me: (talking about how she should use words to tell how she is feeling instead of whiny noises)
Olive: It's like you need to shape your emotions into words. Like play-doh. It's all gloppy and then you form it into something. You need to form your emotions into words.
Hannah: That's not what I planned.
me: Well, plans change. You have to be flexible.
Hannah: I don't want to change my plans.
Olive: You're being a toothpick.
me: What?
Olive: She needs to be more like a pipe cleaner. That is flexible. Toothpicks break when you try to bend them.
(We later learned this is something her teacher says.)
me: What do you want for lunch?
Olive: I know what Hannah wants. A toasted peanut butter and nutella sandwich.
Hannah: Yeah.
Olive: She loves eating those! And I love making those for her to eat!
(later when the sandwiches were made)
Olive: Hannah said it was too cold.
me: I'd tell Hannah to deal with it.
Olive: No! She won't deal with it. I'll deal with it!
(puts it in the microwave)
(jogging together)
me: You are doing a good job. I know it is tough, but I'm proud of you for trying. You are becoming a runner!
Olive: Becoming is better than being.
me: What? Where did you hear that?
Olive: It is on a poster in my classroom.
me: What do you think it means?
Olive: You have to keep trying.
me: You are a smart cookie.
Olive: I know. It's because of you and my teacher.
