This reminds me of ....spaghetti.

The switch has been turned. Four years old is SO much different than three! And it wasn't the birthday party that did it.... it has been coming up gradually, but now that it's official, Sophie has become a totally different person.

Old Sophie:
Took naps every day and loved her quiet time.

New Sophie:
Naps? Not on your life!

Refused to take her turns saying prayers.

Insists on saying the prayers at every meal, family prayer and otherwise.

Had no interest in any sort of structured, educational entertainment.

First thing she wants to do every day is her "homework"!

Used to enjoy "helping" mommy around the house.

Chores are a four-letter word to her now.

Loved to announce when it was time to "take care of business"and make a big deal about it.

Has potty accidents all over the house and the only way I can tell she did is when she suddenly shows up wearing a different outfit.

Vegetables.

No vegetables.

Used to get frustrated when her sisters laughed at something cute she said or did.

Is now the self-appointed family comic relief. If she said something once that somebody laughed at, it should be funny every time.

Such as the blog post title. We were watching Star Wars one night, and the scene on Tatooine when we first meet Anakin comes on the screen, and suddenly Sophie pipes up, "That reminds me of spaghetti."

Huh?

We stopped the movie and rewound it. We watched the scene again, looking for any signs of pasta in the background, but to no avail. We asked her, "What do you mean?" And Sophie just smiled and said. "I like spaghetti. And I like Star Wars. So this reminds me of spaghetti."

And we laughed. Don't ask me why. It made total sense to her, and I was afraid that she would feel wounded at our amusement, but she didn't. She knew exactly what she was doing. She had the center of attention in the moment, and realized that she had found her gift.

So the die is cast. My youngest child has become the family court jester. And now everything reminds Sophie of spaghetti. (At least she's not scoping out porta-potties anymore!)

Heaven forbid, you should all think that I'm one of those parents that think everything that comes out of their kids' mouths is hysterical, and expect that all of you are rolling on the ground right now, and be mortally offended if you're not. I don't expect any of you to think this is funny. I expect lots and lots of sympathy, however, and possibly even empathy, for the people preparing my padded cell. I'm going to be needing it sooner than I thought.