MY LITTLE GRAMMARIAN

Ellery and Mom were getting ready to go to the zoo.

"Here's your shoes," Mom said as she handed them to Ellery.

"It would sound better to say, 'Here are your shoes.'" Ellery corrected gently.

Ellery had been sick all week. She told me sadly, "I feel a little unconscious in my belly."

***

When she returned to school after missing a whole week, Ellery was very excited to see everyone and to have everyone see her. It happened to be Valentines Day, however, and her classmates were all buzzing about what kind of valentines and party snacks they had brought.

Disappointed at their lack of interest in her, Ellery said tragically, "It's like I don't even exist!"

WHAT DANE SAYS

Dane discovered a cut on his foot. He immediately called Mimi to tell her all about his "short cut."

Dane and Mimi were playing with beads. A little later, Dane asked, "Mimi, could we play with those beetles again?"

Dane: Mimi, could you give me too many crackers?

THERE'S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SOLVE A MATH PROBLEM

Ellery was working on her homework.

Kim has 7 toy cars. Sam has 6 toy cars. How many toy cars do they have? Show your strategy for solving.

Ellery drew herself with a talk bubble saying, "Mom, what's 7+6?" and Mom with a talk bubble saying, "13."

MOM JUST CAN'T TELL A JOKE

Ellery: How are an elephant and a tree the same?

Mom: They both have trunks?

Ellery: (disappointed) I was supposed to say that and it was supposed to be funny.

IN TRAINING

Mom came into the living room to see Ellery perched on a stool, a towel spread out in front of her and her feet in a little Tupperware container full of water.

"What are you doing?" Mom asked, bewildered.

"I'm practicing getting my feet cold for when I play in the snow."

THANKSGIVING

Mom: I'm thankful I have you for a daughter.

Ellery: Me too. And I'm thankful for good food. And I'm thankful for Henry (the parrot). Are you still thankful for Henry even though he just peed?