Good question...

Driving back from our math class we were playing our usual word game: the next person has to call out a word that starts at the same letter as the previous one ended with.

We came across the word -- hymn and Gwenchik didn't know what that meant. So I tried to explain and even managed to sing a few lines of the old Soviet Union one that I remembered from childhood. And even though I know that the American one is "Star Spangled Banner" I couldn't remember it. Another word was labyrinth and again I was able to explain it, but then proceeded to tell the Greek myth about Theseus and Ariadne, but couldn't remember the finer points, just the main plot. So we agreed that once we get home we will ask Daddy about both the myth and the hymn and look it up on the internet.

Gwen: Mom if you do not know the American hymn and do not remember why Ariadne was locked with the Minotaur --- what do you know? When I grow up will I forget everything as well?

Pennies to the rescue

I had a really difficult day at work and came home really tired and discouraged. While preparing dinner with George we were discussing our options, one of which was for me to just walk away... Gwenchik was playing in her room, so we were surprised when during dinner

Gwen: Mommy, I want you to be happy! And I know you like working and need to work to make money.
Me: Yes, that is true.
Gwen: But if you do not like it anymore and can't work at Papa's fun place I have my piggy bank. I can give you all the pennies, so than you do not have to work and I will start collecting them again, and give them to you again.

Let's hope she remembers this in 15 years

From George
Apropos of nothing, over dinner:
Gwen: Papa, when I grow up, will you and Mama pick me a husband?
Me: Well, I don't know; most grown-up women want to pick their own husbands, not have their parents do it for them. We can help, I guess...
Gwen: But what if I pick a bad one? One that doesn't know how to drive, or doesn't want to clean the house, or something else? That's why I want you to pick one for me. You're parents, you know who will be a good husband, so you will be able to pick out the right one.

Skeleton

Santa brought Gwenchik a long awaited camera, so on Friday we went to MFA to catch a photography exhibit to learn what one can do with the camera. The picture that my daughter was the most an awe with was a portrait of a man from infancy to death in about 30 frames. She was just amazed!

Today, several days later:
Gwen: I will be very very old when you become a skeleton, right?
Me: Right.
Gwen: 20 years old and than I will become a skeleton as well. I need to start taking pictures now.

Presents from Santa

Gwenchik woke us up really, really early today and came rushing into our room jumping up and down.

Gwen: I got presents from Santa!!! And I got my CAMERA, real camera now so I do not need to behave well until the old new year. (we accidentally left all of the presents out not just the one)
.....

Traditionally, Santa brings one present on the first day of the year and another one on the way back to the North Pole, the old new year on the 13th, for really good behavior.

Gwen: Mom, and you got a really small box. Can this be a real present? What can possibly fit into such a small box? I thought you behaved well all year.