Mr. Observant—Where Mulch Comes From
Zane, Liam and Eric are sitting on the swing in the back yard.[Zane loves to take random observations and form them into absolute truths, whether or not they have any basis in fact.]
Zane: Liam, did you know if you mix dirt and water it makes mulch?
Liam makes the "where the heck does this kid get this stuff from" face.
Eric: Don't you mean dirt?
Zane: No. Mulch.
Eric: I think you mean MUD, buddy. Water and dirt make mud.
Zane: Wwweeellllll, technically... it makes mulch. [Zane likes to use the word technically to make his ideas sound "true-er."]
Liam rolls his head back: Here we go again.
Eric: Zane, trust me. If you mix dirt with water you get MUD not mulch.
Zane: No, Dad! It makes mulch. See... [he runs over to the new tree we planted last week and which Eric put mulch around a few days ago apparently unbeknownst to Zane.]
Zane: ....We've been watering this dirt for days now and see.... it's turned into MULCH!
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Mr. Literal
We're getting our family picture taken for the church directory. The photographer somehow squeezed and contorted all seven of us close enough together to fit in the frame. The kids are all doing a great job of staying still and smiling... except Owen.The photographer works with us for several minutes trying to get him to stay in position, keep looking at the camera and smiling all at the same time.
Me: That's it, Owen! Now stay just like that.... just freeze.... like a statue.
Owen, proudly raising his arm high in the air and completely moving every part of his body to turn and look at us: Like the Statue of Liberty?!
[exasperated sigh from the other kids]
Eric—in his calm, "no longer surprised that this is my life" voice— patiently states the obvious to our darling son instead of wringing his neck: No, Owen. Not like the Stature of Liberty.
...and the process started over again.
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Miss Copy Cat—Who Needs Kneeling?
Eric is doing "Best and Worst" and prayers with the girls before bed like we do every night. Kate and Evie share their favorite moment of the day and their worst. Eric is laying on the floor and the girls are laying in their bunk beds.Folding his hands across his chest, Eric closes his eyes to pray: Dear Heavenly Father... [He hears a commotion and opens his eyes to see Evie laying down on the floor next to him with her hands folded across her chest, eyes closed.]
Evie: What, Daddy? I pway wike you.
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Sweet Girl
Our nephew Paul stayed with us this week while his mommy went with his daddy on a business trip. We absolutely adored having him with us for so long. He and Evie were buddies. And I think she really took to the "big sister" role.Evie, no sooner than one hour after Tim and Mindy picked him up: I miss Paulie. I weawy miss him.
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Mr. Ornery
We spent Memorial Day weekend camping with my parents at Amishville (Yes, Amber. That is a real place.)Grandpa Rohrer wanted to put some more ice in the cooler and needed to move some cases of pop from on top of it first.
Being ornery Grandpa stacked it on Liam's lap since he was sitting nearby.
Grandpa, as he piles up Liam's lap with the heavy load: Thanks for helping me, Liam.
Liam, grinning, cases piled up to his chin: Do I have a choice?
Grandpa, teasing: I could really use some help over here, Liam. Could you get up and help me? Come on, Liam, what's the problem.
Me, goading: Yeah, Liam, why don't you get up and help him out? What's the problem?
Liam, with a big smile, points at Grandpa: He's the problem.
Grandma, laughing: Isn't that the truth!
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Miss Social
Me, after first day camping: Kate, what was your best today?Kate: Making a new friend at the playground.
Me, after the second day camping: Kate what was your best today?
Kate: Making two new friends at the lake and one at the playground. And... my second best was getting ice cream.
It never fails that her favorite part of any activity always involves seeing friends or meeting new people. I was so not like this as a kid!
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