Little Moments

I just need to take a minute and write down some of the little things that my kids do and say, that seem so "every-day" but I realize I might forget if I don't take the time to record it.

My kids are my world. Every day I am amazed at how big they are. Angie surprises me with her cuteness DAILY. I find myself telling her, "You're such a DOLL!" so much. While she's busy and spirited (after all....she IS two), she really is one of the sweetest things you've ever seen. Whenever you tell her you love her, she always replies, "Yuh-boo too!!!" (love you too). And for some reason, it just melts my heart every time. She always asks me to lie by her at each nap and bedtime by saying, "Way down-me?" And even though I can always think of SO many things I'd rather be doing......as soon as I kneel by her bed, she searches out my hands and will hold your hand until she falls asleep.

When I blow-dry my hair in the mornings, she always comes and rests her head in my lap. I don't even know why....but it happens every time. And on Saturday mornings, when we don't have to get out of bed, but she's allready up. She'll climb in bed with us and then ask me to scratch her back. She is usually lying across my stomach when she does this- but will often fall back asleep when I do.

Caleb is so grown up. Last week, I was stricken with a really bad cold. I never got a fever, but each evening, I'd come home from work and have ZERO energy to feed and care for the kids. Last Thursday I was at the end of my rope. I had so much nasal congestion, and was so worn out from sniffling and coughing all day that when I got home I just sat and cried for a minute. Then I told Caleb that he needed to take care of his sister until daddy got home, because mommy was just too sick. I stuck a "Stouffer's Chicken Alfredo" in the oven, and then crawled into bed. Caleb was more than willing to, "be in charge." He turned on a movie for his sister, played with her, and even (to my complete surprise) took her potty twice. I didn't have to get out of bed until Parker got home, and I was SO grateful that I didn't.

He always reminds us what we should do to, "Choose The Right." And if you tell him that he's not choosing the right.....he quickly changes his attitude and actions so that he will be doing so. He LOVES family night, and wants to discuss EVERY PICTURE in our gospel art picture book before going to bed.....even though for each lesson we're supposed to choose only ONE to talk about.

Friday night is his FAVORITE night of the week because he gets to stay up. We usually put Angie to bed, and then he sits on the counter and helps me make fruit smoothies and popcorn. He knows where all the ingredients are, and wants to do as much as he can himself. He pulls out the frozen and fresh fruit, the yogurt, and the lime sherbet ice cream from the freezer. And he likes to push the buttons to the blender as well. Then once the smoothies are made, we pick a movie and he sits up with us for an extra hour or so. Usually not the lenght of the entire movie....but long enough that he feels pretty special to be awake when he normally shouldn't.

He prides himself that he can make toast all by himself, and stir things on the stove without burning his hands. He also likes to flip pancakes and pour his own juice.

He never complains about cleaning up his room, although he still gets distracted when doing so. I still have to stop what I'm doing and help him, but he knows where things go- and doesn't throw a fit when I tell him it's time to clean up. I am grateful for this. I know this is a challenge for many parents. Don't get me wrong. He doesn't clean up after himself without being asked........but if I give him a task, "Put the shoes in the white basket." he'll do it.

He will dress himself on the weekend (not usually on a week-day because I am the one to wake him up and am usually dressing him while he's still half-asleep). And sometimes he'll even dress his sister. He is starting to like showers instead of baths, and always has to remind us how grown-up he is when he showers. I still throw the 2 kids in the bath together more often than not- because it's just easier that way. But he really is starting to enjoy a good warm shower.

He really is willing to try anything. Last weekend we were at my mom and dad's house, and Grandpa has been into making fruit/vegetable smoothies since he's been on a diet for the past month or so. My dad's smoothies usually include home-made grape juice, fresh strawberries, a banana, some frozen raspberries, and either a pear or an apple. But he also throws in spinach, cabbage, and kale. Combine that with some ice, and protein powder.....and you've got one of my dad's favorite meal replacements. Anyway. He was making one of these smoothies in front of Caleb, Dejah and Mycah- and each time he threw in a handful of vegetables the girls would say, "EEEEwwwwwww!!" Of course the finished product is usually brown or green. Although it's actually quite good, the little girls INSISTED it was gross and refused to take even a tiny sip. Caleb didn't miss a beat. He wanted to try it. And even though his cousins were chanting at him, "Don't drink it Caleb! It's GROSS!" Not only did he take a sip.....he downed an entire glass of his own. It made me so proud. I really can't say anything for it, except that I just got extremely lucky. Angie is the same way. My kids eat anything. I really am just so blessed.

I didn't mean for this to get so long so fast. But I'm glad I was able to share a few of my precious moments about my awesome children.