Girls are the flowers. Boys are the weeds.
(iShirted.net) That’s a quote from my 7-year-old daughter. She’s obviously brilliant. It’s already been parlayed into t-shirts at iShirted.net and there’s no telling where else it may pop up. She has a unique perspective since she has a twin brother. There is so much truth to the whole “out of the mouths of babes” thing. So much to learn from our kids.
Sophia at the wedding 9-6-08 as seen through the lens of Penny Northcutt
Mine were put in the interesting position of attending my second (and final) wedding. In fact, we had all three of our kids stand beside us as we made vows not only to each other, but to each others’ children. Shortly after the ceremony, my then 6-year-old daughter, Sophia, walked up beside me and took my hand and said, “Daddy, can I talk to you alone for a minute?” I don’t know a father who could refuse such an offer. She then asked, “Is marrying someone important?” Wow. That’s a loaded question – one made more difficult to explain in the face of her mother and I no longer being married. Still, I took great pleasure in taking the time to explain that everyone who gets married wants to get married once, for life. Sometimes, for any number of reasons, it doesn’t happen that way. Actually, I explained a lot more than that, but that’s a conversation between she and I that I will never forget.
In between the concerned calls or emails from teachers (even on Spring Break), the repeated cases of strep throat, the mud tracks through the living room, the clothes all over the floor, the tears when you make them eat their peas, the dirty limericks they pick up and pass on, the teenage attitude they’re now showing at the age of 8, their blind devotion to whatever is on the Disney Channel, the boy peeing in the litter box (yes, it happened), the girl cutting her own hair (yes, it happened), and every other crazy thing they bring into your lives – take time to listen. Teaching is good. Reprimanding is necessary. Encouragement is essential. Listening is priceless. You’ll be amazed at how much they will teach you.
Little Drops of Nectar 
Your daughter is a genius. Great post!
Good points…but mostly, I cracked up at the fact that Sam pee’d in the litter box. That’s too darn funny. Oh, and great pic of Sophia…I wonder who took it…ha!