G the "Expert"

I stopped to pump gas on my way home from a shopping trip with G and Baby C. As I finished pumping and slid back into the car, G informs me that while I was busy pumping gas she was telling Baby C all about cars because she was, and I quote, "a car expert." I laugh to myself and say "You don't even know how to drive. How can you be a car expert?" To which G gives a brief synopsis about how cars work and replies, "I don't know how to drive, but I know all about cars, so I'm a car expert! I also know all about trees and plants, so I'm a tree expert!"

Amused I figured I'd test her tree knowledge:

"If you're a tree expert, then what is that tree over there?" I asked pointing to an evergreen.
"A pine needle tree," G responded, and then added, "and that tree over there without leaves is deciduous." Ummm...seriously kid?! So I continue to quiz her,

"What do trees use to make food?"
"Carbon Dioxide."
"Well, what do trees make that people need to breathe?"
"Oxygen."

Now don't get me wrong, we've had an occasional discussion about trees and CO2 and O2, but it just amazes me that an off-handed conversation can be so singularly embedded in the mind of a four-year old. My theory is that since they're so care-free and not bogged down thinking of the day-to-day issues, there's so much more room in their little brains to store stuff like actual facts about the world around them. (While my adult brain is addled with things like "What am I making for dinner tonight?" or "Did I already give the kids their vitamins today?") My theory's looking better and better after this morning's conversation:

"Mama, it's almost time for my animals to go to bed."
"Oh really?"
"Mmhmm. Remember Mama, they stay up all night and sleep during the day. They're nocturnal."

I'm guessing she's also an animal "expert" as well. :-P