we enter a new stage:

smart aleck.

we went to vote this evening. it's about five blocks from our house, directly down the street. we were in a hurry - ethan had to get back to work. about a block from our house maria finally buckled herself. to make less of her situation with her angry parents she said something like, "well, we're almost home anyway." ethan said, "ya, you were supposed to buckle a long time ago." maria's response?

"a long time ago - like when the dinosaurs were around? ha ha (laughing at herself)."

oh, how cute. her first smart alecky comment. a monumental milestone has been reached.