who

I wonder who will teach her to walk in heels. Who will show her how to put on makeup? Carry a purse? It won't be me - I don't know any of that stuff myself.

She is 5 - and already she can steal a basketball - dribble with one hand. She catches with a mitt, and spits watermelon seeds across the yard. She can paint, tap dance, read, sing, and has an aerabesque to die for. She is not afraid to speak her mind - and do so publicly. She is stubborn as hell, independent, and still gives the best hugs.

I am teaching the kid something.

Not sure if I am fully equipped though. Not sure if she can learn how to be a girl from me. Some days I am not sure I know how to do it myself.

Sometimes I hear the Italian girls in my head. They hate how I fix my ponytail, make fun of me because I am afraid to get my ears pierced, and because I don't know how to cook - not really. Mama never had time to teach me. So little brother and I live off quesadillas. They curl their hair everyday, know how to kiss boys, they never smell like sweat, and they have a billion pairs of pantyhose. They are only 13.

How come I never learned that stuff? And who is going to teach the princess? She is asking already - sometimes I do not know what to say. She has a vicious fashion sense, and a penchant for all things feminine. Maybe she will teach me instead.