Little children crack me up.  Especially four-year-olds.

This morning, Christopher complained about his foot.  "It hurts, Mama!"  As he was lolling in front of his cereal, he said, "Mama.  My foot is telling me not to eat the cereal.  It goes right down to my toe and makes it hurt.  And then it comes up and down and up and down."  Turns out he had a fever of 104.1, so I gave him some leeway on self-reported pain.

This afternoon, during school (he's feeling better, with a little help from our friends Mr. M and Mrs. T.  (Motrin and Tylenol).  We did the pages for "E" in Handwriting Without Tears, which uses all the same-size horizontal strokes.  Then I cracked the Kumon Upper Case Letters book for extra practice.  "Mama, why are these lines, Looong, Short, Loong???"  I explained to him that the same-size lines were correct and made for learning them easily, but that the others were slightly more correct and slightly more fancy.  After a moment of reflection, he responded, "I think these (the Kumon letters) were made in Paris."

(:

Natalie plays a little game where she grabs a part of my face and names it.  The other day it went something like this:

"Mama's mouf" (grabs my mouth).

"Mama's eye" (kind of gently pokes my eye).

"Uddah eye" (pokes other eye)

"Uddah eye" (pokes first one again)

Uddah eye" (poke) etc....

"Mama's 'ead" (gently smacks my head and kind of tickles it)

"Mama's uddah 'ead" (smacks the other side of my head)

Pause.

"Yun "ead!"  ("One head"). 

 By the way,

"MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!"

Inspired by Noel Piper's little treasure Treasuring God in Our Traditions, I have penned verses for Natalie's birthday, blatantly and enthusiastically copying her husband John's tradition for each of their children's birthdays.  So I present,

"Birthday Shoes"
for Natalie
December 21, 2007

Giggles erupting from deep in her belly
Jiggling her tummy, as sweet as plum jelly
Peals of laughter ring out, rivalling Bose,
Shaking with mirth from golden curls to toes
And oh, what sweet chubby toesies and knees
Irresistible, crying out, "Kiss...peeeez!"
"Da uddah one " now the imperious command
With pleasure, obliging, meet the demand
Bending, kissing and praying the while
"Dear Father, please make her Your child!
Black patent leather with satin bows are fine,
But the Gospel of Peace is what I have in mind
Prepare these feet to love your Good News
And spread it to others whereever You choose.
Protect them to go only places You will
To be holy, careful, confident, still.
May these little feet follow the Best--
Jesus' feet-- beautiful, pierced, triumphant, blest.
Walk with her, Jesus, guide each step of her way,
Light her path with Your Word, for each of her days."

A Budding Engineer

Our 22-month-old daughter made this configuration, completely spontaneously.  They are made out of little square board books someone gave us.  I, being the model of positivity and open-mindedness, warned her as she was putting the top book on, "It's gonna fall!"  But to my amazement, it didn't (right away).  I went to get the camera, and by the time I came back, it had fallen somehow, and she managed to get the fourth book on top--again, and it stayed.  I can't believe she did it twice, and the second time it fanned out really beautifully. 

Tonight as I was putting Christopher to bed, he said (something similar to), "I like you Mama, too much, that I can't say how much I love you.  I love you up to one thousand and thirty.  Almost that much!" 

Now THAT is honey for a Mama's heart! (:  I love you, too, Christopher, up to the moon, and back.

Potty training at the beginning, with the comfort of Blanket and Bay Bay:

Potty Training today (day seven).  Maybe she will start a lifelong habit of reading on the potty, when
she figures out you read with your eyes (not the toes)

Okay, I was NOT adequately "tomato staking" today (see www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com for an explanation), although dear daughter was only three feet behind me playing happily with  not one, but two brand new containers of playdoh and dear son was out on a fun tricycle ride with Grandpa, when I thought I would sneak a visit to kellieanne's  blog.   I was typing away happily for only a few minutes when silence beckoned that I turn around.  I noticed first that all the playdoh was thoroughly and neatly put away in the bucket, and second that the expensive wedding china sugar bowl was in her hands, and it was empty.  The pictures will tell the rest....

