Maia Evelyn » Maia Speak

Our budding cartographer

john — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 19:53:37 +0000

While we were still lounging in bed, Maia surprised us by dropping into the bedroom after having spontaneously drawn this picture of the world.

Not exactly accurate, with Antarctica at the north pole, but, she wasn’t copying anything as a reference. In any case, I find it fascinating that with 3 weeks in kindergarten, this is the first thing she’s picked up that has not been any part of a lesson at home.

On Tooth Fairy Etiquette

valerie — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:17:37 +0000

Maia has been through a flurry of 5-year checkups the past week. At her dental appointment, she received some welcome news. One of her bottom teeth is just a teensy bit loose. Of course, that makes the prospect of a visit from the tooth fairy that much closer to being a reality. Oh joy!

Almost every night after stories and songs, as I am leaving the darkened sleeping room, Maia tells me her plan for when she loses her first tooth. She plans to stay awake to meet her very own tooth fairy. Tonight, I got some specifics:

Maia: When I loose a tooth and the tooth fairy comes, I’m going to stay awake all night.

Me: I know you will, you’ll catch that fairy.

Maia: MOM! She has to go visit other kids too!

Me: Oh! Sorry! You’re going to stay awake to see the tooth fairy.

Maia: Yes. It would be rude for me to catch people.

Kindergarten

valerie — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 04:11:40 +0000

Maia is getting registered for kindergarten this week. We’re duly filling out the forms and making sure we have the right paperwork. I reminded John over breakfast of our upcoming appointment and mentioned that my friend Kathleen would stay with the girls.

Maia’s ears perked up. “Why is Kathleen coming over?”

V: “So we can get you registered for kindergarten.”

M: (very quietly) “Will it hurt?”

Oh miss Maia–it’s only going to hurt mommy’s heart to let you go.

On Being Green

valerie — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:58:52 +0000

At the farmer’s market this morning one of the farmers was wearing a shirt with a forest being chased by a bulldozer. Maia was fascinated by the picture and asked me to tell her all about it. I duly gave her the child-sized version and what she glommed onto was a new and elaborate game of chase: Bulldozer vs. Tree.

She is currently orchestrating this game amongst her and the sisters. She came running up to John and I explaining that her sister Elise was a tree. John, being the rabble rouser that he is asked her what she would be if she hugged her sister, who was a tree. (You know, she’d be a tree-hugger.)

Maia carefully considered the question, and then, her face lighting up as she hit on the answer stated: “I’d be HAPPY”.

Oh sweet big sister, we’re so glad you’d be happy to hug your sister-tree.

The box truck

john — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 03:05:06 +0000

Valerie: Maia, go ask you sisters which Angry Bird they want

Maia: OK. [Goes running off to visit the sisters, and then running back]

M: Mom, when will the box truck come with our Angry Birds?

John: Maia, why do you think the box truck will deliver the Angry Birds?

M: [walking over and staring me straight in the eye in a way that can only mean life or death consequences are being discussed] Because, the box truck brings everything that I like.

M: The box truck brings everything that the whole family likes.

M: [now jumping up and down] Mom, when will the box truck be heeeeeeeere

Our little princess

john — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:51:34 +0000

Overheard this morning.

Maia: Mommy, I need you to move the milk. It’s too big for me.

Valerie moves the milk carton out of the fridge.

M: I have glass hands.

V, incredulously: You have glass hands!?!

M: Yes. They are very delicate.

Facts, they just get in the way some times

john — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:41:59 +0000

After having a complete meltdown about having macaroni with cheese in it (ohhh, the horror!), Valerie went to get the settled-down Maia from the sleeping room.

V: OK, I’m going to fix you a plate of mac and cheese now.

M: But I don’t waaaaaant a plate. I want a bowl.

V: No bowls. The bowls are all dirty.

M, looking into the open cupboard: No they aren’t. Let me count the bowls. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Mom, there are plenty of clean bowls!

We must choose wisely the battles to fight in the tug-o-war with Maia.

Can’t argue with that

john — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:28:00 +0000

After reading stories, Maia was lying on the couch between Valerie and I. The tiniest bit of tickling turned into a bout of continuous giggles.

J: Why are you so giggly? I’m not even touching you.

M: [stopping and briefly pondering]

M: Because. I’m Maia.

M: [continuing to giggle]

Connecting the dots

john — Sun, 09 May 2010 14:07:23 +0000

For whatever reason, Maia has to take her shoes off soon after getting in the car. Yeah, it’s small potatoes in the grand scheme, but, it messes with my sense of reason having to repeatedly fiddle with shoes and squirming feet.

J: Maia, I’d like you to ask if it’s OK to take you shoes off in the car.

M: [blank stares]

J: Sometimes we make short trips and there’s no reason to take your shoes off. So, next time, please ask first, OK?

M: But, then you would say, “No”.

Yes dear Maia, your parents are killjoys. Get used to it…

Maia’s take on Stella’s Helmet

john — Sun, 02 May 2010 07:17:47 +0000

Stella’s cranial orthosis is now a keep sake of days past. Ellen spied it on top of the book case in the kid’s room while visiting tonight:

Ellen: Is that Stella’s helmet that she used to wear?

Maia: Ohhh, Yes!

E: She’s too big to wear it now. It won’t fit!

M: Ummm, yeah. Her head used to be really square and she wore the helmet to make her head really circle.