Children of the Corn Part 2 - Spootie

Sometimes, the most frightening of the Subversives is the middle child - the only other holder of estrogen in our house. Spootie is 12 - but she reminds me frequently that she's almost 13 - and wanting to be 16 so she can drive. I mention to her that she is already driving - she is driving me nuts! Talk about hormonal imbalances as she approaches "the curse". I thought *I* was a case during pregnancy - you know, crying at Hallmark commercials and laughing hysterically at America's Funniest Home Videos, none of which really merit hysterical laughter.

1. Spootie actually is very artistic and, like many girls her age, LOVES animals. That is, she loves animals until she realizes how much care is involved. We have had in "her" care a few hamsters (all dead now), a guinea pig (dead), a fish (amazingly not dead), a couple of dogs (one dead, one relocated), and a foster-cat (I refused to have a permanent cat). The novelty wears off and then the poop scooping, cage cleaning, feeding, exercising and other such responsibilities leave her realm and enter mine.
2. She has a wonderful imagination and a rather "mature" sense of humor - she likes Monty Python. She can also sling some pretty nasty verbal barbs at Ookpik, her Sarcasm Mentor. (And I fervently deny ever having taught HIM how to be sarcastic.)
3. While she is an above-average student she doesn't like to study or do math. If she had a little more drive and a lot more energy to actually work on a project beyond the last minute, she'd be exceptional. Her favorite subjects seem to be Language Arts and Info Tech(computers)... but only if you don't let her count Recess and Lunch.
4. She is definitely a social butterfly and has proven ability in multi-tasking: she can do homework, talk on the phone, and MSN at least 3 different people all at the same time.
5. Spootie is pushing for the right to wear makeup already. I am constantly faced with her pleas to be allowed to wear eye liner or eye shadow. I think not. And this isn't about "play" makeup either like I begged for when I was a kid her age. This is the result of the marketing assault on our young daughters by the people who brought you Britney, Christina, and Beyonce. (But THAT is another rant for another day.)

So, that is Subversive #2... I am sure there will be more entries here about Spootie at a later date.
Later, the next installment: Children of the Corn Part 3 - Sk8rBoi