"Write it down...or you'll forget."

When you are a young mom with little kids moms with older kids start telling you to write down the funny things they say and do or you will forget. Well, I thought yeah I will when I have time- of course I hadn't done it yet. Then I was reading this book and the author was reflecting on her kids growing up. She was remembering when her child used to say, "Hold you me." And I thought Grace used to say that! Then I thought when did she start saying it "correctly"? And I had no idea! So here it goes- here are some of our recent funny times & toddler lingo I want to remember someday.

Funny Moments:
-The other night I could hear Grace on the monitor. She was supposed to be going to bed and finally after about 20 minutes of chattering and a little banging around I decided I better go inform her it was time to settle down and go to sleep. As I walked down the hall to her room I noticed there was a lot of light coming from under the door. She has the light on...and it gets better. Her entire bed was covered with every piece of "Little People" toys we own. She has the entire village set up and was having a great time. I couldn't help it I burst out laughing. I knew I probably shouldn't but it just caught me by surprise. I was really wondering how she got the light on by herself (usually she has to have her stool from the bathroom). So I asked her and she simply said, "Mama I reached!"
-Grace decided after spending the day at Grammy's house she no longer needed to use her potty seat. I tried to convinve her it was easier with the potty seat but she insisted that no she could do it by herself. She fell completely in the toilet and got soaked. After a brief moment to make sure she wasn't going to cry I laughed & so did she.
-I have walked in her room several times to find her fast asleep with a book still open just like she is reading it.
-Today we went over to some of our friend's who are in the process of building a house. The mud was like a magnet drawing her so strongly she couldn't resist. Finally she made her way and stepped in it. Then she looked up and said, "Mama I mess," like she was seriously upset about it.

Grace's Version of the English Language:
-Waubee (tv or movie)
-Num Nums (food of any kind)
-EEE Eww (Thank you)
-SSSSS (Short for Snack)
-Mama, I miss you. (She says this like I love you)
-Mama, I need you. (She uses this as a term of endearment-or when she is in trouble)
-I'm done. (Any time she is tired of something, for example her carseat)
- What is your name? Gracie (not sure-we almost always call her Grace)
- What is Faith's name? Sissy

Baby girl, you crack me up! While I look forward to understanding more of your constant chatter (you have lots to say!) I will miss when you look at me most sincerely and say "EEE Eww, Mama" voluntarily when I've done something for you.

Our Big Zoo Trip

For our anniversary Jeremy and I decided we would take the girls to the zoo in St. Louis. Actually it was Jeremy's idea and I LOVED it. Now, it might sound like a bummer to take your kids somewhere for your anniversary but it was perfect. What we have really been needing is some family time and I can't think of a more fun day! Not to say that it was perfect (it rained & we got lost!) But, there are lots of memories and seeing the wonder on Grace's face was priceless.

Grace loves animals. She has ever since she was very little. Before she said hardly any words she knew what sound over twenty animals made. She loves animals. So when I told her we were going to see animals like elephants, and camels, and kangaroos she looked at me and said, "On the waubee (her word for tv or movies). When I said, "No, we are going to see them in real life!" She just said, "OH!"

Even in the freezing cold rain we had a lot of fun. It was the perfect example of a trip not going exactly as planned but still being wonderful. A tip for the zoo- get there early. We knew if you get there when it opens you can park in the close free parking. Plus, all the things that cost money are free the first hour it is open. Due to getting lost we did not get to take advantage of the free attractions as planned, but maybe next time. (But we still got free parking!) We will also probably do our next zoo trip in the fall. Lets just say-field trip extravaganza! It was a little busier than we were expecting for a weekday morning. We also packed our lunch so the entire cost of our trip was less than a tank of gas- totally worth it! Due to the rain we ate our "picnic" lunch in the van (as you can see- no Faith isn't riding on her dad's lap)

Grace's favorites were the kangaroos (we went to see them twice, at her request), the camels, and the elephants. I have added a few pictures. If you are interested in a more in depth look at our zoo trip I am in the process of creating a book on shutterfly which I will link from here when I get it finished.

I think its interesting how our zoo trip included a great lesson for our marriage. Sometimes we begin marriage with a picture of perfect bliss (just like when we imagine a trip). And of course as anyone who is actually married knows it is more like our zoo trip- a few unexpected challenges. And yet when it is all said and done I still loved our day together, just like I love my not so picture perfect (yet amazing!) marriage.

Thank you Lord for a wonderful day of memories, life lessons, and fun!

Happy Mother's Day!

Since we won't be seeing Grace's Nana on Mother's day I am posting her present here so she can at least see it (it wouldn't exactly go in the mail). We will be delivering it the next time we see her. This was our project for this year.

We took a pot and painted a flower on it. The big petals are Grace's finger prints, the little petals are Faith's finger prints. Grace loved helping paint so there are "polka dots" around the top. I took a picture of the girls with flowers. So in the middle of the pot is the picture and this message-

And we pray that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, GROWING in the knowledge of God.

Colossians 1:10
Thanks for helping us grow!
Love, Grace & Faith
Mother’s Day 2008

We dyed clothes pins green to hold the picture/message. The plants are little baby plant starts from a plant in our home. See picture above for this to all make more sense.

Happy Mother's Day!