"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

My daughter Emily is going to be 6 years old next week. I can't believe that it has been 6 years since the happiest moment of my life turned into the scariest. I went from "Look at this beautiful angel sent to me!" to "OK, how long before I screw THIS up?" I'm lucky in the fact that Emily still respects her parents, grandparents, uncles - basically she loves everyone. She's also incredibly intelligent for a kid her age.

SIDE NOTE - I was an extremely intelligent child - learned to read at a very early age, and was basically a bookworm/nerd all throughout elementary school, so the intelligence thing doesn't surprise me.

Bird (that's her nickname - when she was born, her mouth was open like a baby bird looking for food, so from age 30 seconds, she has been Bird, or Birdie) also has been blessed with a steel trap for a memory. When I was back in school last year studying to become a Medical Assistant, Bird was constantly looking at my books. "Daddy, is this the body?" "Yes it is honey" "I want to learn about the body too"

So, last year, she's in the pre-k program at Holy Trinity School - and they have a book fair. Emily wants money for a book - I figure it will end up being some Dora the Explorer book, but she gets a children's book on the human body, and she knows that book inside out now.

So when Bird grows up - she's going to be the next.......wait for it......


Billy Mays


As you quit giggling, let me explain. This warped little child has/had a FASCINATION with that man. No matter what she saw on TV, if he was selling it, she wanted it. I had to buy something to repair a tear in my hockey equipment, so I bought some of that Mighty Mendit - and his face was on the box - she was CHEERING around the house. She knows the words and catchphrase to every infomercial, and she was DEVASTATED when I told her that Billy Mays was in heaven with her Grandfather.

She has wanted the little mini hamburger pan (they call it a Slider maker) for the last two years! SHE ASKED FOR IT FOR CHRISTMAS!

So, if they ever decide to do infomercials for kids products, toys and that sort of thing, don't be surprised if you hear "HI - EMILY WINTERS HERE FOR THE _________"

And I would be so proud!!