Heard around my house...

Bella (age 5)"... and dear Jesus, please have Arielle get married and have kids and live in the blue house by mine and dear Jesus, Amen."

This seems to be B.'s big focus these days - getting married and having kids. She's following in my footsteps. I wanted to be married at 18 and have all my kids by the time I was 24. Yup. Big dreams. ;) I am SO glad that God didn't give me what I (thought I) wanted at the time. He had me wait until I was wanting His best for me. Along the way I got my Social Work diploma; my B.A. and my After Education Degree. I didn't just sit and wait, my life carried on. I met my husband when I was just 28; got engaged 7 months later; married a year after that at 29; had my first child, C., at 30. I think, as an older mother, that I can appreciate my kids a little more - stay in the present a little more - than I would have in my early 20's. I know how fleeting time is. Even now, it's hard to accept that my oldest is 9.5 yrs. Half-way to leaving the nest. (!) The time has gone by so fast.

So, my little girl wants to grow up and get married ("to my Prince") and have kids. She was all worried and practically in tears because she didn't know how to cook anything. I told her not to worry, that I would teach her how to cook. The other day we made cinnamon buns and she said, "Oh good! Now I know how to make 2 things - cereal and cinnamon buns - for my kids to eat!!"

After she said that prayer tonight at supper, I asked her if she wanted Arielle to live next door to her. "NO! I want to Arielle to live in a red house over on this side and I'll live in a blue house over here." (said with her arms stretched as far apart as possible - denoting the great distance between their two houses)

She is so helpful and funny. :) My little girl who wants to be a woman too soon. I just had some words from 'My funny valentine' pop into my head, 'Stay little Valentine, Stay!' I'll have to sing to her tomorrow.

And teach her how to make a casserole.

Mermaid Soup

Mermaid Soup... this one took Kevin and I a few minutes to figure out.... Isabella asked for 'Mermaid Soup' and now that's what both girls call mushroom soup. Isn't that cute? :)

Kid-ism's from today

Tonight while giving the girls a bath, B. asked me, "Can we have a 'Let's Be Naked Day'?"

Me: ???(stunned) "Nope!"

~~~
Tonight while cutting C.'s hair:
Me:"This is going to be sooo good that Daddy..."
Caleb: "...is going to say, "I should go on dates with Mom more!"

~~~
I just love the funny things that my kids are saying these days. I can't remember them all and I need to just go run and write them down as soon as they happen.

It's a beautiful Autumn here and I'm enjoying the deep blue skies, leaves turning colours, and the gradual change that happens in our area when the lake is getting ready for winter. It's quiet and everything slows down.

I can hardly wait for the first snowfall!

"Berry" means "Fairy"

It is so cute how my 4 year old says 'Berry-Bella' and "Berry-Mommy"... when actually she means to say "Fairy-Bella" and "Fairy-Mommy". I just figured it out this week when she wanted to dress up as a "berry" with her "berry-wings" and her "Berry-wand" and her "berry-crown" and her "berry-skirt" with the "berries all over it". :)

She's the cutest 'Berry' fairy that I know!

getting my blood drawn (not my fav. - after you've been pregnant 4 times, it gets old fast!) BUT my lab tech is AWESOME at it and I hardly feel a thing (!!!); the still, peaceful quiet of my village; having my kids all welcome me home when I got back (celebration!); massage from my husband; knowing that our firewood will be here before dark! (yay!!); looking forward to a cozy evening in front of the fire; homemade cinnamon buns; playing games; Family Fun Fridays with pizza for supper (our tradition!); making up a blues song about my 8 year old son on the spot at the lunch table and having my 4 year old daughter start doing 'air harmonica' with me (HA-HA-hilarious!!!); listening to my girls sing their rendition of 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' at the top of their lungs complete with actions... these are a few of my favorite things today!

A Berry-Special Day

"Mommy, can you call me 'Berry-Bella'?" my four year old daughter asks me. "Of course!" I reply. "And can I call you 'Berry-Mommy'?" "Sure!" And so it begins, this season of pretend-play; imagining you can change your name and shape others into who you want them to be in order to create your princess-perfect world. I love every minute of her dreams and wishes. I love her dressing up as Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and The Little Mermaid (with matching shoes of course!). I love the tiaras and sequins; the sparkles and feathers. I love the tulle and satin. The pinks, purples, yellows and blues. I love this season of tea parties and celebrations. Every day is 'berry-special' because my little girl is a part of it.

We're "Pasta Rich"!

We stopped for groceries when returning home from our weekend get-a-way. I had paused in the pasta aisle and wondered outloud if we needed any more pasta at home. My 8 year old son piped up, 'No, we're 'pasta-rich'! :D

Spending time with family; playing games; watching my children bond with extended family; watching my children have so much fun sledding; hugs and smiles and kisses with my husband; the warmth of a down duvet (just like home!); kisses and hugs with my kids; seeing the moon tonight; pizza out of the box to make my life easier for supper; strawberries; canned black beans on sale; reading two good books from a loved one who also sent me a care package (Thank you so much! I felt so spoiled and loved!); low fat hot chocolate; these are a few of my favorite things today!