On Talking with a 4-year-old

Elijah is 4-and-a-half now and I'm loving this age so much because we can really communicate with each other. It's amazing how we can have conversations with a very mutual give and take, learning of information, sharing of feelings, gathering of facts, imparting of ideas. It's sweet and refreshing. And I adore the times we talk like that. Lately I've been trying hard to nurture his talkative side.  I've been told that as boys get older they eventually stop speaking to their parents altogether. I don't want that to happen so I'm trying to establish good lines of communications now while he's willing to tell me every thought that enters his mind.  Our best talks sometimes happen in the car.  As was the case a few days ago on the way home from preschool.  He really opens up and lets the ideas fly as we're sitting there, just the two of us.

Peering out the side window he causally said to me, "Hey Mom, God is everywhere. Right?"

"That's right." I replied.

Excitedly, "Then, can He come to my birthday party?"

"Um, well. Sure. He's always with you. So yes, He'll be there too." I said.

Then with a little anxiety in his voice he asked, "But, how will we send Him an invitation?"

{I had to stifle my laughter.}
"Don't worry baby, I'll take care of that!" I told him.


Oh, the sweet innocence of my boy. I love love love him.

And boy, does he love me too.  He tells me so at least 20 times a day.  "Mom" he'll say "You're the best Mom in the whole world. I can't stop loving you."

Last night he came to me with a twinkle in his eye and a wonderful idea. "I want to go on a date with you!"  he explained.  "Oh, where are you taking me?"  "To Arby's. AND... and, we can even go inside to eat! And Zeke can't come. It's just you and me, Mom." 



First harvest of lettuce from his "hot box" garden. Yum!



Sunday Conversations

I know I don't talk a lot about all the little things my boys do any more. But today is one of those days that I just have to write it down or I'll forget these precious times.

Driving home from church today this how my conversation went with Elijah...

- Mom, will I still be alive when God snatches me up to heaven?
- Well, it depends on if you die before Jesus comes back to get us and we meet Him in the air. If your body dies first, then God takes your spirit to be with him in Heaven.
- Yeah! Which part is my spirit?
- Its the part on the inside that makes you alive and makes you who you are.
- So its the part that wants to be an engineer when I grow up... and then a bulldozer operator.
- Sure!
- Mom, when we get home I'm going to pray and ask God about that.
- Okay honey, but you know you can pray anywhere. Even in the car.
- Oh yeah, that's right! {closes eyes, folds hands} "Dear God, do you want to be my friend? And when I grow up can I please be an engineer? And then a bulldozer operator? Amen."
- Amen. What did you talk about in your Sunday school class today.
- I can't remember. Hey Mom, When God created the heavens and the earth did He have helpers, and robots, and heavy equipment and stuff?
- No honey. God didn't need any of that stuff. He's so powerful that all he had to do is speak the word and they were created!
- You mean he didn't need any machines? Not even to build the buildings and roads?
- Well, in the beginning God made the earth, sky, waters, animals, birds, fish, and people. Then He gave the people good minds to figure out how to use the materials they found to make tools and build things.
- Oh, so God made people, and people made things! Now I get it! I'm pretty smart, Mom. But after He said 'Let there be light' did He say 'let there be bulldozers and diggers and stuff?'
- No baby. He just said it was good.
- Mom, I'm sorry that sometimes I hurt Zekie. It's just that I'm too good at wrestling.

Then later...
Mom, I'm going to pray and ask Jesus if its OK for me to live in that house next door to Grandma Debby. Because I love her and I want to be her neighbor.

That's what he said: engineer

E: Mom, what's an engineer?

me: It's someone who designs and makes things.

E: Oh, so God is an engineer then.

me: Yes, He sure is!

E: Yep, He's the BEST engineer because He made EVERYTHING!

