Some favorite things

May3

So many cute things happen around here on a daily basis, it’s hard (uh, impossible) to keep track of them all! The two most world-changing events of late are the budding of Asher’s first two teeth and Asher’s newest trick – rolling over! He’s such a sweet, happy little thing, but the teeth have gotten him down a bit. Still, he’s not slow to giggle when a friendly face is near! “You’re not sugar, Asher! You’re too sweet!” says Tali.

Some other favorite things of late include:

Two kids asking for more broccoli or peas!

Putting away winter coats (we’ll keep out a couple cool-weather hats) and breaking out the sunscreen and sun hats.

Simon bravely sitting still while Papa coaxes a couple of splinters out of his hand. Such a big boy!

Tali setting and reaching reading goals for herself – what an amazing girl!

Asher smiling and giggling at anyone who smiles at him – has there ever been such a sweet baby?

 

A quest for dullness

Apr13

Never a dull moment – an apt description for this home, I think! These little ones sure keep me hopping! Reading books, bandaging ouches (Simon truly believes in the power of Mommy’s kisses!), washing laundry, playing games, sorting laundry, policing play times, folding laundry, serving snacks, putting away laundry, listening to stories (Tali’s quite the story-maker)… lots of work, lots of fun, oodles of sweetness! Yes, it’s busy – what house with little ones isn’t? – but the time sure is flying! Asher’s already 3 months old (and 6 months big:) )! I feel like I’m in a time warp and I’m waiting for a dull moment so I can enjoy a whole cup of tea while it’s still warm and maybe even sit down while doing so!

Nothing to report

Apr2

My official new goal is to blog here regularly. (Haven’t I said this before?) Not to blog only the neato-keeno sort of stuff, but the everyday sort of stuff (or, the everyweek-or-so sort of stuff…). If I tell myself that it’s a required weekly report, then I just might get it done once a month. And if I DON’T tell myself that I have to wait for hilarity or epiphany, then it might get done more than once a month. So, here find the everyday (uh, -weekish), sweet, silly, ordinary, adventurous, rambling report of davidandpenni and crew. Hopefully this “report” of memories and lessons will be a blessing to my family and to anyone who happens to blunder by!

Superfun quotes

Feb17

Simon to Mommy: Piece?

Mommy: Do you want a piece of broccoli?

Simon: Yay!

 

Tali: Asher, you always make me feel happy… even when you’re crying.

 

Asher to Mommy: (smile)

Mommy: (melt)

Fear Not

Dec13

Tali has recently developed a few “unreasonable” fears – fears of certain nighttime shadows in her room, going downstairs alone, and the like. So one day, in an attempt to help her out with this, I asked her, “What command do you think God gave people the most times in the Bible? Do you think it was ‘Obey your mother and father’?” “Yes!” was her good-girl reply. She was surprised when I told her it wasn’t that. I went through a few more commands – love the Lord with all your heart? Love your neighbor as yourself? Do not steal?… She was surprised to hear that the most frequent command in the Bible is “Fear not!” We talked a little more about how she can not be afraid of things like shadows or darkness. Since then I don’t she’s mentioned those scary things at all.

The next day a 7-year-old friend of Tali’s was visiting. While Tali had no trouble asking me for and gobbling a snack, her friend (named “C”) said she wasn’t hungry. I offered our visitor several snack options but she confidently declined each. After a while the two girls were busy playing and I overheard a conversation about God’s commands. “Which command do you think God said the most?” Tali asked her uninformed pal. She took the dear girl through the whole line  questioning that I’d put Tali through until she got to the point – “You don’t need to be afraid to ask my mom for a snack!” Soon after their little talk Tali came to me and told me what had happened, then she explained, “‘C’ was too scared to ask for a snack, but now she wants to know if you’ll make her a sandwich.” Which I gladly did. Sweet, sweet girl!

Tali’s Birthday

Nov9

Our baby girl is FIVE and getting so big-kiddish! She had a great birthday week with Nana visiting from Maryland, a special family breakfast on the BIG DAY, a little girl party one afternoon and the big family party one evening. What a week! Two weeks later she still “can’t believe I’m five!” We’re excited about the smart, sweet, creative kid she’s becoming – well, I guess she’s always been those things – they just keep growing along with her. 

Latest Greatest Quotes

Sep28

1. Tali: Mommy, you and Simon and Daddy and Baby Who (our nickname for Baby #3) just aren’t enough for me. I need someone I can ride. I need a horse!

2. Tali: I just wish I could marry Simon!

3. Jack Thomas to Tali: I love you.
Tali in reply: I love you, too… I guess this means we’ll be good friends from now on.

Of course, Simon’s not saying much in words that we can understand at this point. But he is able to communicate some very important things. If he wants cheese, the word is “ch” or “choo,” usually with intensity and desperation. For grapes, he gives a little piggy snort, also with intensity and desperation, and lots of cuteness. If it’s a drink of water he’s longing for, it’s a run to the sink accompanied by a slurping sound. And while he has the sounds for animals like pig, cow, horse and dog down pretty well, his “word” for frog is, “hhha-hhha.” Oh, the mysteries of the toddler mind.

What fun our ears enjoy daily with these two crazy cuties (and Jack, on occasion). Two little blessings, indeed!