Hope is thoroughly convinced that Michelle is a "zoologist"; a profession Hope learned about at the science center. In many ways Hope's right. Michelle is a champion for nature and one of the most informed people I've ever known.
Both Michelle and Hope love frogs and so, when Michelle told me she was sending Hope a little toy critter, I assumed it was a frog. It was a turtle. Not to worry. As Hope opened the package she exclaimed "it's a turtle, a turtle, I love turtles!!. They have their own homes you know."
Turtle joined Hope in preparing morning tea.
One must always freshen up after tea.
I will admit that not every moment is magical. I am trying to teach Hope that she needs to do things that interest other people; not everyone is into pink and princesses and tea parties. Sometimes these moments get a wee bit dramatic.
There's cajoling and there's tot rage.
It never lasts long (especially when a new turtle is involved) and Hope soon remembers that she likes lots of things.
Like football. She loves football. One of her first words was "touchdown".
We decided to test turtle's athletic ability.
Typical Jet, he couldn't get down field. Hope decided to pull a Belichick and cheat. She'd airlift turtle into the end zone.
After that there was no end to where turtle could go and what he could do.
And so 'Frog Turtle' is settled into his new family. Comfy and cozy and loved.
I'm sure you've noticed that turtle wears the pink ribbons of breast cancer awareness and that Hope is wearing a pink 'Girls Fight Hard' bracelet. Michelle sent these things because Hope and Nana are on her team. The team that supports her and cheers her along as she becomes a breast cancer survivor.
I wanted to fix my hair and put on some make-up so we could take a photo together to send Michelle.
"You look fine Nana"
"I look tired and messy"
"You look fine Nana. You said I didn't need lipstick. So you don't need it too."
Ah, my words used against me.
At the last moment, as I tried to get us into the frame and balance the camera, Hope put her "spring glasses" on me.
"Wear sunglasses Nana, that's what models do when they don't want people to see them"
One last thing. I didn't feel Hope was old enough for a discussion about cancer but I did realize that she understood that the ribbons and bracelet stood for something and she does know that sometimes people get very sick. I told her that Michelle had some problems the way I had problems with my back and my muscles.
"So Michelle has back problems too?"
"No, Michelle has some trouble with her breasts"
"You mean boobies" Hope says smiling. I say yes, fine, we'll call them boobies.
"Tell Michelle it's OK, boobies are pretty silly anyway"
And on we go ...
