Posts from — August 2007

Sometime this summer Erica taught herself to do somersaults. The first time, I think, it happened by accident. But now she really likes to do somersaults. Tonight she asked me to do somersaults, too.

Emily and Erica have been singing lots of little songs lately. Bits of songs they know and ones they make up. Sometimes they start singing and dancing at the same time, often using something like a flashlight or toy maracas as microphones.

I just want to remember these moments.

Lately Emily and Erica have been saying “a lot” a lot.
“I want a lot of books.”
“I want a lot of Chex.” (the cereal)
“I want a lot of credit cards.” (I save the fake ones that come in junk mail to play with).
“I want a lot of diapers.” (to put on baby doll)
“I want a lot. . .”

The hard part is convincing them that what they have is a lot when we don’t have any more of whatever it is that they want a lot of .

The best “a lot” ever came from Erica tonight at bedtime. “I want a lot of hugs.”

Emily and Erica did this thing tonight. One of those things where you almost want to laugh on the inside, but you definitely have to be “Mom” on the outside. I mean, this stuff should not be encouraged. It went like this. . .

Emily looks at Erica and says, “Do it.” Erica puffs out her tummy and says, “Do it.” Emily pushes Erica. Erica puffs out her tummy again and says, “Do it.” Emily pushes Erica again. Emily turns to look at me and says, “I get a time out.”

They both know that pushing will get you a time out. So Emily got a time out. At the time, I felt that I ought to follow through on this. But now? I’m still thinking about it. Maybe Erica should have had a time out too, because, clearly, they were in this together. Do they like time out, or something?

This is why I am asking God for wisdom every day. At least I try to remember to ask every day, because I sure do need it. More than I know. I just want my kids to turn out right. And sometimes I feel like I have no idea what I am doing.