That's what he said: Teeth, God, and Prayers

Discussing with Elijah the importance of brushing one's teeth:
E: "But Mom, maybe just not tonight?"
Me: "No Elijah, we all have to brush our teeth every day, and it will only take a minute."
E: "Everyone?"
Me: "Yes."
E: "Well, does God have to brush His teeth?"
Me: "No. God doesn't have teeth."
E: "WHAT? He doesn't?????" (scandalized!)
Me: "Nope, He doesn't have a body, so he doesn't have teeth. God is Spirit."
E: "Yeah! Like when I die, God will take my spirit away to Heaven. That's what Mrs. Godshall said."
Me: "Yes, you do have a spirit. And if you trust in Jesus that's the part of you that will live on in Heaven after your body dies."
E: "Yeah and if God doesn't need to brush His teeth then maybe I don't have to."

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During our morning drive to drop the boys at my Mom's house:
E: "Mom, will you pray for me?"
Me: "Sure honey." (we pray...)
E: "Amen.... um, but Mom?"
Me: "huh?"
E: "You forgot to pray for me to go to school."
Me: "Oh, ok." (we pray for him to have a good day at school, etc.)
E: "Amen! Yep. That ought'a get it!"

Thing One

Elijah was reprimanded in the car for talking back to Manny. He was very repentant and sorry. He became quite for a minute, then perked up with this:

"Oh! I know! I have a great idea. Let's just try to start over. All you need is a super duper helper camera. And you take it up to space. And then. Then you push this button on it and it makes the earth go back and start today over again."

I can see how he would see this as a perfect solution for his problem. Go back, get a do-over, and next time don't talk back. It's genius.
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He's a spelling maniac lately. His favorite words today are: tree, train, truck, green, red, blue, yellow, go, stop, hop, all, and bee.
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Over the past week I've seen a real improvement in his ability to write and draw "freehand" without tracing. Before he would always tell me he didn't want to try to write his name because he would mess up and he didn't want to do it if he couldn't do it right. Seriously. A perfectionist at age 4. But his PreK teacher has been working with him and he now writes all the letters of his name very well. He also is GREAT at drawing triangles, circles, squares, staying in the lines (completely) when coloring or painting, and cutting on the line. School is doing him some good.
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Yesterday we had this conversation in the car:
"Mom, where is Heaven?
"Well, I supposed its in another dimension that we can't see with our eyes until we get there. Why were you thinking about Heaven?"
"Oh, because I was thinking about God. And that He lives there."...
"What made you think about God?"...
"I don't know. That's just the way life is. Sometimes I just think about God."
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Then last night I heard: "Look! I got 3 yellow squares in a row on this aerobics cube!" (Rubik cube) I tell you what, if he works that Rubik cube, I don't care what it costs, I'm putting him in a special school!

That's What He Said: on love and marriage

"Hey Elijah, do you have a girlfriend in your PreK class?
[confusion]
"Um... no. [pause several beats. then face lights up] But I do have a Grandma Debby!"

My sweet boy just adores his Grandma. He asked me recently if I'll marry him when he grows up. I had to turn him down and explain I'm already married to Daddy. I watched his brow furrow and he became silent for a moment. Then he looked slightly less disappointed and replied "Well that's ok. I'll just marry Grandma Debby in stead."

isms

You know, I love this kid!
He's been up to so much lately, since I've talked about him last. Here are a few of his recent jewels.

At dinner we were eating corn. Elijah asked how the kernels get off the cob. I told him they probably have a special machine. He asked what the machine is called. I said it's called a corn-cobber (totally pulled that out of thin air). Then he looked at me in disbelief and said "Actually Mom, it's called a combine." As in, duh Mom. Even I know that.

I swear, he says the word "actually" to me so often it's about to become his nickname.

Elijah Actually Gutierrez.
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My cousin's daughter, Emmi, had her 1st birthday party last weekend. Naturally we had torrential rain at the exact time I needed to load the boys, the gift, and all our junk into the car (by myself; my husband works weekends). After making seventy-billion trips from the house to the car, getting completely soaked, ruining my normally gorgeous hair-do (ha), and simultaneously working up a nice sweat I plopped my drenched body into my seat and heaved a huge sigh. I just sat there for a minute before starting the car, trying to recover my sanity. Elijah picked up on the frustration and said from the back seat "Thank you Lord for this rain. And thank you Lord for Emmi. Amen."
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Last week I was getting the boys out of the car and hit my knee so hard I needed to sit down for a second to recover. I hobbled over to the steps to catch my breath. My sweet Elijah came over, sat next to me, put his arm around my shoulders and said sweetly "Dear Jesus, please take care of my Mommy. No matter what. Amen."
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We've been having races up and down the driveway at my Mom's house recently. For some reason he just discovered that his shadow follows him everywhere. So he's started racing his shadow. It's usually a tie. Go figure.

