Halloween

This year Gwenchik decided that she will be a pirate -- lately there is this pirate theme in her life, partly thanks to the "Pirate Day" celebrated in school this fall. And a boy who was coming over for the Halloween candy collecting though our neighborhood was very surprised at that.
Gwen: Can you believe it, he was surprised that I want to be a pirate vs a princess!
Me: Well, it is reasonable to expect a girl to be a princess on Halloween...
Gwen: I am so done with princesses -- I have been one kind or the other (Russian, Vampire, Pocahontas  etc) almost all my life. Now I am ready for and adventure and that always starts with the unexpected -- a girl-pirate.

Parents still cool

Gwenchik and I went to Target to pick up some supplies, and while their decided to use a motorized chair to navigate the store considering that I am already 8 months along. The chair would make loud noses when backing up and in general attracted a lot of attention.
Gwen: Mom, you are so cool! You do not seem to care that everyone is looking! Can we just ride around the store one big circle?
....
After several circles, and her riding on my lap (against the general rule, but still fun) pressing buttons
Gwen: You are so cool, not like other moms -- you actually know how to break the rules and not be caught doing it -- and when you are caught -- everyone just smiles and goes along!

The year of the Dragon

Gwenchik returning from her Sunday Russian Math class.
Gwen: One of the boys in class was happily telling everyone that tomorrow is the New Year, but no one knew what he was talking about! I just casually mentioned, that of course, it will be the celebration of the year of the Dragon, and he was so, so impressed!
Me: That is great.
Gwen: It is so nice that I have parents who know these things, then I look so cool.

First day at school

My God, Gwenchik is already in third grade! She got up really early today to prepare for the first day at school -- uniform, braids and to come up with the "cool list" for the intro circle.

Me: You went to Toronto this summer.

Gwen: Everyone goes to Canada, what's cool about that?

George: You have two cats, one of which has six toes.

Gwen: Wow, that is actually cool.

.....

Me: Your Dad works for Google.

Gwen: Oh, I forgot -- Google is really cool!

What is really important

We spent an hour with a group of new kids -- singing, dancing and playing around. Ultimately, Gwenchik ended up running around like crazy playing catch up with them. As we are driving home she reflects:

Gwen: I was the fastest one, right?

Me: Yes, but is it really that important?

Gwen: Honestly yes, but if anyone else asks -- it is more important to play.