Out of the Mouths of Babes

Jacob: "Wow, that was kind of disturbing." After a stern talking to, because I grabbed hidden soiled underwear while sorting the laundry - gross!

Zackary: "No, it's because I am a great person." After I said, "You are having a great day and seem to be in such a good mood. Is it because Mom and Dad are taking control?"

J: 10:00 p.m., pitch black, in the van on the way home from Bay Beach in Green Bay, WI (google it, it's that awesome!) So tired he can barely function (this is the point where he desperately tries to keep himself awake by talking non-stop about anything he can possibly think of),

"I think it's deer watching time because I just saw a sign that said deer are prancing for the next two miles."

E: Same trip, earlier in the evening, at Fazoli's kids eat free night (love that!)

"Oh Mommy, look at that cute little vacuum they have. It's looks cute to marry."

(Angie, she was not aware of Ashlyn's easel man marriage. Looks as though you and I are in for some interesting son-in-law experiences ;) )

A: Same trip, again, after Fazoli's and before prancing deer. Sam decided to surprise us with a little detour to Lambeaux Field. There was a game that night, so it would be all lit up. Let's face it, what its the most important thing to do with your children when you are a cheesehead? As we come up on it, nobody, including me, has any idea what is going on. Sam says, "What do you see?" Excitement, but no connections being made, there is silence from the three oldest. Almost immediately Addie gasps with delight.

"So pretty Daddy, can we buy it?!" Repeated more times than I could keep track of.

Z: Out of nowhere on the way home from somewhere :), Zack randomly blurts with a sort of longing that I have not heard from him before.

Groans "I want to go to middle earth to see Bilbo Baggins." more groaning. J: "Yeah and Gandolf." Z: "Yeah, Gandolf"

E: On the way home from church last Sunday I said, "Guys, Daddy is leaving tonight on a trip for an inspection." Without missing a beat Ellie asks,

"Is Daddy going away on a trip to repent?"

J: On the phone with Sam, while he was away for an inspection. Daddy, "Technically, I am on an island right now. My hotel is across the canal." Matter of fact, with a hint of Jake wit,

"If there is a canal you must be in Venice."

A: Addie loves freckles, not sure why, but she thinks they are the cutest and most precious things ever. She talks about not having any herself (although we did find a couple on her back, she can't see them so it hardly matters) and is often asking me, "When are Addies feckles coming?" Low and behold one night as I am washing up her hands after dinner she excitedly shows me the most adorable little freckle she has found on her wrist. We look, we chat, we are so excited about this new development. Things settle down and I start to clean her up. And then. Screaming, crying, fit of all fits! I talk her off the wall and get her to look at me. "Addie what is the matter?"

"No Mommy! Not clean up Addie's pretty freckle!" We chatted, she trusted, I wiped her hand clean. She didn't stop staring at the precious little speck of pigment for a very long time :)