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Priya is now 6. We went to Elmwood today. On the ride there, she told me it’s close to Irene’s house. It’s not, but Priya argued when I said so. She also argued with me when I pointed out Kim’s house. “That’s not it.” “Yes, it is.”
And when we got to Elmwood, the parking lot was filled with UNO students’ cars. I said I wasn’t sure if we’d find a spot. She said, “We always do.” We did.
When we got out, she tried to jump on my shadow head. I would run ahead, stop suddenly, duck. Then I’d try to step on hers.
Then we played on the playground, the swings, the exercise equipment that is oddly placed in this park and supposed to be used only by people age 14 or over. Oops. We played grumpy troll: I would try to cross the bridge, the path, the stairs when a grumpy troll (Priya) would jump out and stop me and ask me riddles—three per stop, and each based on a different theme, like Christmas or Halloween.
We thought about getting hot chocolate or lunch. But Priya decided she wanted just plain chocolate and to have lunch at home.
In the car, she started many sentences with, “Just to tell you,” which sometimes meant “I know something you don’t” and sometimes meant “Here’s a story you might like to hear.” She told me many animal facts and asked me quiz questions about dinosaurs she hoped would stump me.
When we walked into Whole Foods (to purchase chocolate), she took my hand, and the day was complete.