And So We Do

At twenty-six months, Annalee likes to walk barefoot now; she likes to read her favorite books with us as many times as we're willing (her current favorite is "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You See?"), announcing her intention with a single word ("Again!"); she is very interested in other children at the park and pool and uses another single word to communicate her desire to be brought near them ("Kids!); she is fond of a statue at the park known as "The Philosophers," whom she refers to as "the guys." Unlike several months ago, she prefers sleeping in her own room just about all of the time. Sometimes, her mother and my conversations lead to a rebuke: "No talking!" So far as we can tell, these words mean "Talk to me!" And so we do.