The Children Really Are Listening...

So, I have learned today that you have to be careful what you say around kids, even - or especially! - when you don't think they're listening. Today in nursery, we had had snack and the official singing time and we were seeing how long we could keep the kids entertained before letting them go back and drag out all the toys again. Two of the children entertained themselves by jumping all over James, while the other sister and I entertained the other two by singing a few more songs.

We had just sung "If You Chance to Meet a Frown" and then there was a lull - so I just started singing a random song to the same tune - I really didn't think that Maija or Bryce (the kids that were jumping all over James) were listening at all. So I started singing "James is not a jungle gym, but he's pretty fun, so let's crawl all over him..." then I couldn't really think of anything to end with and lamely finished with "and kick him in the head." I chuckled at my own lack of creativity, then turned just in time to see sweet little Maija following the song's suggestion. Boy did she give it to him - one swift kick to the side of James's head with her sweet little white sandals. And she turned to me with the biggest grin on her face like "See! I did it!" Oh boy, I felt bad for that one.

So, watch what you say - and what you sing - around the little ones. They really are listening.

(James later suggested that perhaps a better - and rhyming - ending would have been "and kick him in the bum." That at least would have had a less painful outcome for dear James.)

Brielle

Today my cousin Hailey blessed her beautiful daughter Brielle Charity Steadman (who has a truly awesome middle name). I love baby blessings - they are so filled with love. The love the parents have for their new little miracle and the love our Heavenly Father has in giving a special blessing to a special little spirit. It definitely has me thinking ahead to when we bless our little son in a few months - and how he will bless us by coming to our home. :)

Mah Jongg Madness

Remember how I said this is not a photography project? Well this proves it. I have no skills. But I do have a pink Mah Jongg set! My mom is the greatest mom in the world, and while I was in Greece she rekindled my love for Mah Jongg, which she gave me in the first place. Well, after many hours of playing - and even winning a few rounds - I lamented the fact that I didn't have a set of my own. Well, today, while I was cleaning and organizing our gigantic mess of a bedroom, a knock came at the door and I was completely surprised by the giant box that was awaiting me. And inside it - this lovely, oh-so-pink, Mah Jongg set that I cannot wait to play. Just waiting for the rule/hand books to come in the mail and it's on!

A Pic a Day in May: May 1st

I've wanted to do this for a while. It's not a photography project, it's more of an appreciation of life project. I'm going to take a photograph every day, of mostly everyday things, but also some big events, and share them on this blog. Hopefully it will help me appreciate the small things in life and remember the daily goings-on that I would normally forget. So here it is, "A Pic a Day in May" photo number one:



Here's my amazing husband studying while tending the grill. I was in the kitchen, feverishly chopping away at potatoes and seasoning the beans, when I decided to go check on James. Seeing him study while making sure the chicken didn't burn - it just made me realize what a great partner in crime I ended up with. Instead of telling me he had to study and leaving me to my own cooking devices, he found a way to do both. Love that guy.