Every Saturday morning I get up first and head downstairs to do woman’s work. Shortly thereafter I hear Annie’s little feet run to our bedroom. Then I hear Annie’s little footsteps run down the stairs, followed by Jacob’s reluctant, tired footsteps. The two of them head for the living room without so much as a greeting to their devoted wife and mother. Then they sit on the couch like this for as long as I let them, playing Lego Star Wars. Maisy usually wakes up during this ritual and comes downstairs to observe and shout “Ah-2” whenever she sees R2-D2 and to march to the Imperial March.

This Star Wars nonsense is spinning out of control and I find myself helpless to stop it. Jacob pleads innocence but he has been planting seeds since Annie was born in hopes that he could pass on his love of Star Wars to his children, even if they are both girls. Mission accomplished, Jacob.