Overheard

While playing Legos...

"Yeah, in 3rd grade - it gets REAL."

I am not sure what gets real. Or how we stop it. But I agree.
This year is fo' real.

Eyes to See

The Anna of the Bible is one of the first people to recognize God. A tiny baby is carried into the Temple. Two poor young confused parents (who will later lose Him as a sign to us all that we shouldn't feel so bad) are trying to follow the rules as they know them - despite a rather hectic week. An old woman, Anna, looks at these poor dirty donkey riders and sees - God - in their arms. 
She recognizes Him instantly and speaks of Him to whomever will listen. (Luke 2:36-38) 

My Anna has the same gift. She sees the truth. Right away. And then she speaks it to whomever is around. Goodness, sadness, heartache or folly are quickly understood by her five year old eyes. 

When a friend passed away unexpectedly, I spoke to the girls of our sadness for her family, for her little boy and girl. But Anna spoke to the heart of my fear - 
"And Mama, now you are afraid you're going to die and leave us?" 

Well, yes. 

Today was simpler, and less heart-wrenching. Katie asked if I had ever held a snake. I said I had and Anna was surprised. She asked, 
"Was Sue Sue alive for this? Did she freak out that PopPop let you do that?" 

Anna was only three when Mom died, but she has a shockingly accurate take on the family dynamic of my childhood. 

Later this afternoon, Anna expressed herself beautifully to her older sister - who was repeatedly hitting her in the face with a balloon. (Thus proving she too has an accurate sense of the family dynamic of my childhood.)

"Katie, you have been mocking me con-tin-ly with that balloon since we got in the car and it makes me feel bad."

I told Anna I was proud of her for the way she expressed herself, clearly and calmly. She didn't lose her temper in a frustrating situation. Then she laid this one on me:

"I did lose my temper. But I didn't use my temper voice."

Oh. 

Is THAT what you are supposed to do? 

Thank you, God. And Anna. 

Now, I see. 

Friendship

Katie is making a friendship bracelet! Amazing. It feels like 1985, at Ardmore Court and I am sitting on the brown couch surrounded by embroidery floss with Mom's special brass "extra sharp" scissors. What a treat. I love this crafty girl. Next up, gimp keychains!

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

Tonight, Anna was chopping herbs for the southwestern coleslaw.

"Good job on the cilantro, babe."

"Cilantro? Oh, I thought it was rosemary."

I love that. She can't tell her herbs apart. It was yesterday, I swear, when she was confusing her hands with her feet while she was gnawing on them. Who taught her rosemary? Unbelievable how much she is growing up.

Now, this story also seems more sophisticated than it is. Anna is a great help in the kitchen. Fascinated by the process and always willing to help. She shredded carrots tonight, stirred the coleslaw, chopped the rosemary/cilantro/green stuff. And for dinner?

She ate a fish stick and two white flour tortillas.

With ketchup.

I have to believe that someday the kitchen know-how will translate into a more adventurous palate.

For dessert we decorated sugar cookies - those got eaten!

Sticky Fingers

The girls LOVE art projects. Of all kinds.
They are working very hard this morning on creating a gala for their My Little Ponies. Streamers, confetti, and piñatas have been constructed.

Costume design is critical and capes will cover each pony.

 

I've been put in charge of watching glue dry.

"Call us the MINUTE it is dry!"

It is the perfect job for me.

Watching Glue Dry

Curly Q

Santa brought sponge rollers for Christmas!

a long winter's nap

Nothing is cozier to Anna than GrandDaddy's chair...

She snuck in and stole this spot when he got up and he never got his chair back!
We've had a restful winter holiday. Hope you have too!

Take a walk

Looking for more adventure in 2013!