The list of things you need to know about Mini Me, in case it ever comes up

The last two weeks, I wrote up a list of the requirements for my boys, just in case I make good on that threat to run away someday. Today, it's Mini Me's turn.  My younger daughter.  The one, who for better or worse, is more like her mama than any of the rest of them.


Here's all the things you need to know about her in the event you ever find her in your care.

1) She has always been the best sleeper of the kids.  When she's tired, she doesn't fight it. If you ever wake up in the morning and see her curled up in a ball on the floor, she's sick.  She'll stay that way until she feels better.

2) She loves to write and take pictures.  This makes me a pretty proud mama, and I'm sure you would understand why.

3) She has eczema that flares up pretty regularly.  Start studying up on which creams and ointments you'll need to keep in the arsenal.  The good cream in the jar is almost always the answer.

4) She can paint the nails on her left hand just fine, but will ask you to help with the right.

5) She loves to steal high heeled shoes from other people's closets.  It'll make you nervous, but she can go up and down stairs in them just fine.  Heck, she can even run in them already.

She's my crime fighting partner.

6) If she tells you she wants her chicken, here's the recipe.  Boneless, skinless thighs, marinated in soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice and ginger for a day, then grilled.  It's the easiest way to her heart.

7) She is allergic to the most bizarre things, so keep an eye on her at all times.  Avoid any penicillin based antibiotics (trust me on this one, she has the one in a million freak reactions, not just hives).

8) Good luck finding sunscreen that she isn't allergic to.

9) She has a freckle in her eye.  It's pretty much the cutest thing ever.

10) She always wants to help with dinner.  She does pretty good with most of it, so go ahead and let her.

11) She was born with an uncanny ability to figure out handheld electronic devices.  If you get a new tablet or phone and can't figure it out, just give it to her for a little while and she'll show you how to use it.

12) The girl loves music. LOVES music.  It's always on in the background.  You'll get used to it.

13) She is so sure she wants to skip childhood and go right to being a grown up, but she'll still ask you to snuggle her when she climbs into bed with you in the morning.

14) She has an eclectic sense of style.  Just let her pick out what she wants to wear.  It's better that way.


15) If she thinks she's right about something, chances are she is.  You can try and argue with her if you choose, but I'm telling you now that you're probably going to lose.  She will fight you to the death.  For real.

16) She's a hand holder even though she's almost 8.

17) She generates more laundry than three people combined.  It is what it is.

18) She is my most perceptive child.  She sees things other people don't see, she hears things other people don't hear, and she remembers it all.  I swear she has an old soul and she's been here before.

19) When she laughs, she snorts.  A lot.

20) She seems tough and strong, but she has a gentle soul.  She expects a lot from herself and other people and is easily let down.  She takes things personally, she loves with her whole being, she has more empathy in her little finger than most people have in their entire bodies.  Be kind to her.