What if you had a job that was so awesome that you didn’t want to take off (or be concerned with child labor laws)? You should talk to Jessica Rosbrook. She is the little lady above in the tiny lab coat, and she just scored herself a job with toy manufacturer Tomy as a chief toy tester. Go ahead. Chug that Independence Day margarita while lamenting your return to your much less wonderful job tomorrow. I’ll wait.

She’s nine years old, she has pink hair, and she loves Justin Bieber. But don’t let that fool you into thinking Caitlin Kelley isn’t into something a little more badass. Kelley, who lives in Tampa, Florida, is actually a very accomplished competitive MMA fighter who pounds a punching bag with her bare hands. If she could, she’d train every single day, but when would she have time to do her homework? Something tells me she’d squeeze it in somehow.

It all started with She-Ra. I was strolling through Target and I saw The Princess of Power on DVD. I thought my daughter might get a kick out of the ’80s cartoon I grew up on. So I grabbed the story of He-Man’s twin sister and introduced my daughter to a whole world of girls who save the day and fight the forces of evil.

So began my four-year-old daughter Brenna‘s love affair with superheroes and my education about a whole world of storylines and characters that I would soon become intimately familiar with.

We moved on to Justice League cartoons and movies, some of which seemed a little too adult for my pre-schooler. But she just wanted a show with as many girls as possible. Sure, she loved The Flash and Martian Manhunter, but she needed more Hawk Girls. Younger shows, like the Super Hero Squad, were exciting but left her a little frustrated.

Remember forts, you guys? Taking whatever sturdy objects were around the house and building as big a fort as you could manage? Thanks to NBC‘s Community, forts are having a moment. But the daughters of comic creator Nick Bertozzi — with the help of a Fort Magic kit, a thing that really exists — have taken their own fortastic journey. Go ahead — take another look at those couch cushions …

(via Fort Magic on Twitter)

Have you ever chickened out of something, like a physical challenge? Or, if you’re a daredevil, do you remember the first time you did something that now seems purely thrilling but at first seemed terrifying? We invite you to witness this fourth grader while she gears herself up to take on her first big ski jump. And then share the pure joy when she finally does it. Let’s get ready for another work week, everyone!

(via Kottke)

At the age of six, Lori Anne Madison just became the youngest contestant in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The home-schooled student from Woodbridge, Virginia out-spelled 21 elementary and middle school students and emerged victorious by spelling the word “vaquero,” a Spanish word for “cowboy” — while dressed like a bee. Yeehaw! It’s on to nationals!

While this story isn’t what you’d call recent, it was so touching that we couldn’t ignore it. It’s also very sad, so consider yourself warned. But while it’s a sad story about a little girl’s fight with brain cancer, it’s a great story about how a bunch of Star Wars fans (some in very high places) made that little girl happy while she didn’t feel very well. It’s also an origin story, and we love those. Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce you to Katie Johnson and the droid whose creation she inspired: R2-KT.

The headline speaks for itself: Two Texas Girl Scouts, Iravia Cotton and Rachel Johnson, chased down a horrible person who stole $200 of Girl Scout cookie money from their booth. Iravia punched the guy in the face. Rachel grabbed on to the guy’s car and was dragged as he drove away. You might be wondering if they’re okay, and I kind of think they’ve proven they can take care of themselves. Man, the things girls need to do to earn badges these days!

Kinect Star Wars, while a bit polarizing for some, is still coming out with pretty wicked advertisements. The last one we saw featured Parks and Recreation star Chris Pratt, fighting Darth Vader in his underwear. But now, the Sith Lord is back for revenge, and he has disguised himself — as a little girl. “I find your lack of ponies disturbing.”

I’m kidding. She is actually very menacing and serious. Also: Clint Howard! He really is in everything!

(via Topless Robot)

Previously in Kinect Star Wars

Here is an eight-year-old girl playing serious guitar. Her name is Zoe Thomson, she’s from the UK, and she plays in a band called The Mini Band. (You can follow them on Facebook. We thought you should know.) She has also been playing guitar since she was about six, unless there are videos of her that aren’t YouTube. Imagine the sheer rockitude if she teamed up with Juliet, she of the badassest hardcore song we brought you last week. Is it blowing your mind? How about this: Imagine what an amazing guitar player Zoe is going to be when she grows up. Mind-boggling.

(via Design You Trust)

Previously in Awesome Little Girls