Artists

Before dinner tonight Jack saw something and asked what it was, and Emily said it was for Mikey, since his birthday was coming up. And Jack said, I want to make a card for Mikey. And so he did. I was in the kitchen, and here's what I heard.

Jack: "I'm going to draw Mikey a Bionicle. How do you spell Bionicle?"

"I also want to make Star Wars. Mikey likes Star Wars. He's going to think it's so cool!"

"I made Mikey a picture of a gun. I know there's no guns allowed in the house. But, it's a Star Wars gun. (Pause.) Because Mikey likes Star Wars. (Pause.) It's a laser gun."

"He's gonna really like this. He'll be so excited."

"I want to put Abbey's name on the card too. How do you spell Abbey?"

Emily: "I don't think Abbey likes Bionicles and Star Wars. We should make Abbey her own card."

Jack: "OK. What does Abbey like? Does she like castles? I'm going to make a castle with a Queen in it. And a dungeon."

"This is the dungeon. How do you spell dungeon?"

Kate came into the kitchen. Big, hopeful smile on her face. "Goldfish?" No, Kate. Dinner's in 5 minutes.

Kate came into the kitchen again. Earnest, proud smile on her face. Holding up a piece of paper which she'd colored on with three or four different colors. Her artwork. "Mine," she said. Holding it up so I could see. Very proud. That's a great picture, Kate. Sweet smile from her.

She returned to the living room. I looked in after her. She was crouching down near Jack, who was still busily drawing. She wanted to show him her picture. "My picture," she said. Jack was oblivious. Emily: "Jack, Kate wants to show you her picture. Jack? Jack, please tell Kate it's a nice picture."

Jack looked up. "That's a nice picture, Kate."

Kate was happy.