-
What did the cat say when someone stepped on his tail?
Me-ow

Why did the banana go to the doctor?
He wasn't peeling well.

What did the Mommy bird say to the baby bird when he went into the nest?
Wipe your tweet!
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And for good measure, here he is with my Dad on the good ol' John Deere.

Mountains, Steam Mops & Idiot Cycles

Oh, to be inside the mind of my three-year-old!

At the dinner table, a conversation between Elijah and me...
Does Ezekiel want some pineapple?
No, thanks.
Does he like cow's milk?
No.
Does he like Mommy's milk?
Yes.
Does Mommy have milk because she has a breast?
Yes.
Does Daddy have a breast?
No.
Do I?
No.
Does Grandma Debby?
Yes.
Because she's a girl? And only girls have breasts?
Yes.
Does Grandma have milk in hers?
No.
Is that because her breast isn't a mountain like yours?
-pause-
Hers are just short ones?
{laughter from Manny and me}
Yes, that's right.
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Last night Elijah was snacking on some Wavy Lays. He placed one on his shoulder and said "Hey Grandma look. I have a chip on my shoulder."
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After being disobedient and unruly at the office a few days ago I informed Elijah that we would not be going to Big Top for a treat. He cried the whole way home. I used the opportunity to explain to him that we don't reward bad behavior. But he'll have another chance to listen and obey in a few days, so we'll see how things go then. The good thing is that we always have more chances to make better choices. He was very repentant. When we walked in the door at home he threw his arm over his face, and with as much melodrama as he could muster, exclaimed "This is the worst day ever!"
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Manny gave Elijah a shower right before bed last night while I was nursing Ezekiel. When Zeke had been put to bed, I went to tuck Elijah in. As I leaned over him he whispered to me "Mom, my pillow pet got a little bit wet. But that's ok. Dad says it happens to him sometimes too. When you take a shower before bed, if your hair is wet sometimes you get your pillow a little wet. But it's ok because it dries fast."
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He found my Bible sitting on the kitchen table. I normally let him page through and pretend that he's reading while looking at the maps in the back. He came walking into the living room holding it open in both hands, head down in concentration, and mumbled to himself "This is God's Holy Word."
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It was after 10:30 pm and I was turning in for the night recently. As I opened Elijah's door to check on him one last time I saw him open his eyes. He should have been fast asleep by then, but he must have been staying up late doing some deep thinking. He called out to me, "Hey Mom! You know what you should have? You need an O Cedar Pro Mist!"
"A what?"
"An O Cedar Pro Mist!"
"Really? Why do you say that?"
"Because it can suck up M&Ms and cleans the floor and stuff."
"Oh?"
"Yeah! And it you push the blue trigger and water comes out to clean the floor! And then you take off the blue pad and you can wash it! That's why I think you need one."
"Wow. Thanks honey. That sounds like something I could use."
"Yeah! So next time we're at Wal-Mart I'm going to buy you one. Ok?"
"Thanks! That's so sweet of you."
"Mom?... I wonder if Grandma Debby needs one too? I think I'll buy her one at Wal-Mart too."
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Out of nowhere he asked me last night, "Mom, what's a washable microfiber pad?"
I suppose he must have been watching a commercial.
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At bed time recently I kissed Elijah goodnight. He then asked, "Can you give me an idiot cycle?"
I said "Honey, I don't know what that means. What is an idiot cycle?"
He said, "You know! It's a kind of kiss!"
"I'm sorry. I still don't understand. What kind of kiss are you talking about?"
"You know Mom! It's the kind of kiss where you rub your noses together.", he explained.
"Oh, you mean an Eskimo kiss!"
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Sometimes when we spend time with both my Mom and Grandma Theresa, Elijah will address them like this: "hey grandmas!"

Little Gems

Oh Elijah. Funny, funny Elijah.

