The girls took me on a beautiful walk through a wooded trail this afternoon. Our conversation went something like this: “Mom, we’re the only family that doesn’t have a dog.” “Mom, can we have a dog?” “Mom, name one person you know who doesn’t have a dog?”

“Grand…”

“And you can’t say Grandma and Grandpa!”

I tried to change the subject and asked them, If you could take us anywhere on a family adventure, where would it be?

Hanna, the oldest said: Mexico. This is a safe bet in that it might actually happen. It wasn’t a make believe place, it wasn’t a trip into outer space and it didn’t involve me swimming with sharks (necessarily). Friends of hers have gone and like most teenagers, she wanted something “all my friends have.” “Why haven’t I had Mexico?”

Chloe, the youngest said: This path. Ah yes, the six year old who lives in the moment. The past is behind her and there’s no need to ever look back. The future is full of surprises. Let’s enjoy the here and now.

Ellie, the middle child wasted no time: Pet store