Ezra (holding letters to his preschool teachers): I'm going to get lots of letters! Maybe Jen and Karis will send me dollars!
Me: Honey, you shouldn't ask people to send you dollars. I know Granny and Mema sometimes send you dollars in the mail, but that's just because they're family.
Ezra: No, they're not our family.
Me: Yes, they are. There's what's called "immediate family," or "nuclear family," and those are the people that live in our house--you, me, Jude and Mama. Then there's "extended family," and that includes your grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and everybody.
Ezra: Oh. Are Katie and Blake my extended family?
Me: Yes, they are!
Ezra: Do they send me dollars?

Me: Look, the seitan came out of the oven.
Ezra: All by itself?

Ezra: Mommy, Sammy's kind of like a superhero, because he looks out for things while we're away.

Ezra found me holding an ice pack to my face.
Ezra: Why you doing that?
Me: Because Jude threw a book at my face and it hurt.
Ezra: What book was it?

Ezra: Mommy, Jude is the cutest little baby in the whole world. Because he say baby words all day, and it sound really really cute.

Ezra's writing letters to his preschool friends this afternoon, and I'm transcribing. My favorite so far reads, "You're my best friend. Come over to my house and share my puppy. Please send me a valentine and a dollar."

Ezra: Mommy, I'm gonna show you my rad moves, and then you can do my moves next time you go dancing.
Me and Lauren: Ooh! Good one! Nice move!
Lauren: I'll dance with you, big guy. [leans over and starts swinging her arms]
Ezra: Uh, Mama, that's kind of creepy.