On Friday night we were at my parents' house. Mom went out to the garage for something and while she was out there she got a bloody nose. She called to Elijah, who was watching her from the back door, "Quick Elijah, run and get Grandma a tissue. My nose is bleeding." To which he replied in a very loud and authoritative tone "Grandma, remain calm!".

Yesterday we were looking out my bedroom window at Elijah's playhouse in the side yard. His view was obstructed by some tree limbs, which are about 20 feet off the ground. He asked, "Can Daddy go cut those branches down so I can see my playhouse better?" "No, honey." I said, "Those branches are pretty high up. I don't think Daddy can reach them." "Oh, that's ok, he can stand on his tippy toes and use his chain saw." But when I told him "Well, actually Daddy doesn't have a chain saw", he broke down and cried. "But Mom, everyone needs a chain saw!"

He was recently playing with my coupon book, looking at all the pictures and pretending to read the words. He got finished, closed the book, looked up at me and said "Boy Mom, there sure are a lot of discounts in here."

At the grocery store the other day we were picking out some produce. Elijah really wanted some blueberries but I told him no because they are too expensive when they're not in season. He accepted that answer and moved on. We picked up several fruits and discussed whether each one was "in season" right now. Apples... yes. Strawberries... no. Pears... yes. Bananas... yes. Peaches... no. Then we made our way through the rest of the store. When we came to the snack asile he asked "Mom, are cokes in season?". Umm, no. :)

Manny's birthday and stuff

Today is my husband's 33rd birthday. Happy birthday Manny! I heart you. Elijah and I decorated with yellow streamers and balloons yesterday. He was spinning with excitement. This afternoon we'll have lunch as a family, then Elijah and I will bake a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and top it with yellow "Thomas" decorations.

Last night I had a dream that my mom drove my car off the edge of a wall in a parking lot on Green River Rd and totally broke off the front end. And I was so mad that I cussed.... in my dream... not in real life. Because I don't cuss in real life.

I've had a cold for 2 weeks. It's crappy because I can't take antihistamines (milk supply) and I can't breath. Blech. Can I just be healthy for a minute?

Elijah was watching me get ready yesterday morning. He said "Mom I want to be a daddy when I grow up. Yeah! And I'm going to find myself a good woman! And she's going to have two babies named Elijah. And you and Daddy are going to be our kids. And I'm going to be the Daddy."

Before bed last night we were talking about how he can practice obedience. I asked if he understood and he said, "Yeah, like if you say 'Elijah, don't eat that cake right now.' I won't eat it."

This morning Elijah and Manny were playing some sort of shoot-em-up game and Elijah pretend shot Manny. He said "Daddy, I shot you so much and now you're dead!" And Manny said we don't shoot people, even for pretend. And Elijah said (in his most whiney voice) "But Daddy, Heaven is a beautiful place!"


I've lost 5 pounds in the last 3 weeks. Not on purpose. Maybe because I've been sick. Maybe because of nursing. Or the new medicine I'm taking kind of makes me nauseated so I'm not as hungry. I'm not complaining though.


I'm soooooooooo ready for Spring! We've had snow snow and more snow. Nothing too heavy, but just day after day of waking up to grey skies and a layer of the white stuff covering the ground. I'm over it.

For Posterity

So I have a three-year-old son. You may have heard. He's awesome and I'm totally in love with him. The thing about Elijah is I'm constantly amazed by him. I mean, really, all day long I'm shaking my head. I'm starting to realize that I have to be very cautious about the things I let him see and hear. Equally, I can see the necessity for challenging him intellectually. He's going to be a smart one - which is wonderful - but opens up a whole other set of challenges for me in teaching him.

He's just so funny and comes up with these little things that make me say "I really should be writing this stuff down." So I am, for posterity, and all that. You're welcome, future Elijah. And you're welcome, future Elijah's wife... whoever you may be, because we all know its the wife who really cares about things like this anyway. (Isn't it crazy to think that whoever she is, she's probably alive right now. Doing similar things.)

