I'd love to

I think I've only heard it once, but, now that I've returned to work and Mommy is spending all of the time with Tahlia, Mommy hears it often.

Her little face and big blue eyes looking at you and nonchalantly stating, "Oh, I'd love to." The inflection is as you'd think it would be. The "oh" has the essence of surprise -- "Oh . . . you brought me flowers. It isn't even a special day!" The next emphasis is on the love. She puts particular emphasis on it. There is a joy that she will have the opportunity to partake in an activity that once was only dreamed about. But, this is all in passing.

"Oh, I'd love to."

So what are the situations in which this statement is given? Are we asking her if she would like to go to the zoo? Not really. How about an opportunity to have ice cream at the local parlor? Again -- no.

This is how the situation might unfold.

Asher is in his bouncy seat. He has stopped crying for a few minutes and Mommy has a respite in which she can play with Tahlia. Mommy turns to Tahlia who is currently playing with bubbles that she has spilled on the floor. She really isn't playing with the bubbles as much as she is playing with the liquid that, when blown through the little yellow ring, creates bubbles. She has rubbed it effectively enough so that it now looks like the foamy soap with which she so loves washing her hands. Even though it is obvious to Mommy that these now spilled bubbles look like the foamy soap, Tahlia turns to Mommy and states, "Look, Mommy, foamy soap."

To this, in an attempt to redirect Tahlia away from the glugging bubble bottle, Mommy might state, "Tahlia, would you like to play with your animals?"

Her gaze is drawn towards her animals as she states, "Oh, I'd love to."