My daughter Julia came to live with me a year ago for school. It isn't easy for me to raise someone who is practically my 8-year-old clone, but that is exactly what I find I am doing with Julia. Through our judo and soccer practices, reading, writing and arithmetic, Girl Scouts, and Japanese language classes, we occasionally have a conversation that connects us both in a sometimes deep and usually humorous way. Hopefully, you will be as entertained as we are.

Boys! Boys! Boys!

Daddy is driving in the car with Julia, and she wants to play some Lady Gaga on the radio. Daddy impulsively sings at the suggestion…

Daddy: Boys! Boys! Boys! Driving around in Caaa-aaars! Boys! Boys! Boys! Buying drinks in baaaa-aaars!

Julia: DADDY! STOP!

(pause)

Daddy: What? I’m just singing…

Julia: STOP!

Daddy: I’m just…

Julia: STOP!