So often throughout my day, my children bring me to laughter. Maybe they did something silly or goofy. It is possible they did something cute and they don’t even realize it. Today was one of those days full of such encounters. I decided to post a few here since my memory can’t be trusted to last until tomorrow.

November birthday season is upon us and I had no idea what Hannah would like. Today I decided that I really  needed to figure out a plan for her. Please note that Hannah has had a stuffy nose for the past few days. Not even a full cold; just a stuffy/runny nose. It is driving her crazy!!

The Runny Nose Princess

She would like me to make her a small pillow. I asked a few questions to make sure I understood her. She wants a small pillow “like Bekah’s purple one with flowers”.  Hmmm, interesting. Why exactly would she want a small pillow? Her response, “Well, once both sides of my big pillow is covered in snot, I can use the little pillow.” Gotcha. A back up pillow for when the snot content is high.

I decided to be brave and ask one more question. What color would you like your pillow to be? “Hmmm, I think I will have to look through your fabric.” Well, alrighty then.

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In an effort to fit us all around the dinner table, some of the large, heavy wooden chairs have been replaced with folding chairs. It allows for a bit of elbow room for everyone. Hannah sits in one of the folding chairs and has an issue with squatting in her chair instead of sitting. She needs a bit more height on her I think.

Tonight, she was squatting again and Eddie wanted to remind her to sit like a lady and eat her dinner. He asked her, “Hannah, do you need a booster seat?” I think he thought she would say no and sit down. However, she said, “Yes, yes I would like a booster seat.” Completely serious and without a moment’s hesitation.

Never mind we have two in booster seats, I just happened to have a third one in my closet. We bring the booster seat our for Hannah. Suddenly, Miss Sarah decided to join in the conversation.

Miss Contentment

“I don’t like my seat. I want one like Hannah’s”

I tell Sarah that she needs to learn to be content in all things.

Miss Almost 4 year old says, “I like my big bear. I like my bed. I like my bag. But I don’t really like my little bear.” All said with a sweet smile and thoughtful expression.

Well, it looks like she is trying to be content in all things. Needs a little work on desiring others seating.

Reasons for many giggles, smiles and laughter

They look sweet as candy….but let them get a little hungry….

and they can turn meaner than a rattlesnake.

Thankfully, their grub was done with time to spare. Every one can rest well tonight.

One evening, I just had to snap pictures of her corrective lenses’ cuteness!

Isn’t she cute and sassy in those red glasses? When I looked at the pictures, I couldn’t help but be reminded of another little girl with brown hair and glasses. Having any flashbacks, Chris?

Thankfully, mom knew just what to do. Let’s dig a few goodies out of the craft box that was in storage for over a year! Making a few crafts means we will stay still and quiet so our sick little self can rest!

And you know what happens next, right? Just as soon as we have made an overwhelming mess, Sam wakes up from his nap. And you know he wants to be crafty too, right?

I must admit that I enjoy craft time as well. Hannah and I had a nice, quiet afternoon making something for everyone that was at church. They were all excited about their surprises when they came home.

And like good little crafters, we cleaned up all of our mess! Every little teeny tiny piece of foam and every little fuzzy pom-pom was picked up and put away. No small feat.

**Please note – the glue Sam appears to be eating was an empty glue stick. Like a good little boy he threw it in the trash.

When big sister was commanded to go downstairs and make cookies, Hannah was a willing helper. Who could pass up an opportunity to be an official cookie tester?

While the second batch was cooking, Hannah ran upstairs, all out of breath, to inform me, “Mommy, I haven’t had time to do my reading! I am too busy making cookies.”

Oh, the struggles we face when five. I’m not sure how she manages to get it all done in a day!

The next day she was working on a reading program on the computer. The program gives prompts on what she needed to type or click on the screen. Hannah was getting into a good rhythm with the task. At one point, she typed the answers faster than the program could instruct her.

I saw her pump her fist and quietly say, “I’m a rock star.”

