LogicalThough

The upcoming primary means that the way to the market is full of political jockeying; the stall-holders near the entrance like to rate them, as in "I see Edwards is going for height, Obama's betting on location, and Ron Paul is going for area." Today they were joined by a man with a green ironing board, who was giving fake anti-war dollars to voters who were registered Green or Independent. I said cheerily and truthfully that I am a Decline to State voter, but he probably wasn't having much luck, and that was good enough for him to give me a dollar. Opal was thrilled, until I explained you couldn't spend it. She lectured me sternly "All money is for spending! No money is not for spending!" I admired her grasp of logic, if not her factual excellence.

We've done some high-level negotiation lately, as Opal has gotten embroiled in difficult situations. First, she was drawing valentines for people yesterday, and said she'd draw one for Henry. He objected; he wanted to do it himself, he didn't want her to do it for him. She objected; she didn't want him drawing on her paper. Much howling ensued, mostly on Henry's part, but also on Opal's as she said "I just wanted to make him a Valentine and now he's being mean to me!" Henry never fully accepted the proposition that drawing a Valentine for someone was not usurping their rights but doing them a favor. Sure, the adults were happy with it, but what do adults understand anyway?

Sunday morning's negotiation were over the subject of stairs. The coffee house has two floors, and they opened the upstairs. One of the other kids we see there wanted to go up, so Opal wanted to go too. But the other child (nearly a year younger) was indignant at this idea. She didn't want Opal going upstairs. I suggested the other girl go first. That was not enough. She did not want Opal climbing those stairs. Opal meanwhile sat patiently on the stairs. The other girl's father started in on an argument about sharing, and his daughter looked up at him with big, innocent eyes, and said "But Daddy, I'm just not in the mood to share today." Eventually she did agree that it was not her coffee house and Opal could go too as long as she was first.

On the way to Brent and Janet's for a Superbowl party, Opal looked out and admired a puddle: "Puddles are soo cute. I love to stomp on them."

Read to Opal today: Willa the Wonderful, Monster Math, Three Little Pigs, three Jill Barklem Brambly Hedge books (Winter Story, Spring Story, The High Hills), Where's the Dragon?, Dumpy the Dump Truck, Dean Morissey's The Monster Trap, John Muth's The Three Questions, Sesame Street From Trash to Treasure, David in the Lion's Den, Little Red Caboose, The Butterfly Garden by Else Holmelund Minarik, Heroes`` by Ken Mochizuki, ~~Good Job, Oliver by Laurel Molk

The Running Book Count: 1761 + 2