The Princess at Bedtime

On going to bed, three hours past bedtime:

Lily: tell me a story

Mommy: Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess. She was smart and funny and clever and creative and amazing in every way and her mommy loved her very much, just the way she was. 

Lily: (smiles. Snuggles into her favorite blanket Auntie Melissa made her. Hugs her stuffed bunny a little tighter. Closes her eyes.) You may turn off my light now. 

Going to Australia

Noni: I'm moving to Australia. 

Lily: that's not a real place! That's a place in a book! (Referring to Alexander and the  Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day)

Mommy: it is so too a real place! 

Noni: you have a cousin who lives in Australia. His name is LJ. 

Lily: (doubtfully) really?

Mommy: Yep. Do you know what he does for a living?

Lily: (raises one eyebrow) what?

Mommy: he runs a pool business. (Lily is still staring) He cleans pools for a living. 

Lily: Really!? That's exciting. We should go visit him!

Mommy: Ok. When?

Lily: Not tonight. Tonight we go to the water park!!

The Princess and the Toast

Lily (upon awaking...at 10:25am): good morning. I would like to wait in the living room. 

Mommy: what are you waiting for?

Lily: breakfast, of course. 

Noni: (who is, indeed, cooking the princess cinnamon toast) life at the palace is good. Would you peel me a grape?

While Grand-Da and Noni Argue Over Ripe Peaches...

Noni, is that a little kid toaster?

I want a cherry vanilla cherry cherry slushy.

(At Sonic)

Grand-Da: I would like a cherry vanilla cherry cherry slushy. 

Noni: do they even make that!?

Grand-Da: they do and you say it just like that, I WANT a cherry vanilla cherry cherry slushy!

Noni: are you sure that's what you want?

Em: you say it just like that and he can be happy with whatever the poor little Sonic employee decides a cherry vanilla cherry cherry slushy is. 

Noni: ok. Lily, what would you like?

Lily: a cherry vanilla cherry cherry slushy. 

Noni: I think Lily & Grand-Da need to be separated. 

Conversation With Grand-Da:

Lily: if Grand-Da buys me a pony, you can brush it. 

Mommy: if Grand-Da buys you a pony YOU can brush it...and feed it...and scoop its poop...and clean its stall...and take it for walks. 

Lily: that's silly. 

Mommy: I think you better go tell Grand-Da you want a carousel pony instead, before he buys you something we have to feed. 

Lily: (runs to Grand-Da) I want a carousel pony instead. 

Grand-Da: you want a cell phone!?

Lily: no! A caros...a curro...a sella...I want a pony I don't have to feed. 

Grand-Da: wouldn't you rather a cellphone?