The other night we were watching Glee, which is normally innocent enough for him to be in the same room without me be worrying he'll see something bad. There was a scene where Rachel and Finn kissed - they were holding each other's faces and being a little too passionate for a kid to see. But Elijah saw it. I tried to play it off like they were just acting silly. After all, Mommy kisses Daddy like that, right? Ha ha ha. [gulp] Later that night when I was tucking him in he said "Oh, Mommy let me give you a kiss before you go." He reached up, took my face in his hands, pulled me down to him and planted a big wet one right on my mouth just like they did on TV. So yeah, great.

We've been working a little bit on reading these days. He knows all the upper-case letters, most of the lower-case ones (he gets confused with n, m, w, and u), and the sound each one makes. Plus he's learned a few things about vowels, like two Os say oo. And he can read a few words now. I think it's partially memorization, but it's a good start. These are the words I know he knows...

Elijah, Ezekiel, Mom, Dad, Daniel, Truck, Train, Red, Stop, Go, No, Yes, Cat, Dog, Allstate, Food.
(I'm sure there are some I'm forgetting.)

The other morning he climbed into bed with us, was cuddled up next to me touching my cheek and hair when he said in the sweetest voice "Mommy, I really love your ears".

The two of us are loving our nighttime routine of reading from his new Bible before bed. Moms, if you are looking for a wonderful, beautifully written children's Bible, you should check out The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every story whispers His name. It's so Christ-centered and really does a great job of introducing elements of the Gospel in every story, even the Old Testament. I can't say enough how much we enjoy it. If you don't have it, buy it. Now. :)

my boys

Ezekiel found his feet a few days ago. I love the way he grabs them and tries to put them in his mouth. He's succeeded a few times. From what I hear, toes make excellent teethers. Speaking of grabbing things... he's really getting better at controlling his hands. He's able to grasp things on purpose and put them where he wants them - which of course is in his mouth! And that's because he's still working on those stinking teeth! I swear this teething business has been going on since he was 8 weeks old. Bless his baby heart. I can't say that I'm really looking forward to them breaking through however, because that means OUCH for Mommy. He already clamps down pretty hard sometimes while nursing. A few times I've even yelped. Yes'sir, those gums have hard bone under them. Just like a snapping turtle!

This week my parents are on a little vacation (more on why later) to Texas so we're scrambling to have other people watch the boys. You know, because my Mom normally keeps them while I'm at work. So this week Manny has them part of the time and my Grandma Theresa has them part of the time. Except Manny is "deathly" ill with cough, cold, fever, chills, body aches. Yeah, so that's not working out so well. I don't even want to think about poor Ezekiel catching whatever Manny has. Thankfully Ragon is staying with us so she's able to help out. And boy, has she been a tremendous help!

Yesterday Grandma gave Zeke all his lunchtime bottle (I pump at work... oh joy.) and when he was still sucking "like no tomorrow" [her words] she heated up the second one and he finished that too! Conclusion: my baby is ready for cereal. I'm going to try giving him some tonight and see how he does. He's 5 and 1/2 months now so it's just about time. I was going to wait until 6 months, but we're pretty close. Something tells me I'll have a picture or two of the occasion to share.

Now Elijah... or should I say Frosty? Because that's what he goes by these days. Either Frosty, or Lightning McQueen, or Mater, or Thomas. And depending upon his identity at the moment he insists that Ezekiel and I go by corresponding names. Like when he's Thomas, Zeke is Percy and I'm Lady. (It's pretty funny when he says "Hey Lady do you want to such and such....") Or when he's Lightning, I'm Miss Sally, and Zeke is Mater. You get the idea. So yesterday he was Frosty, faithfully, ALL DAY LONG. And he will not give you the time of day unless you acknowledge the fact. And have I mentioned that he dictates a play-by-play dialogue for us?

It goes like this: "Hey Mom, I'm Frosty! I'm going to eat a carrot for breakfast because I LOOOOVE carrots. My nose is made out of a carrot. Hey Mom, can you say 'Oh, that's great, Frosty. Carrots are good for you, Frosty.'? Mom, say that!"

And that's the scene all day long. Just in variations. It's fun for oh, ten minutes. Then it gets a little tiresome and I have to remind "Frosty" that I'm the Mommy and I'll say what's on my mind, not on his mind. And that's more fun anyway because it keeps him on his toes, not knowing what I'm going to say next, rather than sticking to the script. I do play along most of the time though, just because I love him so much and some of the things he comes up with are so funny and creative.

