Mini Me

Awhile ago our family was standing around in the family room talking about something and Grace made a suggestion of what to do next - I have completely forgotten the context, but it was something that wasn't especially workable.  Charlotte wheeled around with this kind of bossy/didactic tone told Grace exactly why her plan was flawed.  I looked up and Derek and I locked eyes right at that moment and I said out loud to him what I knew he was thinking, "yeah, the kid does a pretty good impression of me." You probably had to be there but trust me, it was uncanny. 

It was not the first time or the last that I have been struck by watching Charlotte emulate me, often while talking to Grace or Eli or Kat.  Honestly, it's not always a reflection of myself that I find particularly flattering, but there it is.  She also loves to make detailed plans like I do and she and I have butted heads many times over our conflicting visions for some project or another.  Derek laughs about it and he is always the first to point out that she's just like me in these moments.  Then, I laugh too.  Sort of.  Through gritted teeth.

Eli isn't much into imitating others at all at this age, at least on purpose.  But I came upon him like this yesterday and went to grab the camera.  He's lying on the couch, looking at my phone and watching tv, in the spot and posture where I had just been a few minutes earlier.  Kid knows a good thing when he sees it.

Playing his Super Why game on the iPhone 

Glancing up to follow the action in Barney on tv 

Noticing the camera pointed at him.

Melting Mama's heart.