A Reckoning. . . .

Lately Brooklyn goes ballistic if she thinks Danny is going to put her to bed instead of her beloved mother. So he's started telling her the following:

"One day, little girl, there will be a reckoning. You are going to want something from me one day and I will remember this."

Hahaha!

Sweet Words

How this conversation just happened with my just-2-year old, I don't know, but it did. I'm tucking her in at night and

I say: I love you, I love you.
B: Do you love me mom?
Me: I do love you.
B: I love you. You're a good mom.
Me: What? (Did I just hear that? And I take her binkie out for clarification.)
B: You're a good mom.

Sweet words to me after I've been cleaning up throw up all afternoon. She's got a stomach bug today-- hoping for just a 24 hour one--please. It's hard when they don't understand that if I give you milk, juice,  cereal, or chicken nuggets as you have been requesting, they will be out in a very unpleasant manner within the hour. What a very sweet girl I have.

One day.....

One day....
My house will be decorated how it is in my mind.
I won't have baskets of laundry hanging around everywhere.
I will play on a tennis league every week.
I'll get to take piano lessons again.
I'll remember my friend's birthdays.
I'll reply to emails every morning when I'm alert and at my wittiest, instead of when I'm half asleep on the couch at night.
I'll organize and label things better.
I'll read more of the classics, prominent biographies, and my scriptures without falling asleep.
I'll return phone calls.

And I know everyone tells me just to enjoy this space in my life.... but it's hard not to look to the future when I may have more free time for myself.

One day......
I will miss a toddler falling asleep in my arms while I rock her ("Mommy, rock you me" is her request).
Kisses from my girls.
My row of little ducklings following me around the store/ house.
Chubby little hands seeking mine.

Mexico

 So.... we went on a trip to Rocky Point in September. That is how I roll these days- a little behind. We were pretty nervous about traveling to Mexico with all that is going on there, but decided to try it anyway and cross our fingers. We had a wonderful time and always felt safe. Our kids loved the beach and the pools and being together with cousins. Thanks mom and dad!

 My favorite thing we did while we were down there was to go down to the beach when the sun was setting and fly kites. The wind was great for it, you could see the sun and moon at the same time, and there were tide pools in the sand so the kids could just run through them all the way down the beach. And of course dead stuff washes up on the beach so the kids thought that was fascinating.

It was magical!

Confessions of a Formative Conscience:

So lately Shayne will say to me very seriously, "Mommy, I have something to tell you." I get very attentive and nervous when she does this. "Yes, sweetie." And then she begins to tell me things that she needs to confess. Sometimes telling on herself, sometimes telling on others. Sometimes telling the truth, sometimes making up stories.

This is greatly beneficial to me as a parent because I find out things that I wouldn't have known if she didn't confess. Then she usually ends with "Mommy, I am so sorry."

And then I am good enough to forgive her and throw in a gentle lecture about not doing that next time. It's a feel good session all around.

One I can think of right now:

Shayne: Mommy, I am so sorry I touched my (preschool) teacher right here (pointing to her chest).
Me: (What??!!) Why did you do that sweetie? What did your teacher say?
Shayne: Nothing.
And then I proceed with the lecture about everyones' special bodies and how we don't ...... you know the drill. And I think this one might have been a tall tale. At least I am hoping.

Note to Self. . . .

When trying to convince your 3-year-old that green beans are delicious, do not take a bite of a raw one to show her how much you like them because you will only end up rolling down your car window to spit it onto the street due to the fact that it has the taste and texture of a brittle stick. I really tried to swallow it, I really did.

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