We've been doing a lot of cleaning, getting ready for Christmas company. Collin dusted the whole house. With my make-up brushes. I'm not complaining!

My children were chosen to be narrators for our church Christmas program. Imagine how proud I was, when Lauren stood in front of a packed church, and announced in her sweet little voice, "The angel Gabriel came to tell a Virginian that she would conceive a child"

And from the Collin files:

"Mom! Why did you bring me a cheeseburger! I wanted chicken nuggets!"

"Well, then, you can have nothing."

"Mom! I ALREADY HAVE nothing!"

Last week I took the kids to a local amusement park for the day. You remember, the one I swore I'd never go back to last summer. As we were walking around, Declan (5) found a penny. My kids don't have a real concept of money. To them, finding a penny is something very valuable. (This works out nicely for allowances). We immediately had to find a body of water so the he could "Wish my coin". Shortly after this, Collin (5) found a penny. He gave it to me, to pay for lunch. Both boys willing to give away the treasure they had found. One for magic, and one to help.

Folk Songs

My 12 year old son was telling me about some songs he had learned for chorus this year. Yellow Submarine, Thriller, and "that really famous British folk song". What really famous folk song? I ask. "You know mom, that one about having to go to the bathroom". No, I really don't know. So he sings a little for me. I think you may be familiar with this tune. "Skip, skip, skip to the loo, My Darling."

So yesterday my 5 year old tells me "Go sit on the steps mom. Close your eyes, and hold out your hands, and I have a surprise for you!"

Trusting soul that I am, I go and sit on the steps, close my eyes and put my hands out. And wait. And wait some more. Then I start calling his name. No response. I finally get up and start looking for him, assuming he simply forgot to come back. Oh no, not Machiavelli Jr.

I say, "Declan, I've been waiting in the other room for my surprise. Did you forget?" Guilty look on his face; "No mom, I had to tell you that cause I knew you'd say no to the juice box".

He not only came up with a plan to get me out of the room, but with my eyes closed, waiting for him. There's one born every minute, apparently.

The Golden Rule

Sometimes I have to hide things. Lighters. Ginsu knives. Girl Scout cookies. But, every now and then, I will leave something lying around that I had intended to hide, but didn't get around to it yet. Yesterday Declan came to me with a box of Girl Scout cookies and asked if he could have one. "Oh no." I said. "Those are old and yucky. You can't eat those." I thought that was the end of it, until I heard banging noises coming from the garage. Declan was alternately jumping up and down on the box and hammering it. He is a big fan of the hammer, incidentally. Many items in our home have suffered his wrath. By this time Thor had demolished the cookies. This is what I get for not sharing!!

So thoughtful

Today Declan took the cork out of Connor's "ship in a bottle" and filled it full of water. "Because ships have to have water to float on, mommy". Connor will be so happy when he sees this thoughtful improvement his brother has made.

Devin and Lauren have been in Girl Scouts since the Daisy Scout phase, back in kindergarten. They've been with the same troop this whole time. As part of being a Girl Scout they are supposed to learn the Girl Scout pledge. Promise? Motto? Law? I can't remember what it is called. Anyway, the girls have struggled with this over the years, and not many of the girls in the troop have learned the pledge (motto/promise/law) yet. So last Thursday, the troop leader decided to have the girls make puppets. The girls would practice by making the puppets say the pledge. All of the girls made miniature Girl Scout puppets, many of them wearing ball gowns and elaborate jewelry. Devin's puppet is below.

Recognize that handsome fellow? That's Elvis. He ain't nothing but a brownie scout.....

Necessity is the mother of invention...

Dear Daughter:

Everyone loves the spirit of an inventor! This great country was founded by people unafraid to think outside of the box and boldly challenge the limits of science and nature. And, while I appreciate your creativity, quick thinking, and can-do-attitude, I have to insist that you stop using your hair as a cover while you pick your nose in public. Although you may not be able to see anyone through your hair-shield, I assure you, we can all see you. This includes the checker at the grocery store, the dentist, and the priest.

Love,

your mother