The Crime Scene

The Prime Crime Suspect

Fortunately we only had to wipe up sugar and not shards of china and shreds of our budget:

1.  I was wearing strappy high heels to church on Sunday, and I asked my husband to carry Natalie to the car, since my ankle might wobble on the bumpy sidewalk.  Christopher wondered why my ankle might wobble, and then why would I wear shoes that might make my ankle wobble.  I replied that some people thought that this kind of sandal was pretty, didn't he think they were pretty?  He paused a moment, and meekly said, "Not very much..." (:

2.  Since I have had some clarity in parenting, I have been much more consistent in teaching and disciplining our children.  I am tired, but continuing.  We have a huge event coming up tomorrow and next week, and I have been extra busy preparing for it.  Two days ago, I had so many errands we did a morning run, and an afternoon (post-nap) run.  Each time Christopher misbehaved and I promised him I would discipline him when we got home.  Both times, I came home and rushed into my to do list, and forgot.  By the time I remembered, it was so long past, I didn't think I should address it, and promised myself I'd do better next time.  That night, we had a nice bedtime snuggle, with songs and chitchatting.  He asked me why I didn't discipline him when he was "wrong to Nani."  He felt sad and guilty.  I said, "Well, Mama failed."  "Why did you fail me, Mama?"  Ouch. "Do you want me to correct you now?"  Pauuuuuuuse.  "Noooo."    So we both prayed that God would forgive us for our sins that day.  He also asked me to forgive him for not reminding me that he needed a correction.  Am humbled beyond description, joyful that his conscience is developing tenderly, and highly motivated to be faithful. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for our precious children.  Thank you for your Spirit working in Christopher's heart.  Please empower me to be faithful and consistent in loving and teaching our children to  choose kindness and wisdom.  Please forgive me for my laziness and lethargy and strengthen me for the task of parenting. 

Love,
Your Daughter,
Lori

Dear Natalie,

You woke up this morning at 4:30am with a temp of 103.6F.  After giving you Tylenol and rocking you until you cooled off a bit, I put you back in bed, but I couldn't sleep because I couldn't hear you breathe in the next room, so I tiptoed into your room and tried to sleep on the single bed in there.  Of course, you didn't want to sleep if I were in the same room, so I put you in bed with me.  I haven't done that for about a year, and my, how you've grown!  You used to fit right next to my tummy so that I could bend my knees way up below your legs and fold my arms out above your head.  No way was that going to happen last night--I was all stretched out.  You kept saying "ug, ug Mama" (hug Mama).  Your little arms are so precious and dear--I am so pleased that you want to hold me when you feel yucky. 

You are so particular about just how you like your blanket to be, and you wouldn't settle until it is just right.  I like to ask you, "Is that better?"  and how I love to hear you say  "Dat Beddah, Mama" or just "Beddah!"  in your little gravelly  satisfied sick voice.   It is pretty fun because if I ask and there is no appreciable difference, then you are not forthcoming with those wonderful words. (:

We took you to the doctor's office because you've had a low-grade fever here and there for a month, and we thought we'd better check it out.

We waited for an hour.  The nurse wasn't very gentle, but the doctor was so kind, fun and sweet to you and Christopher.  You really didn't want to be bothered and stuck to me like glue through much of the visit and wanted me to hold you the whole time.  

Your ears, nose, throat and lungs are clear, so the doc wanted you to get a blood test to test for a bacterial infection or leukemia (not likely), so we marched over to the little lab you've visited too many times already in your short life.  You kind of got mad at the get-go when she got out the alcohol swab, and you knew something hard was going to happen.  Unfortunately, the lady just could not find a vein today.  She poked your dorsal hand and kept digging around with the needle to find the vein.  Then she poked on your arm, and kept digging and digging and digging to find the vein.  She never did, and you were beside yourself.  I was having inner fits but trying to keep it together so as not to make things worse.  Christopher came in to join us, and he was also very, very upset about the digging needle.   Normally this lady does a good job, so I don't know why it was so hard today (you were pretty wiggly), but now we have to go back another day. 

I took you and Christopher to Boston Market for  a comfort food dinner, and then to Mickey Ds for an icecream cone.  Christopher told me that "That lady CAN'T stick her again and again and again..."   We might look for another office to try again.

