It's pretty windy here tonight, and not long after we had the kids in bed, Miranda was on the landing, crying that she was scared. I went upstairs and lay down in the spare bed in her room -- Xavier is showing self-sufficient tendencies and insisted upon sleeping in his room -- and said, "You don't need to be afraid, sweetie. Remember what I told you about the wind?"
What I've told the kids about the wind -- and the incredible creaking noises that our house makes -- is that the wind is giving the house a massage, and the thumping and creaking is just the house moaning in relief. I don't know if Xavier buys it, but Miranda knows it is complete hogwash. Sometimes she'll play along, but tonight she just gave me a wan smile.
"I'll stay here for five minutes until you calm down," I said, "But, really, if there was anything to be afraid of, I would be up here so fast to get you and Xavier that your little heads would spin."
That seemed to reassure her a little, and she settled back on her bed. I lay on the spare bed trying hard not to fall asleep, pondering the things I needed to get done -- printing party invitations, filling out Miranda's application for kindergarten. Just as I thought she was falling asleep, Miranda piped up, "Mommy?"
"Yes, sweetie?"
"I know you think the wind sounds like it is giving the house a massage, but sometimes, when it rumbles really loudly, it sounds like a dinosaur, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I guess it does," I replied.
A few minutes later, I left. She was still awake, but already dreaming about her first love, paleontology.
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Because as soon as she hears "thermal" and "heating", she'll ask if the house is going to turn into a dragon.
She is a strangely imaginative child for one who is so interested in science.
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