As I was finally making my way upstairs last night, my daughter called out, "Mom. Did you fold the laundry?" I wasted no time in launching into a lecture about my hard life. A full day at the office. Then running around to pick up and drop off kids and pets. Dinner to make; a kitchen to clean up. Some time for office work at home, then bill paying. I didn't even get around to dusting and vacuuming the downstairs hallway. I only have two hands ... and I went on and on ad nauseum. (You should have heard me!)

My daughter said nothing.

I walked directly into the laundry room, and atop the washer and dryer was that clean load of laundry. All neatly folded. Only those items that were too high for my daughter to reach were left out for me to put away.

Foot, with high heel, went directly into mouth. Finally, I was at a loss for words. And it was a good thing. I was thrilled with her, and disappointed in myself. There were lots of hugs and endless thanks that continued this morning. My daughter's growing up. Maybe I should follow suit.

My daughter and I just returned from a week in New England, wonderfully beautiful and history-rich New England. So as we're driving through Connecticut, on our way to Massachusetts, I remind her that she just finished social studies lessons on the American Revolution and here we were, in the thick of it. How exciting, I gush. What did she want to do first? Concord? Lexington?

Will they have places to shop? she asked.

Argh, I thought. I am a history buff -- some would say ad nauseum. My daughter, not so much. Quickly, I concluded that if this trip was going to be a success, it would need to be the perfect mix of gift shops and Founding Fathers. A compromise. At the beginning, it was painful for us both. She was less than enthusiastic as we walked in the footsteps of patriots, and I as she scoured the gift shops for snow globes and post cards. But soon, we were on the same page ... of history and literature and fun.

There was the trip to Walden Pond. Walden What? she asked. Some day, I told her, she'd appreciate the afternoon I took her to this beach (of what looks like a huge, sparkling blue lake). While she might not know anything about Henry David Thoreau now, I promised, she would in high school and college. And then, surprise, there was the trip through the house of Louisa May Alcott. Even my daughter was awestruck as she looked down at the primitive desk where the author wrote the first half of "Little Women.'' My daughter, a reader and an artist, was similarly thrilled with the original pencil sketches still adorning the bedroom walls of Louisa's sister, May, who was the inspiration for the character Amy in the book. Orchard House was a hit! (And I recommend it as a must-see stop if you're ever in the Concord area!)

So we were off, balancing whale watching with a trip to Paul Revere's house, and Faneuil Hall T-shirt vendors with a dramatic presentation at King's Chapel. We hoped to make some rich family history of our own, and we weren't disappointed.

Sunday's nasty, rainy weather prompted us to make it a movie day. So I took my daughter and a friend to see 'Ramona and Beezus.' (After we collected our concessions and made it in to the theater, I, of course, sat far away from the two of them so they wouldn't have to be seen with me. I, however, had a clear view of them the entire time, previews through the film's closing credits.)

Anyway, this G-rated movie was an absolute delight and perfect family fare. I enthusiastically recommend it! The movie is based on the Beverly Cleary books, and stars, among others, Joey King, teen sensation Selena Gomez and John Corbett (better known to many of us moms from "Northern Exposure,'' "Sex and the City'' and maybe as Bo Derek's boyfriend, and Josh Duhamel).  I digress.

The movie offered a realistic portrayal -- more than that which Hollywood typically provides -- of family life, and the problems, both big and small, that parents and kids must face together. One moment you're laughing out loud, the next you're tearing up. It touched on everything from report cards to job loss to parent role reversals to first loves to the bittersweet realities of loving a pet. If you can't make it to the theater for this one, put it on your list to see when it comes out on DVD. You won't be sorry! Klickitat Street is the place to be.