Still Ava...

Sunday ritual, making a big pot of sauce. Ava is sitting on a stool next to the sink (her usual spot) watching me de-stem and dice the canned tomatoes in rapt fascination. She doesn't like or eat sauce - Ava takes her pasta plain, with a little Kraft shredded cheddar/monterey jack cheese combo sprinkled on top - but for the sport of it I try to sneak one in and say, "Ava, I'm so happy you're helping me make your favorite sauce."

The response comes within a second.

"It's not my favorite, Daddy, I don't like sauce."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm still Ava!"