Priceless

Pack of markers: $3.50
Ream of paper: $2.75
Caden and Gwen tired of using paper: Priceless

Christmas morning at Grandma and Grandpa's

Car trip

Yesterday, we drove to Ohio for the Christmas holiday. The trip went somewhat smoothly, considering the 7 hour journey. However, it rained the entire way. On one stop, the kids and I ran through the puddles to go the bathroom in gas station. While we waited for the large stall, Caden and Alyssa took turns yelling down into the platic 'wet floor' caution cone, and picking up pieces of toilet paper off the floor and throwing them away. Then, once in the stall, they stomped in the mysterious puddle on the floor, and played in the wastebasket. Then on the way out, Alyssa wiped her wet hands all over the bowl of the sink and Caden dried his hands on a used papertowel that was sticking out of the garbage can. At least this time, Alyssa did not put her mouth on the toilet seat like a previous trip to Walmart. I could not come up with warnings fast enough for everything they thought to do. Like, should I have said, please don't put your lips on the toilet seat? Honestly. I haven't noticed any symtoms of mysterious diseases yet, however...

When we were perhaps 45 minutes from my parents house, I looked back at Caden and realized he was throwing up! I screamed, "Shann, he's throwing up!" So Shann whipped the car to the side of the road, jumped out to get baggies, and I jumped into the back seat to catch anything forthcoming. Caden seemed to just be sitting there in a surprised daze. Turns out, he decided to stick his fingers down his throat, you know, just to see what would happen! No, not sick. Just bored. Vomit all over his car seat buckles, straps, and clothes. After we cleaned him up with wipies, he was not allowed to talk. Shann was, shall we say, fuming. So remainder of the trip, was spent trying to keep our own stomachs at peace what with the stench. Its a good thing he wasn't bored at the beginning of the trip.

Oh the joys of traveling with kids.
Merry Christmas.

Choose Carefully

So last Sunday morning, I was getting ready for church, feeling pretty and stylish.
Caden often tells me that I look pretty, so when he came up to me and smiled, I imagined a compliment coming. Instead, he said "momma, do you have a baby in your belly?" Ok, no longer feeling stylish and pretty! Now I feel frumpy and fat! Amazing the power of words - even from a 3 year old! And no, I do not...have a baby in my belly.

Fatherhood - what's hard about that?

Caden has decided that he is ready to be a father. The other day he said he was ready, and then said "actually, mabye when I'm five". So I thought that showed a little maturity that he allowed as how maybe he isn't quite there yet. :)
He and Alyssa are frequently playing mommy and daddy to some little baby doll of ours. Lately, however, poor Alyssa has been made the Grandma. Not sure how this happened so quickly in her young life. So sad, isn't it? If only we'd seen it coming, and had gotten her into counseling or something. I think its because we'll be spending time with Grandparents over Christmas, and he can't wait for that - so he's decided Alyssa has to play Grandma so he can start the fun early.

Snowsuits!

Snow ball fight in 1/8 inch of snow. So fun!

tonight

"mom, there are sounds in my room that I'm not making"

Brain cells

A few days ago in the car, Shann and I were talking. Caden interrupted, and we asked him to wait until we were done. When we finished, we asked him what he wanted to say. He thought for a minute, and said he couldn't find the word. He said, "its gone from my throat. Its out of my brain!" I'm glad this happens to kids too! Too often I 'can't find the word!'
Also recently, we drove past Shann's childhood home, and he was reminiscing about waiting at the bus stop, etc. Caden told Shann that he has a "smart remembery". :)

Football

Alyssa observed Shann watching football today and said, "Mommy, guys runnin, runnin; fall down. Ball!" This pretty much sums up my understanding of the game as well.

Morning Girl?

Yesterday morning I heard Alyssa talking to herself in her crib. So I went in to get her, and she said "I still seeping! Go 'way!" She is often reluctant to get out of her crib - I think she may not be a morning person. Although it is really cozy in there!

A few days ago, I realized that when Caden was Alyssa's current age, he was sleeping in a 'big boy bed'. So I thought perhaps I'd put the side down on her crib, and start talking about what a big girl she is(with the side all the way down, there is still a rail at least 15 inches up from the mattress). So we tried this at nap time. She seemed excited. Then a few minutes after I'd put them both down for naps, I heard running in the upstairs hallway, and then chatting in Caden's room. Huh. I ran up, and Alyssa Jane had decided to go visiting. No more big girl crib. Back to sides all the way up. Maybe we'll try again in a couple months.

Revelation

Tonight at church I told the 3, 4, and 5 year olds the story of Elijah when he was waiting for God to speak to him. First, there were great winds. Then there was an earthquake. Then there was fire. God did not speak to him in any of these. But then there was a gentle wisper. And in that, Elijah heard God. I told them how God can speak any way he wants to, but we must be still and listen for his voice.
So on the way home, Caden was ready to hear. We talked a little more about it, and then he said "Every one be quiet, I want to hear God speak!". We all got quiet, and he said "Ok God..." It was quiet for a minute, and then Caden announced "He said to be grateful and be kind to Alyssa!"
He was so excited and so ready to hear from God again. Pray with me that he doesn't lose this childish faith, and he helps me to grow in mine!

First Snow

We had just a dusting Sunday morning. Caden came over to our room, looked out, and said "Did they put the pepper down on the roads yet?"