Kitty is an amazing being. She is funny and smart and loving and, well, vibrant. She also challenges me in ways that Jack never has... or at least I don't remember. I told my mother-in-law the other day that Kitty's motto is "Ask for forgiveness, not permission." She is very sure and determined about how she goes about her daily life. She thinks nothing of taking the pepperoni out of the fridge and eating half the bag, or cutting a Curious George book up in to squares. The other day I had set her up with paper and watercolors and the next thing I knew she had painted a great deal of our wooden dollhouse. I posted on facebook about that one and my friend Tom, who went to RISD with me, posted that he remembered a woman pasting words all over her sofa. THAT made me laugh in recognition. Today Kitty came downstairs and said, "Sorry Mommy." I said, "Sorry for what?" She replied, "I didn't mean to hurt the cats (plural.)" I said, "But you did?" She nodded in the affirmative. The other night I was lying with her in bed trying to get her to sleep. She was really keyed up for some reason. She was making all of her stuffed puppies (there are many) talk. She would say, "Oh puppy... not now it's time for sleeping. Oh puppy, you are being naughty. OH PUPPY, not again!" The was a bit of silence and then a small voice said, "Kitty's mommy! Kitty's mommy!" I turned over and saw it was Stan the rabbit (her original lovey) calling me. "Yes Stan?" I said. "I love you Kitty's mommy." came the small rabbit voice. Moments like that are just joy personified.