Happy Easter

We have had a lovely Easter so far. Lots of sun and warm enough weather to wear Easter clothes for a change. We were with family for lunch and then came home and hid eggs and treats for the kids to find. They loved it and were so tickled with the little treasures. On the way home from lunch I reminded them that we were going to have an egg hunt and W commented "This is the best Easter EBER!" We really did teach them what Easter is truly about, I promise. But who can have the opportunity to search for treats and not be excited about it.

*Credit for the family pictures goes to Virgil's brother Jason.

I Believe I Can Fly

Mary asked me the other day "Why doesn't God always give you what you ask for when you pray?" Wow that is a loaded question. So I pulled out all my wise mommy answers and was even a little smug about how easy I thought I made it for her. I don't know why I thought it would make sense to her when I don't even understand it myself. She was really listening and I was about to pat myself on the back when she said in a sort of disgusted tone, "But Mom, you don't even know what I prayed for."

Siesta Key Beach, FL

"I was standing on the couch getting ready to jump off, and I prayed that if I would put my arms out and flap that He would give me butterfly wings and I could fly. I really wanted them and I wish I could fly." All of my wise answers no longer applied and I had to give a simple "I don't know".

DEAR HUSBAND...

Remember tonight when I told you I wanted to quick take my shower before you left for men's meeting? And remember how you thought that was silly? Your simple solution? Train Harrison to stay out of the bathroom, or just shut and latch the door so he can't get in. Well that sounds good and it probably would work for you. It seems like things go a lot smoother for you than for me. But for me, not so easy. First of all, in order to train, it seems to me that it would take a little more than a yell through the shower curtain to get the results that you want. And how convenient is it to hop out of the shower 3 or 4 times to chase after a toddler? Secondly, you're right he can't open the latched door, but let's not forget he has two older siblings who can.

Well, I was halfway through my shower and you were probably not even at the end of the drive yet, when sure enough the bathroom door opened. Mary had to go potty. And of course the whole clan tramped in after her. I sighed and waved goodbye to a peaceful shower.

"Mom, I think I made poopers. Can you wipe me?"

Really, I guess I could just lean out and do it quick without actually getting out of the shower. But have you ever tried to handle toilet paper with wet hands? Not so cool. So -- "I can't do it right now. Just do the best you can and go out of the bathroom." (I just know the longer they are in here the higher the chances for disaster.)

I look out and she is sitting on the potty with her little sponge dinosaurs and a key chain on the little chair in front of her. Definitely in no hurry to get out of here. Maybe toys in the bathroom is the child equivalent of us reading magazines etc. on the toilet. I reminded her of the "no toys in the bathroom" rule and told her to hurry and get off. This is what I heard next...

*toilet flushing*

"Mom, Harrison flushed the toilet and I didn't even wipe yet."

*sound of metal on porcelain*

"Mom, Harrison put the key chain in the potty." (thank goodness he flushed it before)

I look out but am in no position to back up my many and desperate commands. "Harrison, go out of the bathroom. Mary finish and wash your hands. Washington go out of the bathroom. Harrison, go out with Washington." My first leg is all lathered up and waiting to be shaved. And by the way "Washington, please close the door, you're letting cold air in." Goose bumps and shaving do not go together.

*pull my head back into the shower*

"Mom, Now Harrison threw my dinosaur in the potty."

*stick head back out of the shower*

"OK, Don't flush the potty. And wash your hands. And Go. out. of. the. bathroom." (Harrison immediately makes a dash for the flusher handle)

So ... If you don't know what to give me for Valentines maybe a peaceful shower or 2 or 3. Just Saying.

Love you too,
Your brave, monster-raising, somewhat clean, half-shaved wife.

And Then He Did This... and This... and This

Last night I walked into my "freshly swept and mopped about an hour ago" kitchen and found this.

He's been waiting a long time to get his chance at cracking eggs. He is so fascinated with them every time Virgil brings them in from the barn. He wants to carry them into the kitchen and put them in the box all by himself. Well last night Wash brought them in and got a carton out of the fridge to put them in. Unfortunately the box was full so he brought the fresh eggs back to the other end of the house leaving Harrison to a delightful, ooey, gooey project. I can only imagine his glee.

After I cleaned them up Virgil took them out for me and accidentally did this. It just seemed fitting. From barn, to kitchen, to sidewalk: a full tour of the ranch.

Then I found him today working on a beauty make-over. Mary's play lipstick on his hands, hair, clothes, the sink and every where else. Trust me, if you've never tried to wipe off that little girl, dollar store lip gloss, it's pretty tough. I've heard they are comparable to "Lancome Ultimate Lasting Full Color Lipshine". I don't even want to know what it's made of.

This is what was left of it.

And the applicator brush down the sink. Momma's not too sad and Mary doesn't know it yet.

And a few weeks ago when I was working on this supper for the school sale, I slipped into the shower hoping for a little peace and quiet when Mary dutifully informed me...

"...Harrison is on the counter sticking his fingers in your pies and shlecking (licking) them.

Now just in case I have permanently scared off any potential babysitters, he can be sweet as a rose too. In fact even in the midst of his mischief he always has a smile on his face. It's hard to scold him, a lot easier to run for the camera.

Never Ignore the Sound of Running Water

I was in the kitchen trying to get some sewing done when I heard the kids playing in the bathroom. I especially noticed the sound of the bathroom sink running. No big deal I thought. A little water on the floor is a small price to pay for 15 more minutes of sewing without interruption. After a while M and W came out and I thought I should probably go check on H. One of him can do a lot more damage than all 3 of them together. I went in the bathroom and this is what I found. How cute, he's brushing his teeth with Momma's toothbrush.



Then I looked a little farther. Not so cute anymore. Really it's actually very gross. He is soaked to the elbows, the toothbrush is dripping and the water in the toilet is a very dark shade of yellow. (this picture was after I flushed it)

My nicely wrinkled and soaked toilet paper.

This is the surprise I found when I flushed the potty. (This one is Daddy's) Needless to say he won't be brushing his teeth tonight.

I guess we'll have to make a trip to the toothbrush store and restock the whole family.