dolla dolla bill...

This post has a prolouge.  A childhood memory.  Something that needs to be explained so you can truly appreciate the conversation I recenly had with my own children.

When I was about six my Aunt gave me a one dollar bill.  Such a fine gift for a little girl!  Now, I had recently learned that there are a "hundred pennies in every dollar".  So what's even better that a paper dollar?  That's right, one hundred shiny pennies!  I took that paper dollar, shook it really well so that all the pennies would settle down at the bottom (like a Kool-aid packet) and cut the top off.  Only when I turned it over nothing came out.  Oh, and I got into a lot of trouble.

So now back to me and my two kids.  We're all sitting in the study and Sam is holding a dollar bill.  He very carefully (and deliberately) tears it in half.
Richard : Sam!  what did you do that for?
Sam: surprised silence
Hannah: silent anticipation
Sarah: (calmly, trying to avoid drama) Sam, why did you tear that money?
Sam: I don't know.  (realizing that wasn't good enough)  I didn't know if it would tear or not.  but it does.
Sarah:  You're really surprised that it tore, aren't you?  Did you know that once when I was a kid...(story from above)
Richard: laughing at his ridiculous wife
Hannah: staring at her ridiculous mom
Sam: glad no one is yelling at him
Hannah: Really mom?  you did that?
Sarah:  Yeah!  but it makes sense doesn't it?  I mean there are a hundred pennies...
Hannah: Mom.  That's silly.
Richard: still laughing


Richard told me later that his favorite part was watching me trying to defend my six-year old self to my six- year old daughter.

Milk's favorite cookie

Today was Sam's last day of preschool.  ever.  (sniff)  Josh and I decided to enjoy our last just-mom-and-baby-josh day by eating oreos the proper way, dunked in milk until they fall apart with gooshy goodness.  This makes for a very, very happy little boy.

I just realized Josh is in his high chair for almost every one of his pictures. And this is for a good reason- if Josh is awake, and happy, and cute, then he is eating. Quite like his older brother. sigh. boys.

Braaains...

Poor baby Josh.  He's got a cold.  And an ear infection.  And conjunctivitis in both eyes.  He's just ooozing misery.  I took a picture and this is how it turned out:

 So between zombie-Josh and Sam's mystery tree rash, we're just buckets of fun over here.  Play date, anyone?

Heavenly walkie-talkie

The scene: Sam has just finished saying prayer and is going to bed.

Sam: Mom, actually, um, I didn't fold my arms.
Me: (patting his head) That's okay, baby.
Sam: Can Jesus hear us even when we don't fold our arms?
Me: Yes, he can.
Sam: Can he even hear us when we talk normal, and when we yell, and even when we whisper?
Me: Yes.
Sam: (giggling) coo-ool.

I think I may love this little boy.

May the force be with you

I have a confession.  A couple years ago my darling daughter requested a princess birthday party.  Uh, yeah, sure.   And so we did..sorta...have a small party that slightly involved princesses.
BUT.
This year, when my son asked me if he could have a  (lego) STAR WARS party, I got excited.

I mean, what more could a 1979-born geek want?

Let me say, I had so much fun.  Life simply cannot get better than a handful of kids running around with foam light sabers.  We had hot dogs, we had cupcakes, and we had a Darth Vader pinata.