Be Mine

Yesterday on the way home from school I casually, half joking, asked Justin if anyone had asked him to be their valentine. He said yes, just three girls. Luckily I didn't crash the car. The first two girls came up to him, separately, and asked. He said no thank you to each of them. One keep pestering him so he told her he would say yes if she left him alone. Then he ignored her. He thought he was so smart avoiding her. Then a third girl came up to him and asked. She even gave him candy. He said sorry, he was taken. Then he asked me if I would be his valentine. So sweet, I 'm pretty sure he was partly kidding, but I will take it while I can. Then he yelled to Charlie "Ha, Dad, Mom's taken!" He gave me a big hug. I really love this kid.

Justin also got his braces off this week. :)

Best of Today

I saw something on pinterest that suggested that you write down the best part of your day, everyday. I thought about my day and I've decided that it was when I was giving Mia a bunch of kisses she giggled and said "I love when you kiss me!!"

Totally Normal... For Us

Today I had to stipulate that no one could use accents during their prayers.

What Do You Want For Christmas?

This year I have had a hard time finding the perfect gift for Mia. I got her a few little things, but I want to get her something she will really love. I thought I might have an easy solution when she waited to ask Santa for something at the church Christmas party. When he asked her what she wanted for Christmas her response was "to have the best Christmas EVER!" Gee, thanks. I have had her look through catalogs and she points out everything, so that doesn't really help either. Tonight I had her sit on my lap and we talked. I asked if she could have anything in the whole world what would it be. She thought for a minute then faced me and said "to give all the poor people in the world a home to live in and everything they need."

Hearing Voices

Mia: Can I play on your phone?
Me: No
Mia: (talking in a deep voice and trying not to move her lips) Let Mia play on your phone.
Me: Hmm, who was that talking?
Mia: Maybe your conscience.

Bursting With Holiday Spirit

The kids have been asking for a week to decorate for Christmas. We got down the boxes and I began looking through them. Emma was at my side trying not to squeal as she saw different items. "Oooo, lights! Santa!...Oh, stockings! Can I hang them? Can I hang them? Please?!" I told her she had to wait and stay still. She tried as hard as she could to stand still and wait patiently, but I could see her start to quiver. The tension was building and she was struggling to stay in control. She couldn't contain it anymore and burst out at the top of her lungs "JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE ALL THE WAY!" It was the closet thing I've seen to turrets syndrome.

Holiday Indians

Emma and Mia were playing in character. Emma came up to me and we had this conversion.

Emma: (in a soft, almost British accent) Do you want to know why I am such a good writer?
Me: Of course, please tell me.
Emma: I am an Indian. My mother taught me to write.
Me: Oh
Emma: My father taught me to fight.
Me: What?
Emma: He taught me to fight with weapons.
Me: What kind of weapons?
Emma: A sword.
Me: Who were you fighting?
Emma: We fought during the war. I practiced and everything was destroyed, so he taught me. When I became older I fought in the war with him and we finally won.
Me: Are you an American Indian or an Indian from the country India?
Emma: I am a Holiday Indian.
Me: What is a Holiday Indian?
Emma: It is an Indian who only celebrates one holiday... I am of the Christmas Indians.