Talks with Harry

Fortunately for us, Harrison is not moving to Australia. We don't know what we'd do without Edith's bestest buddy and his parents across the way. It's fun to listen to E and H get ever more clever, mature, funny, conniving--and generally sophisticated in their conversations. Take a sample from the past week:

(1)
G, coming into the apartment after dropping off some vegetables at Harry's house: Guess who I brought back with me to play?
E, protesting from down the hall: But Harry, I'm naked!
H, his dignity offended: Edith, put some clothes on!
E: I will, Harry, after my daddy finishes changing my diaper.
H, walking over to hold Edith's hand on the changing table: You're my friend, Edith.
E: You're my friend, Harry.

(2)
Edith, Bismarck and I had bumped into Harry's dad, Conrad, as we set out on a walk. He had recommended we go see one of Harry's favorite neighborhood sights, a red Jeep parked down the block. So he knew where to find us ten minutes later when Harrison demanded to see his friend. Harry rolled up in the umbrella stroller we had left parked outside the apartment building, clutching his brand-new toy bulldozer. Of course, Edith wanted to see the bulldozer.

C: Harrison, can Edith hold your bulldozer for a little while?
H: No, Edith! This is my bulldozer.
C: It's still new.
G: Okay, Edith? Maybe Harrison will let you hold it next time we see him.
E: Okay. But that's actually my stroller, Harry...

About fifteen minutes later, after a merry round of Edith pushing Harrison up and down hills in the stroller and Harrison showing off the features of his new bulldozer, Conrad suggested that they had to leave to start their "special bedtime routine." Edith tried to plead for her friend, saying, "No, Harry should stay awake. And we should go far, far away on a walk."

I wonder if she meant as far as last week. We were about five minutes out from the house when she asked, "Mommy, our house is far, far away in New Jersey?"