"I think being a woman is like being Irish." — Iris Murdoch

I was walking home from work today and saw a half a dozen new born babies.  Not that they were popping out at that moment, but you could see they were newly minted.  It struck me that by the time these kids are four or five, Emma will be old enough to babysit them.  I suppose.  She's ten now...

I mentioned the idea to her when I got home, and the two of us when out for a walk.  She saw the babies and started elaborating what it would be like, how much she'd charge, how much she'd make, what days she could sit, whether her friends would want to help...  It was like a floodgate opened, and she talked the whole thing out.  I had no idea that my remark would inspire such planning.  It was nice.

About the science project, I think we can either make a potato battery or do something with a doorbell -- like take off the ringing part and put other stuff in its place.  She likes both ideas.