Last night, the neighbor boys came to see if the older kids could come and play with them. I said they could. As they were putting on their shoes, Elizabeth began going from sibling to sibling, crying, "Noah, you my best fwiend. Hope, you my best fwiend. Hannah, you my best fwiend."

SLAM. They headed out the door, leaving their little tagalong behind.

"Dey my best fwiends and they WEFT ME!!!!!!!" Elizabeth wailed, running to me for comfort.

"Mommy can be your best friend, Elizabeth," I told her as I hugged her and wiped her tears.

"Will you give me candy? Den you be my fwiend," she said.