Having lived in the house for so long, we found our kitchen looked old. We decided it was time to   1   “Not the measuring stick.” the kitchen, and my husband and I were discussing    2     colors. The children, sitting nearby, suddenly all spoke together:

“No,” I    3   “Not the measuring stick.” them.

The measuring stick isn’t a (an)   4    stick but the kitchen side of the door between our kitchen and dining room. Along the edge we’ve   5     each child’s growth by making a mark showing his or her   6    on every birthday. Over the years so many colored pens, pencils and markers have been used, that now, this white door is somewhat like an abstract painting.