conversations with a preschooler

On the way home from preschool today Luke and I had the following conversation:

L:  Did you ask my teacher how I was today?
M:  No, would you like me to ask you how you were in school today instead?
L:  Oh, yes!
M:  Okay.  Luke, how were you in school today?
L:  after a lengthy pause and a confused look..."Mom, that was kind of a dumb question.  I don't know how I was at school today, you have to ask my teacher."

for the love of jam

This is what Makenna and I have been up to...

It doesn't look like a lot of jam, but those containers look deceivingly small!  At least that's what I'll say to make myself feel better about how long it took to make all that jam.  It was one full afternoon of washing, stemming and mushing to make our beloved jam!  But in the end, it's always worth it.

the start of a love affair

Luke had his first t-ball practice tonight.  Well, parents meeting really, but it was at the Little League Fields, so he was all geared up for it!

So geared up in fact that he won't take off his uniform, so they became his jammies tonight.  And it's  complete with his cap on his head and his mitt next to him. Here's to t-ball and the many ball games ahead of us.

i will survive, hey! hey!

As we are approaching the half way mark through day one of Spring Break , I find this song running through my head.  Not so sure this is a good sign.

Surprisingly, it's feeling like a good day, Luke and Jared have had a great day, discovering a new (and fantastic) park and eating chocolate chip pancakes for lunch, yeah- I scored major awesome mom points for that one.

The not so hot moment of the day, though, was when Luke was helping me make said pancakes and left the room abruptly.  I followed him a minute later, you know just to make sure he wasn't off in the corner with a handful of chocolate chips.  No.  Not a handful.  And not in his mouth.

I did find Luke in the corner however, and he looked a bit bashful.  Upon further questioning, he reluctantly told me that he needed to sneeze, and his nose hurt. Turns out our pancake batter was one chocolate chip shy.

I thought my almost 5 year old sweet boy was way too old for the nose trick...turns out he wasn't.  It took about 30 minutes to dislodged it from his nose.  I don't know that I'll ever look at chocolate the same again.

my love bugs

I  love today, filled with simple acts of love. Sometimes I get annoyed at the commercialization of holidays, but with Valentines Day, I am glad for it.  What a great in your face message to stop and enjoy some love?!

Luke gave his first talk in Primary today, and did great!  I was so proud of him, thinking back to a year ago, and the amazing progress he has made!  Last year he was having a hard time adjusting to Primary and not chillin' in nursery, playing with toys and munchin on snacks (can you blame him?).  This year he has become such an amazing little guy, his confidence has grown and he is not a shy, timid little boy anymore.

Here are pictures of Luke sporting his new "I gave a TALK in Primary" sticker.

 In honor of Valentines day...

This is what Luke gave as Valentines to his school buddies this year.

I left the table for seriously 30 seconds, and this is what Jared did to the freshly made valentines

 

  

But how do you get mad at a face like this, though?  Those brown eyes have

his mama wrapped around his finger.

and so it begins

Luke desperately needed new tennis shoes.  I go pick out a pair I think he will like, blue...his favorite color.  Nike, a must.  They also happen to be velcro (not dumb velcro, but really cool looking velcro) that I think is important, because let's be honest...any short cut I can find, I'll take right now.

I come home pretty late for Luke, but hear him open his bedroom door any way.  He heard the garage door open and shut, and wants to come see me before climbing back into bed.  I show him his shoes, and anticipate him sleepily going back upstairs.  But he was more excited about this than I ever guessed he would be.

After trying on the shoes and bookin it around the house like 50 times (and I'm not even exaggerating) he finally pulls off a shoe and goes over each and every detail of it with his Dad.  It seems there is this athletic shoe obsession that will bond these two boys til the end of time!  Ben described all the details of the shoe and how it works (like this is a deep topic or something, what do you mean how it works?!)

I don't claim to understand, just love.

The object of obsession.   See, told you it's not dorky velcro.

not so mundane

I was feeling a bit sorry for myself today, with Makenna and Ben back to school and work after a long weekend home, and after being knee deep in laundry (literally) I was thinking how mundane my life has become.  The most perplexing object of my day is what to make for dinner.

Then this happened:  Luke woke up from his nap and gave me the best snuggles ever.  And while telling him how much I loved him, he assured me he loved me more,  because he has super powers.

Then it occurred to me...(and I know so many have reminded me of this, so please take credit for it) these days of "snuggles" and "lovies" and "kissie faces" will pass.  The ever annoying "momma's" said repeatedly until I'm ready to implode will inevitably fade into teenage years, which I'm sure will be great, but let's be honest...how can teenagers compete with the sweet, unconditional love that my young kids so willingly give me now.  In no time at all they will recognize ALL my imperfections, and see how flawed their mom really is.

So, between now and teenager-hood, I am going to enjoy each call for help to wipe bums, each snotted-up shoulder after I've just gotten dressed for the day, and each sweet warm snuggle.  But, that doesn't mean I have to enjoy the endless sink full of dishes, and the always present question, "what's for dinner?!", right?  Please tell me I'm right.