I can't believe it.

I can't believe I'm thirty *indistinct mumble to hide the something count* and still do the very small voice with my mom.

mom: Why is Tadpole wearing pants today? When she obviously wants a dress?
la rainette: becauseshesouldn'tshowherlegs
mom *pityless and not quite hard of hearing, but used to plow right through the small voice thing*: what was that?
la rainette: she drew on her legs with a ball point pen on the way to the airport (pen from last week's B'day party, HELLO, parents, watch what you put in the loot bags!) and then she fell asleep on the way home, and this morning I didn't have the heart to wake her up extra early just to clean her legs, she was so tired, the poor thing...
Mom: So! You mean you send your daughter off to play group with ball point pen all over her legs?
la rainette: eeek. Yes mom.

Somebody PEASE tell me I am not an unworthy mom. Am on the verge of tears right now.

God, this is going to be a long month.

I Am Canadian

How do you know when you have finally gone native? Well, watch us. Excerpts from this morning's smashing conversations.

Mom: oo, look, squirrel!
la rainette *unimpressed*: yeah. It's a squirrel.
Mom: Ooooooo, look, more squirrels!!!
la rainette: yes, yes, yes, there are lots of squirrels over here.
Mom: Awwww, how cute!
la rainette *peeks out, and notices that ALL the garbage cans in the streets have been thrown over and opened. It took them 4 months, but the racoons have finally figured that one out.*
la rainette: ACK! The damn racoons have been through the garbage! What a nuisance!
Mom: Racoons? Where? Where? Awwwwww! How CUTE!

You are a Canadian when the racoons stop being cute, and you don't notice the squirrels anymore. So there.

Mmmmmm. I should wake my mom up - the jet lag got the better of her an hour ago and she's sleeping elegantly (my mom is very elegant) on the Bum (Tadpolese for living-room couch) - but then this peaceful moment would be over. Oh, let's give her a few more minutes, then.