Costumes

The girls are invited to a fancy dress party. Emily is going as a conjurer, but despite our entreaties, Phoebe is refusing to dress up as a rabbit for Emily to produce from her hat.



Instead, Phoebe has dressed as a pop star (or Elton John's Mini-Me, take your pick).

Alvin & the Chipmunks

Me: "So why don't you want us to rent Alvin and the Chipmunks 2? I thought the first one was quite good."

Emily: "No, Dad, it wasn't. It's a film about annoying little creatures with big cheeks who sing in squeaky high-pitched voices."

Me: "And?"

Emily: "I share a bedroom with Phoebe, Dad. I get enough of that all day long without having to watch a DVD of it as well."

Sad

[cont'd]

Emily: "Seriously though Dad, you never do anything that you want to do. You're always working or doing stuff for us."

Me: "That's not true darling. I do lots of things that I like. I read books, I listen to my ipod."

For some reason, the girls seem to find this screamingly funny.

Emily: [Recovering her composure] "Dad, prisoners are allowed to read books and listen to ipods - and they don't have to do all the other stuff that you do. Your life is just sad."

Being boring

[cont'd]

Phoebe: "Your life is really boring, isn't it?"

Me [Taken aback] "Well, no, I wouldn't say that. I don't think my life is boring at all. Actually, every day is completely different."

I will tell her about the wide variety of translations I do.

Emily: [In a mock serious voice] "No, Phoebe, Daddy's life is very interesting. Think about the wide variety of translations that he does!"

They both hoot with laughter.