Deposition practice

Kate: Dad, remember when you were a kid?

Dad: Yes.

K: Did you like t.v.?

A silver lining

Kate [turns her head to sneeze and lands it on dad]: You have to say 'bless you.'

Dad: How about 'bless daddy' because you sneezed on him?

K: Now you have Kateness germs.

D: Is that good or bad?

K: It's good. Kateness germs bring good luck.

The feel of Monday morning

Kate woke up with ferociously tangled hair. Dad got her moving and she started to respond.

Dad: You look like a truck ran over you.

Kate: Yeah.

D: Did a truck run over you?

K: No, it just feels that way.

For limited production

While explaining the setting of a tea party for much of her inanimate friends, Kate rattled off the ingredients in the delicacies, from cookies to hot cocoa. Unsurprisingly, the 'little something extra' in each is, in fact, Kateness.

Dad [obviously impressed]: You've done a great job. The animals all look very happy.

On cue, we hear a should of discontent from Jane, downstairs, who has learned that if she yells, "Mom!," she gets a faster response.

Kate: Jane doesn't sound as happy. She needs some Kateness.

Diligence

Jane [spotting a package of gum on the counter, turns to Dad]: I want gum.

Dad: No, you can't have gum.

Jane [pauses, then looks back at Dad]: Daddy!

Dad: Yes?

Jane: I want gum!

Dad: No, you can't have gum.

Jane: [thinks, then in a sing-song voice followed with a big smile]: Daaaad-y!

And so forth.

How to influence others and yourself

Kate has been practicing batting her eyes and smiling when making grand requests. (E.g. Can I have some more Rice Crispies? Frantic eyelash fluttering.)

She then remarked, "I'm so cute I make myself laugh."

Conversation