On Driving and Sisters

Nora is in the recurring narrative stage of the (almost) two year-old. I remember it with Sylvie also. A particular narrative sticks with them and must be repeated, daily, for weeks at a time. Nora has had a few recently. One involves a mother with a baby we saw waiting for a bus. Another involves the day we went to our friend Zoe's house. I needed to pick up something from her mom, but Zoe was sick so Nora waited in the car. For about 3 weeks, Nora and I had a conversation like this everyday, and still occasionally.

Nora: Zoe. Sick.

Me: Zoe was sick.

Nora: Now better?

Me: Yes, now she's better.

Since posts are better with pictures, I will insert a picture of Nora "holda the chicken all myself" here:

Most recently though, Nora is stuck on a narrative involving driving, sort of. It started, of course, with her big sister. Sylvie is very clear on what she will drive when she is older. (Age 15, as she learned, although we will revisit  the discussion, as agreed upon, when she is 11). Sylvie wants to drive a light blue cement mixer. (Off-topic, Sylvie has also requested a California king snake named Nancy for her birthday.) So obviously Nora had to decide what she will drive when she is older too, and Nora has chosen a tiger. Everyday, for several days running, we've had a conversation like this:

Nora: Nora drive tigee.

Me: Nora wants to drive a tiger.

Nora: Share Mama?

Me: Yes Nora, I want to share your tiger.

Nora: No. Own.

Me: OK, you can have your own tiger.

Nora: No, share Mama. Take turns?

Me: Yes, let's take turns on your tiger.

If Sylvie is nearby during this conversation, she will point out with great exasperation that you don't DRIVE a tiger, you RIDE a tiger, and I guess that's what big sisters are for. Although recently when I ran out to the car for something, Nora was scared that I left and Sylvie told me when I came back that she had hugged Nora when she was scared "because that's what sisters are for." Fortunately, sisters are not only for crushing your dreams of driving a tiger.

Insert picture of sisters holding chickens here: