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Pink Stinks


Our girls, like most four-year-old girls, love pink.  And purple.  And sparkly things, unicorns, butterflies, lizards and cats.  But especially pink.  Their brothers aren't so fond of pink.  They prefer the color dirt.  I know this because it's what they have chosen for the color of our walls, windows, light switches and their socks.  
"Do you like pink?"  Emerson asked Fischer one day not long ago.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because pink stinks!"
Cue 'angry tears and screaming.'
This of course delighted her brother who began using the line anytime he wanted to see her cry.  Which was often.  It didn't change her passion for the color, however.  She still demanded the pink plate, pink cup, pink shirt, pink shoes, and pink gum if she had the choice.  Because pink is the best when you're four.  
Fast forward a couple of weeks.  The girls were collecting pieces of garbage off the van floor.  Why?  I don't know, but who am I to stop them from cleaning?  Carter reached for one, but Emerson got it.
"Can I have that one?"  Carter asked.
"No," replied Emerson reaching for another.
"Can I have that one?" Carter asked, frustrated that she wasn't getting as many.  
"No," said Emerson.  
Apparently, trash was a hot commodity that day because that enraged Carter.  Her face crumpled and she shouted at Emmy, "I don't like pink for a week!  I don't like pink ever!"
Emerson looked at her stunned.  Slowly, she handed Carter an empty bag of goldfish crackers.  "Now you like pink?" she asked quietly.
Carter crossed her arms, turned her head and let out a "Hmph!"
Emerson handed her another piece of trash.  "Do you like pink now?"
Carter looked at her new piece of trash then looked at Emerson.  Her face relaxed and she smiled, "I like pink now."
"Okay," Emerson replied, and they both went back to happily gathering garbage together.  
Meanwhile, I was still staring, wondering what had just happened, "So this is how it works with girls?" I wondered.  Two years ago they were biting each other in the face, and now it's "pink stinks."  Maybe girls aren't going to be so hard after all...maybe.   

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