One morning, when my youngest daughter was five, I received a call at my office saying she was "missing".  Close friends from Germany, who had three children themselves, were visiting and I'd consequently given my regular babysitter the day off.  "Oh Alexa is probably just hiding under one of the beds as a prank"  I attempted to reassure them.  "We've checked the entire house, she is missing" they repeated again in an anxious tone.  "When was she last seen?" I asked. "Out in the front yard watching Dominik [their pre-teen son] skate.  Dominik came in but he did not bring her with him.  When we went outside to find her, she was gone." 
 
 
     A few months ago my nine year old daughter Ally and I went out to lunch with my aunt.  We were just about to place our drink orders when Ally looked up and said "Auntie, you should order Root Beer."  Not a big fan of soda, my aunt bit her lower lip and said, "Well Ally, I haven't had a Root Beer in a long time, maybe I should just get an iced tea."  Not one to back down, Ally stated boldly, "No Auntie, you should get the Root Beer, it will make you feel like a kid again!".  Her determined commercial endorsement bowled not only us over, but also everyone at the table behind us.  We ALL ordered Root Beer.