Four. No, Five... Who's on first? Who.

(Abby on a normal night doing her homework - all business)

(This is Abby this week - a hysterical, giggling mess)

Every night Abby has reading homework, and a lot of it sometimes. Last week I made our own Abbot and Costello bit. She had a list of words to read and number four was the word FOUR. So when she'd get to it she'd say "four" and I'd say, "yes, I need you to read number 4". Then she'd say "four" and I'd pretend to be annoyed and say again, "yes, do number 4" Then she'd squeal and giggle. This would go on for a few minutes until I had no more witty ways to tease her, so we'd go on to number 5 and so on...

Well this week, she once again had the word four, but it was on the review column of words and this week it was number 5. She was devastated that we'd have no way to joke around with it.

(here's part of her list)

1. way

2. find

3. follow

4. found

5. four

6. full

But her ever so clever mom came through. Here's how it would go down...

Let's read your words, Abby. Start with number 1.

way

number 2

find

number 3

follow

number 4

found

number 5

four

OK, you can do number four again

found

Now do number 5

four

Abby we already did number 4 can you read number 5?

four

No, we're not doing 4 we're doing 5. Please read it.

four

Abby, I'm getting kinda tired of this, Stop arguing with me and do number 5

four

OK we'll go back to number 5 later do number 6...

full...

Ok are you ready to try number 5 again?

four

Forget about it, I quit. Go have your dad help you (At which point, Jeremy takes over the game for the next 10 minutes, until I tell them she really does need to get her homework finished and she goes on, but not before she is hysterical and can hardly breathe from laughing so hard. It will really be a sad week next week when the number four is no longer on her list.

But it beats last year when I'd arrange her sight words to be read in this order - I- like- to- go- do- do... She never really appreciated that one. I've come a long way. And Abigail really does have a great sense of humor. I love that girl!

Abby - my almost 7 year old with pierced ears

Last year when Abby's birthday was coming up, I asked her if she wanted a party or to go shopping with just her Mama at the mall. She chose the latter. We had a joyous time and even peeked our heads in to Claire's contemplating getting her ears pierced. I had to be 10 to get mine pierced because my mom didn't want to have to care for my ears for me, good logic right? Using that reasoning, I talked her out of it and APPARENTLY I told her we could do it when she turned 7. Leave it to my elephant memory child to not forget something, because a while ago, she started reminding me that that is what she wanted for her birthday.

So last night for FHE, we loaded the family in the van and headed to the mall. On the way there we threw in a little lesson on gratitude and the pilgrims. The kids each took turns saying what they were grateful for. Hannah was the most eager, yelling out 5 things to each person's 1. Jeremy even said, and I quote - "I'm thankful that I saw that cruiser bruiser before anyone else!" Then he hit me. I digress, sorry - back to Abby.

We got to the mall, and we spent a good chunk of time picking out her earrings. Then it came time for her to sit on the chair for the piercing. Jake was rather disappointed that the gun wasn't more intimidating. All were staring at her hoping for some great drama. It didn't happen. Abby took it like a man and did great with the first ear. The second one was a bit more painful I guess, 'cause I could tell she wanted to cry, but she stayed composed and was all smiles as soon as she got to see herself in the mirror.

My camera died right as the girl was getting ready to do the first ear, so I had to wait until this morning to get the after shot.

Happy Birthday, Peanut!

Night and Day

Yesterday Abby woke up quite emotional. While debating with Jake about how many weeks the kids have left in school until summer, I ran to my room to check my calendar. Abby came into my room a few minutes later hysterical, sobbing because, "Hannah never uses the calendar I got her for Christmas." I explained to her that Hannah cannot read a calendar, she's a little bit young but that she certainly enjoys the pictures. For crying out loud, the calendar is hung next to her bed. But Abby went to work squeezing the crocodile tears out of her gorgeous eyes. It was an awful morning. I couldn't believe it.
Fast-forward to this morning: I went to the girl's room to wake them up. I was already dressed ready to go for the day. I reminded Abby that all her laundry is done and she has lots of options for today. She bounded out of bed - she is usually NOT a morning person. The next thing I know she's coming into the kitchen dressed identical to me. Grinning she told me about all the ways we are the same - same shirt, same white under shirt, same tight jeans (mine are just tight because I've gained weight), same flip flops, same brown eyes. Then she asked me if I could put her hair in a pony tail so our hair would be the same. It was so sweet, it melted my heart. I love mornings like today. I appreciate them so much more especially when they're followed by the emotions of yesterday.
I think we are a lot the same- typically kind of quiet unless we're around family. We both hate to be called on at church. I never thought I was emotional, but I'm sure Jeremy would say otherwise.
I love Abby and I hope and pray every day that I can raise her well and teach her to grow up confident, righteous and happy.
Thanks Peanut for keeping me on my toes.