Bless her heart. Learning to set goals, maybe.

You are really a trusted person, for her to do that. What an honner you were given.

She must be developing an inkling that she needs to separate herself more from her lovey. How cute. What wonderful neighbors.

What a sweet story.

Awww, that's so sweet! Maybe the little sprite is working up to her own sleepover.

The question is, where did Squishy sleep and did it get it's kiss? ;)

So sweet. I'm guessing it's a trial run before she asks to have her own sleepover at your house!

Wow, just wow!!! Did you and Robert pass the audition, so that she could have her own sleepover? If you treated Squishy with love and respect, she knows that she and Squishy both would feel comfortable overnight.

This is just the cutest story!!!! I loved reading it.

I can't remember hearing a lovelier story. You must feel honored. Really.

Looks like you're sporting a halo, rhizo ... #1!

ole joyful

You are so very lucky to have been chosen by these little sprites. What a sweet sweet story.

The best sprite story yet!!

I thought it was the cutest thing ever, too. She was so earnest in her planning.

The girls have stayed with us a few times, actually. That's partly why this overnight was so endearing.

Grandpa needs his alone time sometimes, or a date night. He's actually their great grandfather (it's a very long, complicated story), a widower, and has stepped up to this unexpected challenge in a magnificent way. He's been our much loved neighbor since we moved here about thirteen or so years ago.

Robert and I have enjoyed these two little ones beyond words. They are the funniest things I've ever encountered.

Only a very special person would be so trusted and respected by these sprites, rhizo. You rock.

That's wonderful that she trusted you to follow directions.

What a great story! And you told it so well, I felt like I was there! Thank you for sharing with us!

Adorable!

Loved it! Hope Squishy enjoyed her/his first sleepover!

What a wonderful story! Those little 'sprites' are so fortunate to have you in their lives, and to be perfectly honest, I get the distinct impression you are just as fortunate to have them! And I must admit, I am very curious as to the circumstances that brought them to their currant situation. I know it is none of my business, I also know it is info that doesn't need to be posted on the Internet. But I am curious, none the less. And I thank you for 'sharing' them with us.

Rusty

For her to have developed this kind of trust shows that you, Robert and Grandpa are doing something so very right.

Do they know that they have a bunch of cyber aunts and uncles who are cheering them on? Thanks for sharing them with us.

Rhizo I'm laughing so hard I have tears in my eyes. "The funniest things I've ever encountered."

Do you mean they've stayed overnight before? Wow that IS something.

Keep sharing your stories and their antics. We love them. And yes, Blfenton hit the nail on the head. They have cyber aunts and uncles who are very fond of them.

And she is only 6; remarkable. I wonder what is going on in her mind that would prompt her to do this? To be away from Squishy for a night? There must be a reason. Those little girls are so fortunate to have you two as neighbors.

I'm wondering too what might prompt her to make such a brave decision to be without him for a night. And of course, in the care of someone she obviously loves and trusts to keep her valued friend.

Your effort was generous. How'd that go, with squishy sleeping with you and Robert ;0) Aren't you glad it wasn't a puppy, or pony, or something not housebroken instead of the well behaved Squishy-stuffed poodle.

How precious. I love all the planning and detail that went in to it.

Rusty, you are so right that Robert's and my life has been greatly enriched....and we didn't even know we were so needy, lol!

I opted to not have kids, never had that desire whatsoever. So these two have been a complete and utter surprise to me....I darn well know that kids weren't so aware, so verbal when I was going up. I can only attribute it to their use of an assortment of media at home and at school.

Sue, we don't know what prompted Squishy's overnight stay. It started out just as a little baby sitting session....me babysitting the little toy. She elevated the experience into a real sleepover as the discussion went on. Her imagination is boundless.

Raven, if you saw this little stuffed animal, you'd know that kisses were not going to happen, lol. (She won't let anyone wash it.)

I did protect the little thing from Paco, though. He likes to eviscerate his stuffed animals. Squishy and all of her paraphernalia spent the night securely tucked away in my pajama drawer. I'm pretty sure that I heard some gentle snoring in the middle of the night.

Such a delightful story! Should Squishy have another visit, you must make a photo documentary! Squishy enjoying dinner, having dessert, chillin' with the neighbors, (maybe skip the bath), getting tucked-in, ... Such fun!

How wonderful that you all have each other in your lives!

Hounds suggestion is great! When my husband went out of town, one of our daughters sent her stuffed animal with him to keep him company. He sent pictures to my phone for me to show her of them having dinner, riding in the car, etc. She loved it!

I love this story! Rhizo, God bless you. And God blessed you! Please continue to share these two sweet little girls with us.

Very cute story, Rhizo. I'm sure the girls will forever remember the kindness of their neighbors and this loving and positive influence in their lives.

Rhizo -- She *trusts* you! She's also getting ready to move on from her dependence on the 'lovey'. This was a test. I can imagine there have been a lot of losses and betrayals of trust in her young life. What an *honor* to have been there for her, as she tries again to *trust*.

Oh yes she would be so delighted to see all of the squishy activities in pictures ! Lol. Just adorable .

I forgot to say, I love the stuffed poodle's name, "Squishy".

Rusty

Squishy is THE best name! How cute! Great story! :0) What about the other sprite? Is she older? No sleep overs for her toys?

What a precious story! You and Robert must be thrilled to have these two sprites (and now Squishy) in your lives. I was also thinking you should take a few photos of Squishy next time he/she has a sleepover so you can show your sprite how you stuck to 'the list'.

My hubby and I have no children either, and we both sure do enjoy the stories of your two little sprites. Please keep them coming Rhizo.

The older girl is about to be 8. She's fascinating to me. Fearless, athletic, dramatic (in a good way), a little mother to her little sister, and magnet for all of the little neighborhood boys. Like a porch light to moths, flowers to bees is that little girl.....and she couldn't care less about them! She's ridiculously beautiful with her long brown hair, freckles, and pale blue eyes. Always has skinned knees and bandaids on her fingers.

She's teetering on the edge of dolls and stuffed animals or ballet and softball. She is my gardening and baking companion; she actually watches the cooking shows on her own and asks to make things that she saw. Most of our two family communal meals are her idea, her recipes. She loves to go grocery shopping and I can send her off with her own list to make it go faster.

I can totally trust her to weed my (our) vegetable garden and to harvest whatever is ready. She is no longer afraid of bees or wasps and loves, loves, loves to visit the botanical garden. I never had to deadhead one single thing this summer, I kid you not. Never had to ask her to do it, either.

Fun!

A heart warming story. Great to hear that nice people are making a huge difference helping another family. Wish all children could be so fortunate.

What an adorable child! Some kids are just a pleasure to know.

Very precious story.

Sue

What an adorable story. It made me wonder if there was more to it than play-acting. Did the girl feel a need to send her companion out for a reason, real or imaginary? And, kudos to you for obliging her request.