Parrot

We live with a parrot. One far beyond, "Polly want a cracker."

Maya wants to try every word, every expression, every cadence of what you say on for size.

Here's a snapshot:

"Ladypop? This ladypop?" inquiring about the correct term for a lollipop.

We saw a fish tank with the pretty, smooth stones in the bottom among all the colorful pebbles. They looked a bit like Mentos. Ella said, "Ohhh, it's like there are mints in the water."

"Mints! Water!" She screams. Because it has more effect if you yell it.

"Shhhh, Maya we need to be quiet in here," we tell her.

"Maya. Quiet," she whispers back, before taking off on a full sprint toward the other end of the waiting room, cackling all the way.