Archer just said "I know how to spell Dan. D-a-n. Like Uncle Dan."
Now can you spell Denise? It wasn't really a fair challenge but he tried. "D...a...e...s"

The Perfect Store

Archer just invited me into the hallway where he had set up shop, selling (library) books, (his sister's) toys, and other miscellaneous items (belonging to me). Notice that he's not selling any of his own items! I told him I wanted a book and asked him how much it cost. He said he didn't have any place to put money, so everything in his store is free. I took the book and after I was finished reading it I took it back to the store. I told Archer I would sell the book back to him for three dollars. He gave me the (pretend) money and I gave him the book. What a fantastic way to run a store, but I fear he won't be in business for long!

I should know by now...

That leaving a jar of honey on the table is asking for trouble. How long have I been a mom? 2,105 days. (YES, I figured it out.) I should know better.

DUH. If your children tell you they're hungry (for the 100th time today) and you deny them a snack (because they JUST ATE LUNCH FOR GOODNESS SAKES!!) then you leave a jar of honey on the table, its only a matter of time (in this case, about 45 minutes) before the child comes running to you crying that she's all sticky. Because of course she tried to drink the honey from the jar. And of course it spilled down the front of her shirt and pants. Guess what happens when you remove the shirt? Her hair becomes full of honey too. Guess what happens when bath night isn't scheduled for another 2 nights? Shelly's hair stays sticky. But it sure smells nice and sweet!

(Ok, I'll probably give her a bath tonight cause I don't want to get her pillow and sheets sticky, and the furniture, and anything else she touches. But really, I'm tempted to just let it be sticky.)

Awesome!

We had such a fantastic weekend, I can't think of a better way to spend my time than laughing with family and falling down about a 100 (or maybe 200?) times and still getting up laughing. We went skating with Aunt Neesie on Saturday morning, and I realized quickly at how awful I am at it. But that didn't stop us from having fun! Denise was great about helping the kids around the rink and I thought of how Dad must have felt teaching us to skate - lots of bending over, picking people up, helping someone else balance while trying not to tip over myself. The kids of course loved the hot chocolate and spending time with their cool aunt. Towards the end of our time (a full hour of skating) Archer's frustration at falling every two feet was growing. And Shelly had nearly fallen asleep in David's arms. It was time to go.

Next we dropped off Shelly at Grandma Sue's place for a slumber party, and Archer got to spend the evening with us. We went out to dinner and then Arch chose the movie - Tooth Fairy. It was surprisingly good.

Its so hard to put into words the simple joy of spending time together, of seeing each other smiling and laughing, and knowing we'll be able to laugh about the whole thing again when we remember it later. I'm praying the kids will remember the good parts and forget about the falling down and the wind and cold, that they'll know they can count on Aunt Neesie to hold them up, and pick them up, and encourage them to try again.

You will go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
~ Isaiah 55:12

I certainly felt like singing and clapping this weekend! What awesome blessings the Lord provides to his children.

The kids and I like playing word games to practice rhyming, so when going to the grocery store... Buckle buckle! Buckle muckle! Buckle knuckle! Buckle f.....!

You didn't take a nap today Shelly.
"I know, cause I already taked a nap last night . When I was in bed." Of course!

Official kindergarden news: the groundhog did NOT see his shadow. YAAY!

Entertainment

This morning we went to story time at the library and Shelly sat better than most of the other kids and absorbed everything she heard. This afternoon she was singing one of the songs, "I know an old lady who swollowed a fly." The storyteller sang this song differently than I'd heard it before, saying "perhaps she'll cry" in place of "perhaps she'll die." (Probably a good choice considering the young audience.) After Shelly sang this to herself a few times she turned to me and said, "I know why her cried, Mom." Oh yeah, why? "Because her ate all the animals. There were no more left." Of course!!

She has a great way of entertaining herself. At the grocry store as we waited in a REALLY slow line (some kind of technical difficulty or something) she just sat in the cart talking to herself, and singing, and generally providing smiles for all of us around her. Once we got into the car, though, she was done with waiting. I was checking my phone before I pulled out of the parking spot and Shelly said, "What's wrong Mom? Don't you want to go?" As I started to answer her, she interupted me to say, "Then GO!" She wasn't being disrespectful, and I couldn't help but laugh, ok, point taken!

Archer just showed me what he learned in school today - the lame dog walk. Sounds fun, wish I had been there to see 26 kids hopping around on 3 "legs"!

Shelly just walked up to me wearing her pink princess dress, "Do I look stylish Mom?" Of course Shelly, always!