The other night he came to me in the kitchen after reading a book with Aunt Ragon. He said "Mom, I need you to help me get on the computer." Of course I said "absolutely not." Then he said "But Mom, I need to look up Chuck and Friends dot com. Mom I neeeeeed to." Turns out this is the website mentioned on the back of the book they were reading.

Yesterday at Grandma's house I informed him it was time to pick up toys and get ready to leave. He threw his hands down to his side, dropped his head dramatically and said "You've got to be kidding me!" (I wonder where he gets his melodrama!?) :)

Happy St. Nick's Day and whatever else

Not that we celebrate it or anything. Last night I told Elijah about stockings, and that even though traditionally stockings are opened today, we're going to open ours on Christmas morning (or maybe Eve - we'll see). We talked about what he might like to find in his stocking. He told me he'd like an orange, some strawberry gum, some french fries, and something with wheels. I think I can do all but the fries.

Then last night out of the blue he informed me "Mommy, when I grow up I'm going to be an engineer. And a helicopter pilot." That's my boy! "Wonderful," I told him, "Daddy and I will support you no matter what you chose to do, as long as you go to college!"

Next Sunday evening my little boy is set to make his on-stage debut in the church children's choir concert. He and the other pre-schoolers will be singing "Gospel Bells" and "God loved us and sent His son". You better believe I'll be front and center- video camera in one hand, kleenex in the other!! Sniff, sniff.

Zeke learned how to bounce in the Jump-A-Roo last night! He's been playing in it for a few weeks now. But last night was the first time he really jumped in it. (The best part is that I caught the moment on video!) Mostly he just rocks back and forth while trying to somehow fit the toys into his mouth.

Today he rolled from his tummy to his back for the first time. Mom was babysitting while I was at work. She put him down for his nap on his tummy and discovered him in the crib talking to himself a few minutes later laying on his back.

He also is working on another new trick... the one where he arches his back and twists his body around like he's about to roll from his back to his tummy too! What? Its too soon, I know! And when he has tummy time he scoots his little butt into the air like he's fixin to get up on all fours! No, I say! Stay my little baby for a while longer! He's just 4 months old - much too young to even be thinking about being mobile. But if there's one thing he's not, it's little. This kid is a haus. He has two hamhock legs and the cutest, roundest, chubbiest cheeks ever. And he's got his Daddy's huge mouth and perfect lips. They are beautiful - so rosie and kissable. He has laughter (and other happy sounds) that just melt your heart. Last night I put him in bed and listened for a good 15 minutes while he cooed to himself before falling asleep. I think he likes the sound of his voice.

I could go on and on about how much I love my boys! What wonderful treasures I've been given. Every day I get to know them, I somehow love them more. What a happy thing it is to be a Mommy.

My 600th post is about Elijah. Surprise!

Last night Manny and Elijah had their nighttime ritual of brushing teeth, going potty, getting PJs on, "fluff and tuck"ing (which involves one very soft blankie), and reading some stories before bed. As per usual, when I finished feeding Ezekiel, I came in to tell Elijah goodnight and administer several dozen kisses and hugs. It's one of my favorite jobs as a Mom.

As always, I lay down on his bed, snuggled in close and wrapped my arms around him, whispering 'I love you's and wishing him sweet dreams. That's when he turned his head to face me, touched my cheek and said "Aww. You're a really good Mommy. I love you Soooo much." It's moments like this that make everything else worth while.

And then this morning he woke up bright and early -- thank you so much Daylight Savings Time! Ugh. He moseyed on in to our room, climbed up on top of me and sweetly proclaimed "Mom! Your hair looks like a forest!" One thing about this boy, I can be sure he always speaks the truth. Most of the time its great that he hasn't learned to lie yet. I love that about him.

When we drive in the car to my Mom's house I try to use the opportunities to teach him. (While he's captive!) He's so curious about how things work, where things come from, and why things are the way they are. At his age he's able to understand quite a bit about God. He constantly asks questions. Like a few weeks ago he noticed the farmers had harvested the last of the crops. (Yeah, we're country folk!) He asked something about God making soy beans and corn. I told him that's right... God made everything. His reply, "Yeah, and God made combines and tractors too!"

