We climbed a parental mountaintop the other day...having a successful overnight stay at Aunt Miss's house. There had been one previous attempt that ended up unsuccessful with a panic filled call at ten forty-five p.m. It started with whimpering, then "Where's Mommy?", then a couple of soothing attempts, and then finally the call. But this time...right through the night..what a big girl she is. So much so that she totally blew me off when I went to pick her up the next day at lunch; sunglasses on, rolling luggage packed, she looked as if she were headed to LAX for her first shopping spree on Melrose. I left there depressed, thinking how quickly my little girl was growing up and how she didn't need me anymore.

Fortunately the next night all became well again. Senia Mae and I were tossing the ball around together after I got home from work, chumming up before she goes to bed and I felt that warmness that fills my heart when we have those special moments. A few minutes later she comes into our bedroom with an armful of stuffed animals (the whole slew of bedtime buddies required for a full night's sleep) and her nighttime sip-pie cup. I knew what this routine was but wanted to ask anyway.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Bringing my animals in so we can all go to bed.", she said matter of factly, as if I should already know.

"Well there's not enough room in here for me, you, all of your animals, and mommy Kim. The bed is just not big enough for all of us." I said my words thinking that my rationale would coerce her back into her own room for the night. No.

"That's o.k, Mama. Mommy Kim can just sleep on the couch!"

I nearly died with laughter and suddenly all was right with the world again.