Stories

Just some things to record so I don't forget . . .

The other night, Claire was talking, and she said, "Remember that story when Jesus healed the tigers?"
I actually couldn't. So I asked for clarification. "He healed tigers?"
"Yes," she said, "The ten tigers."
"Oh . . . " I said. "You mean the ten lepers?"
"Oh yeah. The ten leopards."

*  *  *

I went to the library on Tuesday to do story time with Basil and check out some more books for Summer to read. Story time was fun, and as we were browsing the books, I caught the children's librarian and asked her how to tell what reading level the books were. I was hoping to find something a little more challenging for Summer. I said that Summer was a first grader, and she led me to a section of easy readers. I showed her the book I had in my hands (which was beyond an easy reader) and the librarian looked at me a little puzzled. "That book is a third grade reading level. Going any higher would take you to the fourth and fifth grade level." My eyes about popped out. Then her eyes about popped out when I responded, "She read about ten of these over the weekend." And I was not exaggerating!

* * *

The girls have been playing "horsie" lately, galloping around and riding each others backs. Well, Basil finally figured out how to gallop. It's a floppy, hip-sway gallop, but she can do it. And she loves it. Everywhere she goes, she gallops. Into her room. Out of her room. Into the kitchen. Out of the kitchen. Over to me. I love it.

* * *

When Claire and Pyper were just learning how to talk, they would call Summer, "Nummer." (Pyper actually still says it that way!) Well now that Basil is saying everyone's names, it's actually interesting that she doesn't say Nummer. She calls her "Summy." So sweet!

* * *

Claire in her prayers: "Please help everyone else to be wrong and me to always be right."

* * *

Pyper was coloring a picture with Rhett sitting next to her. This was their conversation:
Rhett "Is that a bear driving a car?"
Pyper "Yes."
Rhett, matter of factly, "Well, that's not very safe, is it?"
Pyper "Yes it is. He's buckled."
Rhett "But bears don't drive cars."
Pip "Why not? He's got an arm and a hand."

* * *

The other night, I was tucking Claire in and I said, "Claire, thanks for all your help today. It really makes things easier for me, and I appreciate it." She responded, "Thanks, mom. I appreciate you being my mom." :)

* * *

Pyper, while painting, "I love dark white."

* * *

I pulled a lemon out of the fridge the other night, and Basil asked, "Apple?" I said, "No, it's a lemon." She responded, "Oh. Lemon. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen."

Birthday Time

Rhett and the girls went all out for my birthday this year. 

First of all, about a month ago, Claire and I were in Fred Meyer's browsing their pots and planters. I was looking for something that would fit along the window by my sink where I could plant herbs and spices. But as we were strolling the isle, Claire said, "I know what I'm going to get you for your birthday!"

Well, the morning of my birthday came (Monday), and Claire needed me to take her to the store. We had it all figured out that I would close my eyes and she would get "the present" and then tell me the numbers so I would know how much to pay. Then she said, "I hope it's not two hundred and fifty dollars!" I said "I hope so too!" 

But Rhett, Pyper, and Claire were ready for school a little early, so he ended up taking them and Claire picked it out. They also picked out two packs of gum for me.

Summer wanted to take me to the store to pick out which cake mix and frosting I wanted, so while the others were gone, Summer, Basil and I ran to the store before first grade started, and I picked out my cake. On the way to the checkout stand, I saw Summer swipe two little packs of jelly beans (she knows I love jelly beans) and hide them in the cart. When we got home, she wrapped them up for me.

When I arrived at Claire's school to pick her up, she had two surprises for me:

One--a card she had made for me during free time.

And Two--this:

I loved it!

When everyone got home from school, we worked on making the cake. After it was cool, the girls frosted it.

(Rhett bought party hats and made everyone wear them.)

Summer wanted to write "Mom's Cake" on it, so she started with the M, but it was more difficult to squeeze the frosting out than she thought, so Rhett finished it.

The pot. Isn't it beautiful? I love it!

After dinner, everyone sang to me, I blew out the candles, we ate cake, and I opened my gifts. (I even got birthday packages from my sisters!) It was such a special day--especially to see everyone work together to make it a happy day for me. I loved it.

And no, Rhett didn't forget to get me anything. He gave me an amazing gift and sent me to a conference I was wanting to go to. It was the weekend before my birthday, and I was gone from Friday to Sunday. He took care of the girls while I ate out, went to awesome classes, and learned some amazing things. I had a great time and got to come home to celebrate my birthday with happy kids who had missed me!

And thank you all who sent birthday wishes my way! It was a wonderful day!