So this morning we were driving and practicing (a very simple version) of a children's catechism. I'm not trying to teach him all of it yet, but there are some good question/answers that are easy enough for him to understand and memorize. (Who made you? God made me. What else did God make? God made all things. Why did God make all things? For His own glory. ETC...) But one of my favorite Q&A isn't found in the children's' version - it's from the Westminster Catechism. Q: "What is the chief end of man?" A: "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever." So good, right? And how cute to hear my sweet little boy's 3-year-old voice say it. Music to this momma's ears. :) I'm going to try to record him saying it so I can post a video.

p.s. Stephanie Nielson (aka. NieNie) recently reviewed a new Tamron lens for her camera. I've entered to win (crossing my fingers) and you too by clicking here.

Reading

Last night before bed Elijah and I played a reading game. We had an extra hour to spend together before I needed to feed Zeke, which rarely happens. So I spread a blanket out on the floor and lined the edges with a dozen books. I told him we could read them all and when we were done it would be bedtime. He got to pick which ones he wanted in what order. Then for a whole hour we sat cross-legged on the floor, read, and talked about everything in the world. (He's chatty.)

But when it was time to get up my back ached. So I laid myself flat out on the floor to stretch. I moaned and my bones literally creaked. Elijah rushed to my side, "What's wrong Mommy?" "Oh", I said, "I'm just getting old." And without missing a beat he replied "It's ok. I guess Daddy will have to get a new Mommy or something."

ba-dum-ching

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Speaking of reading. My mom bought the boys Your Baby Can Read (as seen on TV... but she didn't get it on TV. She found it on sale at wal.mart). I normally don't buy in to stuff like that, but a few weeks ago a lady came into our office with her 18 month old daughter. The girl was READING - I mean, really reading whole paragraphs. And it wasn't memorization or sight-reading either. My mom handed her a big kid book she'd never seen before and she really read it. They started her on the program when she was 6 months and it worked! Her mom said she was speaking in full sentences before she was a year old and was reading before a year and a half. Amazing! So we're going to use it with Elijah starting now. And we'll start Zeke with it when he's 6 months. I'll let you know how that works out.

I think Elijah will learn it quickly because he's already moving in that direction. A few days ago we were drawing with sidewalk chalk and he asked me to write something. So I wrote -M-... he identified the letter. Then I wrote -O-... he identified that. Then another -M-. Then he said, "That says M-O-M. Mom." It was the first word he's read beside his own name! So I know he has the concept for reading already (which he should since he's 3 now!).

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It finally rained here in southern Indiana!! Woohoo! Normally I would be cheering for sunny days, but since it's SO dry here -- crunchy grass, cracks in the ground, West-Texas dry -- we needed a little waterin'. Now maybe my trees and flowers won't die.

Also, I'm working on posting some more fall pictures. Is there a way to post a slideshow in stead of each individual photo? More to come later today...

Who doesn't love a bullited list?

THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS I'd like to mention since I've missed so much over the past 2 weeks.

1) The fall festival happened. I ate a lot of fried food. My aunt and uncle visited from TX. It was a lovely time. Elijah and Gracie are new best friends forever.

2) Ezekiel turned 3 months old over the weekend. How has this happened? My squeaky, wrinkled infant is morphing into a regular baby right in front of my eyes.

3) The weekend before last we had our fall family photos taken. We didn't get a ton of great ones, but there were a few I liked. It's hard when you have two little ones. At least we got a decent one to use for our Christmas card. I'll post some soon.

4) I finally threw caution to the wind, put my camera in Manual, and just started snapping away. The more I practice with it, the better they get. And so far I'm super happy with the results. It's exciting to just go for it! (What took me so long?)

5) Elijah is probably the funniest kid I've ever known. He thinks funny thoughts and amazes me with how observant he is. I'm going to tell you now about some of the stuff he's said recently that made me laugh.

- For the first time in a long time Manny didn't have to work this Sunday. As we were all getting ready for church Manny said to Elijah, "Hey buddy, guess what. I get to go to church with you today." to which Elijah replied, "Oh no Dad, you can't. You have to work on Sundays."

