My daughter Julia came to live with me two years ago for school. It isn't easy for me to raise someone who is practically my nine-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.

Ha Birthday

Daddy and Julia are at the grocery store shopping.  Julia’s birthday is in a week and she finds a cute set of thirteen candles that spell “HAPPY BIRTHDAY.”

Julia:  Daddy, may I get these for my birthday cake?    

Daddy:  Sure.  (pause)  However, there are thirteen candles and you’ll only be ten.  What do you plan to spell:  “Ha Birthday” or “Happy Birth?”

Julia:  What do you mean? 

Daddy:  You are only allowed to use ten candles.  What do you plan to spell:  “Ha Birthday” or “Happy Birth?”  You aren’t old enough to spell “Happy Birthday.”

Julia:  Are you joking?