezy! We used to say that when we were little. Wasn't it from an advert in about 1970 or something? I wonder if kids still say that nowadays. Probably not.

Come to think of it, I wonder where on Earth she picked it up? I can't imagine she's come across it in a book or film or anything, and what sort of idiot would walk around using ridiculous phrases like -

Ah. Yes.

Yes. I can see how that might be possible.

Oh dear.

I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat...

"Daddy, I want a picture of Sylvester and Tweety on my birthday cake because I'm Tweety and Emily's Sylvester and I like getting Emily into trouble just like Tweety gets Sylvester into trouble."

Well, at least she's honest about it...

Cake

Phoebe's first words on waking up this morning:


"Daddy, today we must go and buy a cake for my birthday."


I explain to her, not for the first time, that her birthday is still a fortnight away. I think it is safe to say that she is very much looking forward to it...

Convertible

"What would you like for your birthday, Phoebe?"

"Daddy, I would like for my birthday a car with a roof that goes 'Vvvvv' [she mimes a roof retracting behind her head] so that I can drive and feel the wind in my hair."

"Riiiight... . I'm not sure whether we'll be able to manage that this year my love."