Golden Silence

Dad [fishing for a compliment]: That was a good dinner, wasn't it, Kate?

Kate smiles but says nothing.

Dad: It wasn't?

Kate: I'm speechless.

Hi there.

Dad [while hugging Jane]: I love you.

Jane [pauses and grins]: Hello.

School Mornings are Pleasant

Dad [while pulling into the drop-off line at school]: Thanks, you guys. You did a great job getting ready for school this morning.

Kate [nonchalantly]: It's my pleasure, dad.

Breakfast cereal

Kate and Dad have a running game to rename all breakfast cereals. Here we introduce, "Family Size."

Why do we have the plain stuff at all?

Kate [following a bowl of plain oatmeal with one premixed with brown sugar]: Yes! This one has taste!

Clarity

Kate [walks up to dad and hugs him]: Dad, I love you.

Dad: I love yo..

Kate [interrupting and to the point]: Can I play with the iPhone? That's the main reason I came in.

Self-reliance

Jane [while driving in the car with dad, having just dropped Andy and Kate at school, spots a toy on the car floor]: Dad! I want that doll!

Dad [glances backward over the seat, spots the doll, tries to reach it but finds it out of grasp]: I'm sorry, Jane, I can't reach it.

Jane [pauses, then replies soothingly]: Okay, I got it.

Dad's note: Jane did in fact try to reach the toy only to find that her car seat's restraints held her still. I still admire her gumption.