If you have something to say...

Clara is a talker. I remember when I took her for her 2 year check up. Dr. D asked how many words she was able to say and I just looked at him. Seriously, you want me to count? I had no idea so I just told him...about 50? I know I shortchanged her.

Lately it seems like the words are multiplying faster than hamsters. She is talking in sentences - big sentences. Granted, there are quite a few consonants that are interchangeable, we speak her language and know what she is saying. She is also giving her opinion, which I find entertaining. The other day I had just gotten my haircut. I picked her up from Grandma and we were driving to the store. From the backseat I hear this little voice say, "I like your haircut. Did you get a sucker?" First of all, I was thrilled with the compliment from one of my favorite people. Second, I was tickled that she thought I would be crying during my haircut and need a sucker to calm down.

This afternoon she came to me clutching her hand-me-down Cinderella dress and garage sale fairy wings. She said, "Will you put my wings on so I can fly." It sounded like, "'ill you put my ings on toe I can pie" I stripped her down to her diaper and helped her dress herself in her "priddy kirt." I strapped her wings on her and watcher her take off with her hands high above her head while making the best swishing sound she was capable of.

Earth Day, 2010

Yesterday was Earth Day. I didn't realize that it was a real holiday, I always thought it was just some kind of Valentines Day for Environmentalists. Don't get me wrong...I am all about saving our planet and not wasting. I was just surprised when someone said "Happy Earth Day" to me. I think my first memory of Earth Day was when I was in college. I remember walking from one building to the next and passing the courtyard. There were tons of booths set up and about 1,000 elementary school kids running around campus, visiting the random activities sororities and fraternities had created for them.

As much as I wanted to go visit my old university and see if the tradition was still going strong after 15 years (ouch), we played in an unexpected spring rainstorm that blasted through the desert.

We have been blessed with quite a bit of rain these past few months. It has been fun for the kids to stomp in puddles and actually have to change their clothes in the middle of the afternoon because they got too wet as opposed to too dusty.

Umbrellas have suddenly become priceless toys that create a magic shield around the person lucky enough to possess it. The problem is, we only have 1 umbrella and 2 kids. This is not a good ratio.

Luckily, I have 2 kids with 2 very different personalities. Thomas can entertain himself for a long time with one thing. Clara, on the other hand, has been blessed with my ability to become distracted by something else and move on.

So, Happy Belated Earth Day!!! I hope you were able to get out and play in the rain, sun or snow and enjoy this beautiful earth that was given to us by a loving Heavenly Father.

My kids love Grandma's house.

She let's them do whatever they want.

Get it straight, Mom!

I was sitting on the floor in my sewing room this afternoon. I had the TV on. I had been watching a bunch of army men doing yoga - I don't know why. When that ended an infomercial for the Brazilian Butt Lift came on. I was watching it and Thomas was standing by my side watching me watch it. I braced myself and then asked him...

Me: Do I need to order that?

Thomas: No (he said it with a smile on his face. I am not sure if his smile meant..."Oh, please why would you even ask such a ridiculous question." or "Oh crud! How am I going to get through this without hurting her feelings?")

Me: Really, are you sure?

Thomas: No, you don't need it.

Me: Don't you think it would help my bum?

Thomas: Mom - you're not a model - your a mom.

Do you think I should take that as a compliment or an insult?

...They long to be, Close to you...

Proof that it is completely impossible for a mother to take a nap while her children are awake.

***

In my defense: I was only trying to take a nap because I was doped up on allergy meds. I guess this way I know she isn't getting into any trouble. And to answer your question, I have no idea why she is playing with a wrench or where she found it.

p.s. I am so proud of Thomas. He was able to take this picture without any help - it always pays to have a point-and-shoot within reach of a 5 year old.

Flashback

This afternoon the kids had commandeered the big screen and were watching Wonder Pets. Even though I was dying to find out what distressed animal they were able to rescue, I peeled myself away and snuck into the office to watch an episode of a TV show I had missed. (I would insert the name of said show here, but I don't want to embarrass myself.) After about 15 minutes Thomas made his way into the room. He climbed up on my lap and started to watch the show with me.

I was thoroughly enjoying my snuggle with my first born when he looked up at me - I had a flashback to his birth. All of a sudden I felt the warmth of a new little baby on my chest and saw his HUGE brown eyes look into mine for the first time. I had to catch my breath. I was looking into the same big eyes, but the body had changed. Instead of fitting nice and cozy on a small section of my torso he was now stretched out across a large portion of my body. How did that happen? How has 5 years passed so quickly? How is it possible that this little baby is going to kindergarten in the fall?

Instead of hyperventilating I grabbed my camera that was within reach and started to click away. These were blind clicks. Ones that I hoped would come out even though I couldn't see through my eye piece. I was hoping to capture the feeling I was having - nothing but love

and happiness.

Observations

10 and a half years ago I opened this fortune on one of our first dates.

I think it is safe to say that particular fortune has come true...and will continue to be true.

Clara opened her fortune cookie today.

I think she already does.