I can't express to you how much I enjoy you, and how much I love, love, LOVE holding you, especially when you snuggle and want to be comforted.  You are precious beyond words, and may God bless us ot have a lifetime of a wonderful relationship.  I am so thankful for all the good health that God has given our family.  We are blessed incredibly, and I am so grateful.

Love your own mother,

Mama

Things to remem

Last week, Christopher had a day where he exhibited deep compassion, quick thinking, initiative, above and beyond heart to serve his sister.  She had possibly gotten Windex in her eye, and I had to pry each eye open for 20 seconds under running water.  She was hysterical from the process, and Christopher was my incredible helper.  He patted her with so much concern, with comforting noises and words.   He announced he would run and get her favorite Bay Bay (bear) and blanket, and I asked him to bring her a change of clothes.  He ran all the way up to the third floor while I comforted her, and he carefully selected an outfit so she would look pretty for Dada, and then he ran back again to retrieve the bear and blanket, which she thoroughly appreciated.  He was kind and compassionate all day before and after that, so I made him a Medal of Honor, and we talked about the qualities he showed, including not praising yourself, but letting others praise you.  It was a joyous day (Natalie's eyes are fine).

This morning, I apprached Natalies bed to hear her looking up at me and in the quietest, sweetest voice say,

see, dee, eee, ah, gee, aych, ay, jay, kay, ellelelelel oh peeee.  tuuu ah aaaa----s. .... and look pleased with your self (it's the alphabet from c to s, if it wasn't clear).

Then Christopher was sleepy and really snuggly for a long time while Natalie played with the Marble Run game and actually put the tubes together, being very pleased with herself.

I am so blessed.

Christopher's independent discovery of the day:

"Mama!  Four fives make twenty fingahs (fingers)!"  (: 

He then proceeds to count deliberately and enthusiastically to twenty on his fingers (going through them twice) and ends with Sesame Street's The Counts' hammed up laugh...

"What IS he doing?"

They were sharing some peanut butter and brown sugar on the couch, and I had to snap a few:

This morning, Christopher tried to pit Dada against Mama, which didn't work of course.  I pointedly told Christopher that "Dada and Mama are ONE!" 

He responded with a big knowing grin, "You're not one......year old!" 

My friend, J, eagerly babysat our children for a few hours each week  this past year so that I could run errands.  She had a sweet eye on a godly guy, M, and was hoping to prepare for marriage, and wanted to practice managing children.  She eagerly sought godly advice for courtship and marriage, as she came from an unsaved family, and faithfully put it into practice.  M asked her to marry her some months ago, and Christopher was asked to be the ringbearer.  They thoughtfully had Christopher bring the rings down on a little steam engine (M also has a love of trains, also). 

I have some darling pictures of him and the flower girl, but I have to get permission first from her mom to post them. (:

He did great, and I'm really proud of him!

Dell suggested a few weeks back (see here)  that we try taking a picture of ourselves with our children, and it's taken a while to find a moment to remember to have someone take it, but here they are:

 Mama with Nani,

and:

Mama and Christopher. 

I'm so blessed!

I won't go into great detail, but we have been going to daily swim lessons for two weeks.  An hour away.  They are arguably the best swim lessons around, and they have an 85-90% success rate with 2 1/2 - 5yo kids during one two-week session.  Here is a brief synopsis:

Day 1:  CJ's okay with the idea, but nervous

Day 2:  Getting less okay.

Days 3-6  Kind of awful....worries incessantly about every aspect of the swim lesson...screams from entry to the pool area to the water's edge, things like, "You're making me cry, Mama" (repeat, repeat repeat--this is NOT like him).

Day 7:  Spends 15 minutes in the potty actually making deposits, Walks calmly to the poolside, Refuses to jump in.  Only likes it a tiny tiny tiny bit.

Day 8:  Spends 15 minutes in the potty again (Mama gets there early), and calmly goes to the poolside.  JUMPS IN!  He likes it a LOT and a LOT and a LOT.  Begins hailing strangers in an exuberant manner, "HI!"  He says that he would thank the teacher "for letting go!" 

Day 9:  Foregoes potty so he won't lose pooltime.  Loves it.

Day 10:  Has a blast.  Mama is exhaaaaaausted!

Here he is, swimming on his back:

CJ for fun

Kiddin' Around at Home Depot

Big Shoes to Fill