Little Miss Thing, age 7: “Daddy, I just drew a portrait of Mama from my notepad. Do you want me to draw you, too?”

Me: “Of course! That sounds delightful.”

(perches on couch, staring at me)

(pencil scratching noises)

LMT: “No, that’s no good. It doesn’t even look like you.”

(crumples paper, throws on floor)

(pencil scratching noises)

LMT: “Nope. I hate this one.”

(crumples paper, throws on floor)

(pencil scratching noises)

LMT: “Here you go! Looks just like you!”

(hands me drawing)

Me: “Awww, honey that’s perfect. It looks just like me.”

LMT: “You can have it. Hang it up wherever you want.”

Me: “Thanks.”