Ah, that is how she gets it all done in a day. She’s a rock  star. I suppose that makes me her manager?

And for those who want to know, the double patch of peanut butter cookies was consumed within a 24 hr period. I think they past the inspection test.

Psalm 30:4-6

Sing praise to the Lord, ye saints of His.

And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

For His anger is but for a moment,

His favor is for life,

Weeping may endure for a night,

But joy comes in the morning.

Some of my children have grown a bit tired of me photographing everything. Hannah Joy, the sweet child that she is, loves the camera.

She always has a smile, a goofy look or a striking pose when I point the camera in her direction.

The Lord provided the perfect name for her. Joy. She is a joy and a delight.

She finds pleasure in the simplest of things and has boundless energy. The day of our fall walk, she was begging for the attention of the camera. I will treasure these photos!

But even Miss Boundless Energy must rest now and then.

Praying you all have a bit of joy in your day.

Hannah turned 5 on the 22nd. Sarah hit the big 3 on the 27th.

It took a bit of work to convince her that she really was 3 and not 2. She finally decided that being 3 was ok.

The 5 year old sharing some birthday love with her brother. It was too sweet of a picture not to share!

Sharing a seat but not that piece of cake. Hannah had already eaten her cake. Sarah only eats the frosting. Giggle.

Just for fun…Hannah 2 years ago…age 3.

Sarah…age 1. Wow.

Happy Birthday to my two little rays of sunshine!!!

Cute, yes? I knew as soon as I saw it that Hannah would love it. Tonight, the big kiddos were all busy and it was just the little kiddos and me. Hannah rounded up a few books and asked if I could read. I almost said no. Tsk, tsk. My head hurt, my nose was stuffy and I was tired. Thankfully, the Lord reminded me how wonderful it is to cuddle up and share some smiles so I hit the floor the grabbed the books.

Emma’s Turtle was the first one Hannah wanted to read. It is the story of a charming little turtle who escapes his safe little home to experience the adventures and dangers of India and Australia. When safely back home he realizes that his worldly travels were just across the yard and back. (Hmm, there might be a lesson in there about how our troubles always seem so overwhelming when in the midst of them. Once we are safe we realize that our troubles were not as great as we thought. God knew I needed that today.)

Naturally, Hannah and Sarah enjoyed the story of the Turtle and the delightful pictures. They had great fun in shouting out what the “dangers’ really were. That wasn’t a tiger, just the cat he sees every day in the yard. I am sure that I will be handed the book again tomorrow.

So the big kiddos return and we begin our night routine of getting ready for bed. I look over and see Bekah (11) lying on the floor reading Emma’s Turtle to herself. Hannah is curled up beside her. Every now and then I hear Hannah talking quietly. Suddenly Bekah says, “Hannah, stop telling me what is going to happen.”

This, my friends, is priceless. Suspense drives Bekah crazy. She can’t help but look ahead when she reads to see what is going to happen to a certain character. It drives me CRAZY. I do not look ahead! During a read aloud, if I have read the book before, Bekah will beg me to tell her what is going to happen. No! No! No! Patience!

But tonight the table was turned. Someone was revealing the story and it was driving Bekah crazy. Love it!

My only regret is that I didn’t get a picture of the two of them enjoying this story together. What a sweet memory! And the regret grows…later, when I told the little ones to go to bed while I was dealing with a fussy, tired Sam, Bekah grabbed House at Pooh Corner and cuddled up in bed with the little ones to read to them and help them settle. I am so blessed.

I was assisting Hannah and she is a chatty kind of gal.

She informed me on the details of best buddies.

All the girls who are wearing skirts are best buddies.

If you are wearing a dress, you cannot be best buddies with a skirt-wearer. You must be best buddies with a dress-wearer.

I pointed out that she often wears a dress and I always wear skirts and couldn’t we still be best buddies?

Her loving, compassionate answer was no.

Do you feel the love, folks?

So if you are in need of a best buddy, you now know an easy way to find one.