My daughter Julia came to live with me two years ago for school. It isn't easy for me to raise someone who is practically my nine-year-old clone, but that is exactly what I find I am doing with Julia. Through our judo and soccer practices, reading, writing and arithmetic, Girl Scouts, and Japanese language classes, we occasionally have a conversation that connects us both in a sometimes deep and usually humorous way. Hopefully, you will be as entertained as we are.

Wordless

Julia and Daddy are eating breakfast before school.  Julia has been extraordinarily slow.  Towards the end of breakfast, Julia spots a can of soda from last night that she did not finish.

Daddy:  (Noticing that Julia has had nothing to drink for breakfast.)  Are you thirsty?  Do you want something to drink? 

Julia:  (Stares at can of soda.)

Daddy:  (Calculating bad parents give children soda for breakfast versus caffeine being good for Julia…)  Er… Um…  Et…  Uh…  Eeeee…  Iiii…  Le…  O.K.

Julia:  (drinks soda)  That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard you say.

Daddy:  What?

Julia:  Er… Um…  Et…  Uh…  Eeeee…  Iiii…  Le. 

Daddy:  Sigh.