- In the car on the way, Elijah was chanting to himself (not at all uncommon): "Mama Mia... Mama Mia... Mama Mia... Hey Mom, what does Mama Mia mean?"
Me: "Well, it's Italian for 'my mother'."
Elijah: "Oh. Like Grandma Debby or something?" (Because he knows she is my mother. See?)

- Later on that same drive to church. Elijah: "Mom, Grandpa Dan told me 'hey dude' yesterday. What's 'dude' mean?"
Me: "It's like calling someone 'guy'."
Elijah: "Yeah, like Guy Fieri on TV."

- Even later on that same drive to church. "Hey guys. Look at all the trees! They are so colorful and vivid!"

- While watching me get ready for work one morning: "Mom, you need some product in your hair."

- The other day he told his first joke. "What has 4 wheels and flys?"... "A garbage truck!" Ha ha!

that's what he said

Elijah: "Mom, what does the word 'noisy' mean?"

Me: "Loud."

Elijah: "Oh, you mean like the hydraulics on a dump truck?"

--

Seeing a dirt bike for sale next to the road... "Oh man! I really wish I could have that number one yellow motorcycle so I could take you for a ride Mom."

That's what he said: swiper

If you are a mom of a toddler you have probably seen an episode of Dora so you can appreciate the following scene.

This morning Elijah was playing with Manny while I got dressed nearby. He was being naughty with whatever toy he was playing with, pinching or something I think. So after several warnings, Manny had to take the toy away from him. What I heard from Elijah next would have broken my heart if it wasn't so hilarious!

Between heart-wrenching sobs I heard him whale, "Oooohhhh! Swiper, no swiping!"

Manny and I exchanged glances, both trying to contain our outbursts of laughter.

That's what he said: oncoming

Driving home in the dark with Elijah
we saw a car's headlights approaching.

He asked "Hey Momma, what's that up there?"

"Those lights? Well, that's just an oncoming vehicle."

"What's oncoming mean, Momma?"

"It means something that's moving toward you from the opposite direction."

"Yeah! It sure does! (in a high-pitched squeal) Like a cow. Or a watermelon."

two stories... or maybe four

Last night I overheard the following from my kitchen.

Manny: "Elijah, take that cap out of your mouth. I've already asked you 3 times tonight not to put strange objects in your mouth."

Elijah: "Oh, Daddy. I was just trying to lick this."

Manny: "Son, get it out of your mouth now. It's dangerous."

Elijah: "But Daddy..."

Manny: "Elijah, you are being disobedient so I have to give you a spanking."
[muffled sound of 2 swats followed by crying]

Elijah: "Daddy, I forgive you." [more crying]
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This morning getting ready for work Elijah and I were in my bathroom when he found my ring, which I had removed while putting on lotion.

Elijah: "What's this mom?"

Me: "That's my wedding ring."

Elijah: "Yeah, it is. What's a wedding ring mean mom?"

Me: "It means you are married."

Elijah: "What's married mom?"

Me: "It means a man and woman promise to be together for their whole lives. And love each other."

Elijah: "What a wedding ring for mom?"

Me: "When you get married you wear your ring to remind you and other people that you are committed to your spouse."

Elijah: "Momma, I'm going to marry you!"

Me: "Honey, that's very sweet and I love you! But I'm already married to Daddy."

Elijah: "No-oooooooo! To me! I really like you Momma."
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We have a remote for my parents' garage door opener in our car so that we can get in even when they aren't home. My habit is that I open the door every time we drive up their driveway just because we like to go in through the garage even when they are home. Likewise, I always close the door as we back out of the driveway so my mom doesn't have to worry about it.

So little mister observant pants said to me the other day, "Oh Momma, I recognized something!! When your car drives up the hill at Grandma's house it makes the garage door open. And when your car goes backwards down the hill it makes the garage door close."
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There's a Veteran's cemetery on the way to my grandparents' house. When we drive past, Elijah and I always talk about what we see... flowers, gravestones, American flags. And because it's for veterans there are always lots of flags on the headstones. Recently we went by and he remarked "There's the cemetery. That's where you go to get American flags."