Lately

Owen:

He's a good sibling. He makes our home a happy place full of imagination and good ideas for games, crafts and conversation.  The other day he was reading gus the bug to me. He read every word on his own and at one point I looked down at his long skinny feet and felt like my heart skipped a beat. They were way bigger than I wanted them to be and way smaller than I treat him sometimes. He handles the role of being oldest so well. I want him to be 2 and I treat him like he's 13. I made a goal then and there while listening to gus the bug. And that is to embrace 6. 

He recently chose to participate in reflections (an art contest) at school. The theme was "the world would be a better place if..." when I first told him what the theme was he said "the world's already a great place!" His optimism and  contentment are inspiring. After I asked if there was anything that might make our great world any better he said "if everyone obeyed their mom".

He drew a picture of a mommy owl telling a baby owl to go clean his room. The baby owl was waving goodbye, on his way to obey. I love his art so much! it's simple and clean and inventive and this particular piece to me, looked like it could have come right out of a children's book.  On the evening that all the art was displayed, Owen got to stay up past bed time. We went to the school, just me and him. We walked in and looked at lots of beautiful art, but we couldn't find his. Right when I started to get nervous about his art maybe being misplaced or forgotten, I turned around and saw it behind a glass case with a pretty yellow ribbon on it. He had WON! Out of all the kindergarten - 2nd graders, 2 students won in the visual art category and he was one of them! I was so proud. 

Lewis:

He is chatty and friendly and up for just about anything. He gives compliments freely and makes others feel good about themselves. He tells me i'm pretty often. After driving in silence for a little while on the way to school this morning, he said "happy holidays mom". 

He always makes good company with his constant chatter and gut laugh.  He feels true bliss every day with his scrunched nose and a vain popping out of his neck when something cracks him up.

He recently needed a consequence for his passionate, boisterous tantrums. Treavor gave him the assignment of cleaning out the car. Lewis worked hard. He was thorough with the garbage and detailed with the vacuuming. He was pretty much on cloud nine and at one point said "thankth for the conthiqunth dad!!" He did a surprisingly fantastic job all by himself and keeps asking to clean the car again. 

Kitty:

She is such a good little errand buddy. She loves the boys and does this really cute, cheesy, fake laugh whenever they laugh. She is learning to walk, but is very cautious. She only gives it a try if she's really in the mood and usually decides to sit down after about 4 steps. She is sweet and cozy. she sleeps great and sings every time she hears music. She gives great kisses and we love everything about her!! 

We were at wal mart recently, standing in a long line. She leaned way over in her seat in the cart so she could see passed me, and then sweetly said "hi". When I turned around to see who she was talking to, I saw a long haired, long bearded, dirty clothed, yellow toothed, black finger nailed man, who kindly said "hi" back to Kit. Then he chatted with me for a while. I was grateful for her non-judgmental, loving demeanor that helped break the ice with a stranger I portably wouldn't have spoken to on my own.