Things I Love Right Now

1. Ben's new phrases: "Tank oo Mommy," "Can I?" and

many many others. Also, that he calls ours chins "beards." This comes from a certain silly song we've been singing for a few years off of a Laurie Berkner Band CD. Yesterday we was kissing me and telling me where he'd kissed me. Smack "ear". Smack "two ears." Smack "nooose." Smack "eyes." Smack "beards."

2. Our new decorations: This hanging as you walk in the front door.

And this table at the end of the hall as you walk in from the garage.

I wasn't even convinced we needed a table there, but Kevin was and tasked me with finding it. We looked and I couldn't find the right thing for the amount of money I wanted to spend (read: cheap!) until I saw this. We hit a snag when we learned they didn't have any in boxes and the floor model was all scratched and gouged up on the wood. I couldn't see buying something already damaged even if it will get scratched & dinged in this house. So we drove across town (after a phone call or two) and got it and everytime I walk in through the garage I get a little giddy. Who knew a table could cause such a feeling. PS those bowls have been collected over the years when we've gone on cruises. The smallest was from our first cruise and purchased in Belize. The other two are from Guatemala. This is the first time we've been able to prominently display them in our home.

3. That Eric sneaks off to read books. And then tells me what he has learned in those books. Like did you know that lungfish can breathe on land or in water? I had no idea until my biggest boy told me. And if you need to know something about space, he's your guy. I can't tell you how many days he's gone missing and I find him reading a book. I hope his thirst for knowledge and his love of reading continues. It will take him so far.

4 Mark's poetry he brought home from school. I love them all but will share just one in the interest of brevity (ha!) Spelling errors left in tact because they are part of him at this age.

Broclee by Mark Bailey

Broclee, broclee
on my
plate. You
macke
me so sick. I do
not wot to lick.
I throe you
on the flor.
Ben eats you.
I spit you in the sink.

I actually thought he liked broccoli but I this was so creative and fun.

5. Zack is getting so much bigger and has his own thoughts and ideas and plays with words. He can buckle his own seatbelt now and asks me every day when he gets to go to his school. I get a little choked up thinking about it even though I know it will be good for both of us.

Life is full of amazingness and when I get caught up in the details and the chaos I try to remember how lucky I am.