Sad Goodbye

My daughter's favorite words now are "No, thank you./Please stop." and "I like it."

The first phrase is used most often when I want to hug/am hugging her. Somewhere in her, a switch for "no hugging" has been turned on, and she doesn't like me to hug her as much as before.

The second phrase is most often said when she sees her favorite snack, dried dates. Husband and I break our fast with dates, so she follows us in the kitchen and says "I like it." when she wants to eat a date.

Although I'm glad that she is more independent now, for me it is a sad goodbye to the sweet clinging, eager-to-please personality.