Kid confidential

Isabella with her stuffed dog Cutie and real-life pooch Danu

Photograph: Heather Gallagher

You have a lot of toys—which do you like best?
I like to kick my ball—well, bounce it. And this [points to stuffed animal] is my favorite doggie, Cutie.

She's very cute!
Well, that's why I called her Cutie! I don't even remember how long ago I got her, but I do remember her name.

It will be December soon. What does your family do for the holidays?
My birthday's on a holiday. Guess when it is: Valentine's Day!

How do you celebrate?
I go to Chelsea Piers. I usually always have a gymnastics party, but once I had a dodgeball party. I didn't really like getting hit with the ball, especially on my birthday.

Are you excited that it might snow soon?
Yeah! I love snow. I like winter a little bit better than summer because it's not that hot.

And you get to miss school sometimes.
Yeah! Once I got to stay out of school for the whole season of winter because it was snowing so much!

Oh really? What did you do with all that snow?
I went sledding. One day, my mom was on my sled with me, and we slid right into an igloo that someone made in the park.

What's your favorite subject in school?
Science. I want to take care of animals.

So, a veterinarian?
I call it a vetedarian.