SIZE MATTERS

Ellery is always looking for an excuse to get out of bed.  The other night, she came out and said plaintively, "Guys, my hand is itchy." 

"Well, scratch it!" I replied.

"I can't scratch it with these little fingers!" she retorted indignantly.

I gave it a good scratch with my big fingers, she gave a contented sigh, and headed back to bed.

HEAVEN ON EARTH

Ellery was going to visit Grandma Vi and said in anticipation, "Mom, you know what I like about going to Grandma's house?"

"No, what?" I replied.

Ellery's eyes looked dreamily off in the distance and her voice took on a tone of wonderment as if she were anticipating a trip to Fairyland.  "She never makes me clean!" she marveled.  "I always make a mess and I never have to clean it up!"

TAKE THIS DOWN

Ellery:  Mom, will you write something down for me?

Mom:  Sure, what is it?

Ellery:  It's a list of what I need to make my new invention.

Mom:  Okay.  Go ahead.

Ellery:  - a mystery part,

- I really, really need some bandages in case it breaks,

- a cup with juice in it,

- a ball.

IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING

We were on our way to Bixby's faraway birthday party.  Ellery was already disconsolate due to receiving four shots the previous day.  After we'd been driving for almost an hour, she asked her sister woefully, "Liz?  Are we in the middle of nowhere?"

"Yes, Ellery.  Yes we are."

"That's my problem!" she burst out in despair.

GOTTA HAVE FAITH

After I nagged Ellery to clean up her clutter one too many times:

Ellery:  Did you hear me praying?

Mom:  No.  What were you praying about?

Ellery:  I was praying that you would like messes.

BRAIN POWER

The garage door was not working properly and Glenn was working on fixing it.  It was time for me to go.  I headed out to the garage and Ellery said, "You can't go!  The door doesn't work!"

"Oh no!" I replied.  "What should I do?"

"I don't know," said Ellery.

"Can you think of an idea?" I asked.

"Okay, I'll try," she said.  "I'm going to think big!  You'd better stand back."