Lately...

I don't want to forget these little moments that made me smile...

Ben- snuggling up to me on the couch with the blanket from his bed.
"Mommy...I am using my "orgidary" blanket. But I am not an Orgidary boy.
"oh no?"
"I am a..." He looks down sheepishly at the floor and stifles a smile "SUPER boy".

He is surprising me with the depth of his questions lately...mostly because I have to actually think now..or even look it up!
"Mommy, if there is no other route where a construction crew is working, where would they put the detour?" (and yet he pronounces it "orgidary" ha!)
"If gas is clear, what colour is diesel fuel

Ben is starting to read. He has some sight words that he knows, recognizes and can write all of his letters and numbers (except the number 2...and "S" he struggles with them horribly and I have to try not to laugh at his efforts because his frustration is very real, but also secretly makes me smile). He wants DESPERATELY to read which is the fire he needs to get himself there. I am thrilled with his enthusiasm. I have read to him from literally the day he was born, filled our home with hundreds of children's books and planned weekly library trips for years in hopes that I would have children who love to read. There is nothing you can't learn, no where you can't go and nothing better then getting caught up in a book!

Jacob is a nutty little dancer. He stomps and claps as he hops around...then he falls on the ground lifting a leg and shouting "Ta Daaaaa"!

he loves to be wrapped in a blanket and rocked in his rocking chair. He loves to be "my baby" he reminds me of this as we rock- "My Mommy baby?" he says in his sweet little falsetto. Always I say. Always.

Jon went to watch his Kung Fu class last week. He had brought the boys with him a few times when I was sick last winter and Jake remembers this vividly. Jon shut the door and Ben inquired where he went. Jacob, overhearing, ran back in the kitchen moments later with his little fire fighter rain boots squeezed on over his footed pajamas. "ME GO! ME GO! ME GO! ME GO DADDY!" It was a mix of hopeful desperation and I knew the face that would crumble when I broke him the news. "Daddy already left, just Daddy is going tonight". Sure enough, he crumbled to the ground, shoulders hung. The same little voice now wailing in defeat "Nooooo Meeeee Gooooo!" oh the heartbreak! It was truly pathetic. If we had another vehicle I would have actually driven him over myself I could barely stand it. But true to two year resiliency, some of his beloved Duck's antics on Little Bear and a bowl of grapes was enough to distract him.

I talked to Ben on the phone the other day. I didn't recognize his voice and realized that I had never spoken to him over the telephone before. It was strange. I had never been away from him so much to warrant a phone conversation in the past.

I sure am grateful for the happiness that little children bring to a family. They really do add a level of joy to our home that couldn't otherwise be had without every little bit of what they have to offer. These are hard times, but they are happy days.