Paul says this all the time. He says I love you and then he says “I can’t believe you.” His amazement of the love he has for us amazes me.

And to think it is only day 3! UGH! First time to the grocery with not letting him have a donut while I shop. He and the sisters were not happy. Some things just break your heart.

Annie told Papa this today when we were shopping. She was trying on a ton of items. This particular dress was $26 and I had said nothing over $20. I told her it was too expensive and she would have to choose one of the other ones. She didn’t put up a fuss, just looked at herself in the mirror took it off and went out to tell my Father she couldn’t afford it.

I about died when she said it. It was so mature and she wasn’t upset, she knew it was not wise to spend more than we could afford.

Paul said this to Bill tonight to let him know he wanted to read to him. The boy certainly knows how to communicate what he needs.

Paul says this to me each time I try to lift him into his crib. He likes to climb up and get in by himself. My boy is so grown up!

Well, I guess she told me!

Obviously the translation got lost and I she felt I was saying little did she know that her response proved my point.

This morning after dropping the older girls off at school Mimi, Paul and I went to get donuts. We were standing in line waiting for our turn and Mimi and Paul befriended the man behind me. I didn’t turn around to talk to him but Paul and Mimi were talking. (I am not a morning person and honestly my kids talk to a lot of people while waiting in line so unless the person talks to me I just stand there.) The gentleman said the above sentence and I turned around to responded to him. I smiled and told him that they are friendly like that. He was a very sweet man and went on to chat with the kids.

I had to laugh when I got in the car later. The guy was a long haired hippie looking gentleman. My kids have a Grandfather who is a long haired hippie so this didn’t startle them.

I am so glad that my children are not judgmental about people’s appearances. There are certainly people out there to be leary of but you generally cannot tell that from the outside anyhow.

“That’s fine since you are all supposed to be showering!” ~ Bill

Oh the drama. How they can turn super simple things into the most dramatic never ceases to amaze me.

And the crowd goes wild. Seriously his sisters love this kid. His knock knock joke makes them bust up and they will go round and round in circles for hours on end. Paul loves that he is finally part of their joking culture and honestly his joke is on par with theirs. Often their knock knock jokes make little sense, but they love them and that is what counts.

Annie exclaimed this today after the picture at Paul’s court hearing. She also did a little fist pumping at how cool it was. It made everyone in the courtroom laugh. She is just so precious and life really is all all about the little things.

He said this after I tucked him in tonight as I was walking out his door. My heart melted.

Paul says so few words and he really never discusses me since I am always here. It was so sweet to hear him say my name and bid me farewell.

“Kewlopolis? Is that all you think of?” — Kimberly

Overheard in the pool as they were trying to decide what to do after the sustained spinning contest was over. “Kewlopolis” is some Saturday morning cartoon bloc; they watched “Horseland” this weekend and apparently Annie was quite enamored of it.

This is the latest in a long series of career planning discussions we’ve had with Kimberly. After I answered in the negative, Kimberly responded incredulously with “So they just make up their own songs?” This was, to my knowledge, the first career choice she had inquired about that did not require post-secondary education. I can’t quite discern whether she is for or against college.

(Side note: she does not know what a rock star is beyond someone who sings and gets to dress up in “sassy” clothing. As near as we can figure, her model for this belief is Hannah Montana—which she has never seen outside of a retail store.)

“I won’t miss you Mom.” ~ Madeline

“Well I am going to miss you while you are at preschool.” ~ Mommy

“I won’t! I won’t be gone that long Mom.” ~ Madeline practically rolling her eyes at me

What she doesn’t understand is that it isn’t the amount of time just the fact that she won’t be with me that makes me miss her. I am very glad to hear her so confident that she will not miss me. She is maturing and growing and I am proud of her.

On a side note I have heart palpitations daily when I think of her being out of my care. This is feeling harder than letting Annie and Kimberly go. I have to think that this has something to do with her previous seizures and her special needs. I know she will be fine and that everything that will be gained from this independence will be worth it, but I worry.

No response from all members of the van since we have heard this joke before and the Barenaked Ladies song.

“. . . because 9 ate(8) 7.” ~ Kimberly

I have explained to them millions of times that the joke only works if you say it correctly. I have told them countless times that number 7 is the mean one, but still they rarely get the punch line correct.

The good news for the 4 of them is that no matter the punch line they laugh at the joke. Even Paul joins in and giggles with them.

Guess we know where I rank.

Annie scolded Paul, who was sitting in the car seat next to her, for being too loud. We have no idea why these two situations were related and she was quite cute saying this while reclining and reading Pinkalicious.

“Yes, but maybe once a year. Cherries are expensive and we couldn’t afford them often.” ~ Mommy

“How sad.” ~ Kimberly

I of course went on to tell her that it wasn’t sad. That you can only have what you can afford and that she is very lucky she can have all the food she needs. I told her that it made it more special when I did have them. She seemed to understand though I doubt she really does.

When I was a girl I never missed it or felt sad that I didn’t have it. Now as an adult I still don’t. It is sad to me that she feels like she needs to have this much. I am not sure how to remedy that situation or if I even need to. I am sure that the harsh reality will someday touch her.