Conversation Snippet 9: Five Minutes

Yesterday, I set Caleb to play with his Legos in the corner of my room while I took a short nap. After about 15 minutes, I felt a little tap on my arm.

Caleb (in a whisper): Mom, can I have a snack?

Me: Yes. I'll get it for you in a few minutes. You can just play for a little bit more. Okay?

Caleb: Okay. But I am kinda hungry.

Ten minutes later, I felt another tap on my arm. . .

Caleb: Mom, can I have a snack now?

Me: Sure. I'll get it for you in five minutes. Okay?

Caleb: Umm, how about just five. Not five minutes.

Me: Huh??

Caleb: Five is okay, but not the minute part. Because minutes are sooooooo long. And I am really hungry.

Conversation Snippet 7: Pretty

Alternate Title: Why Everyone Should Keep a 3-year-old in the House

I was standing out on the utility balcony this morning hanging a load of laundry. It is a hot and humid day, and I was sweating after just a minute of being out there. Add that on top of the fact that I've been sick all week, haven't showered in over a day, was sporting a very sloppy bed-head, and was still wearing my pajamas, and you can picture the sight.

I noticed Caleb standing in the doorway watching me work. Then, out of nowhere:

Caleb: Mom, you're really pretty.
Me: Thanks, Caleb.
Caleb: I mean, even though you don't have good clothes on, you're still really pretty.
Me: Thanks, Caleb.
Caleb: You're welcome, