Fine!

It was my turn to put Miss Ellie to bed last night. After her two stories she looked at me and said, "I want my daddy!"

I replied, "Well, you get me. Tomorrow is Daddy's night to put you to bed."

She huffed and said, "Fine!"

I decided to lay down with her for a bit so I stretched out on my side next to her. My mistake.

Fuming she hollered, "Don't look at me!"

"OK!" I responded. But, before I could look away she shrieked, "Fine! I am just going to go under here and pick my nose!" And, with that, she flung her blanket over her head.

I didn't want to check to see if she was actually picking her nose because if I did she would surely see me trying desperately hard not to laugh at her!

We huffed...

...and we puffed! And we bleeeew the candles out!

Tomorrow is the big 3-6!

So, tomorrow I tack on another year. Unbelievable! My life has taken many twists and turns to arrive at this very point in time. I can be pensive and reflect on my journey, but instead I find myself immensely enjoying the sound of my dear hubs and children attempting to bake a cake. This is my hubby's first cake baking experience. And, lucky for him, it seems our almost five-year-old is the Grand Pooba of cake baking. Not only is our son barking commands, but our daughter is parroting him. So everything is echoed. I am sure my husband is exasperated, but from where I am sitting it is highly amusing.

I hear the click of glass, the whirl of the mixer (which I am surprised they located), the opening of the oven door, and the arguing of siblings. My son is detailing the next steps to my hubby. It seems there will be lots of sprinkles involved in this masterpiece. I can't wait to taste this cake which has been made with copious amounts of love. I am sure Betty Crocker will come through for my kitchen full of big-hearted bakers.

Exasperation

It is only my children who know how to push my buttons to the point of exasperation. They completely bewilder me at moments. I am amazed by their sheer gall and boldness. If I could somehow harness this fierce energy I would be a force to be reckoned with. No one would dare cross my path on a bad day. I would not filter what I say. I would not take care to not offend. I would say what I feel, when I feel it, whether it suits anyone or not.

My children don't have filters. They stand bold behind their beliefs whether that belief is that bedtime has arrived too early or that dinner is some form of poison in disguise. They will put their hands on their hips and argue their point until I am bedraggled by the mere conversation. They can talk sideways, backwards, up, and down. And, before I know it I have been talked into a corner confused at how I got there.

I am extremely thankful that these vexations are not the norm. However, having just experienced one, I am certain I will still be recovering by the time we have the next occurrence. I am not quite to the point of writhing in a corner, but I will admit that hiding under the covers sounds very appealing at the moment. And chocolate. Chocolate sounds delightful. And, a massage. A massage to ease my tension. But, instead, I will peek in on my sleeping children before I go to bed and I will see their peaceful faces and know that every exasperating moment is merely a pebble on the road of life.

Mitchell is sitting in my lap...

Let's see if I can get him to answer some questions.

1. What is Mommy's favorite color?

Pink

2. What is Mommy's favorite food?

Broccoli

3. What is Mommy's work?

Computer

4. What is Daddy's work?

The shop...where he does jobs

5. What is Mommy's favorite drink?

Water

6. What is Daddy's favorite drink?

Crystal Light

7. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?

Rest

8. What is Daddy's favorite thing to do?

Pet the doggies

9. What is Daddy's favorite food?

Tacos

10. What's Daddy's favorite color?

Red

11. What is Daddy's favorite resturaunt?

Taco Bell

12. What is Mommy's favorite TV show?

Lost

13. What is Daddy's favorite TV show?

Lost

14. Who does Mommy love?

ME! (That is what Mitchell answered! Smart boy!)

A Poem by Mitchell

I am a boy
I hear a Rhinoceros
I see a little squirrel
I want a real bear

I am a bear
I pretend to be a zebra
I feel my heart
I touch my head
I cry when I am hurt
I am good at playing

I understand being patient

I say I'll be good
I dream I touch a squirrel
I try to be good
I hope to be a Paleontologist when I grow up
I care about giving my sister kisses every night

I am Mitchell

The TV

The kidlets were playing in their toy kitchen. They decided they would clean their toy kitchen. They then decided they should clean the house. They started with the TV. They applied lots of water to the TV to clean it, because, to clean anything you have to use water. And, it stands to reason that the more water ones uses the cleaner something becomes.

The good news is that the kidlets won the battle in the war of water verses electronics. They did not electrocute themselves. The bad news is that the TV met an untimely demise. But, really, I would rather have my kids unscathed than a TV that works. And, it was an ugly, obnoxious TV anyway. You don't realize what you don't need until you raise children in your home. Like a full set of dishes or chairs withouts stains. Really, what fun is that?