I heard recently that scientists have pinned down the age kids go from adorable to annoying. It is 4.5 years old. I am thinking about this when Elisa comes into the room and says to me, “Baba, teach me all English”. I know why she is asking and her intent is pure. She is just so perfect for a toddler not quite four. I know this moment, the way she is at this precise age, will be gone. It will be gone before I even notice it. That’s just the way kids age in a parent’s eyes. It’s like seeing that one week old baby and remembering what your kids where like then. Even if that memory is hard to grasp.

The only way not to be overwhelmed by both the joy and the sorrow of their perfection at this precise moment in time is to live in this moment in time. Because if you don’t, it will be gone. Lost to nostalgia and whimsical memories that the brain twists for its own convenience. Which is kind of why I started this blog and why it will never really live up to its intent.

So at that moment in time Elisa asked me to teach her “all English” was when two neighbor kids were in our house and practicing an English speech. One kid is Lydia’s best friend, Naomi, and is pasty white with blond hair. English is her third of forth best language behind Chinese, French, and Polish. The other neighbor kid I had not seen before or since or I don’t remember either tense. He is Chinese heritage and his father who I had also never met was standing in our living room leading the recital. Elisa was observing before retreating to the back bedroom and asking me to teach her “all English”.

Now that I right this, I’m not really sure why Elisa wanted to learn all English. I can guess, but it would be guesses of an adult. Elisa probably had her own reasons. Such is the life of a near four year old. Catch it while you can.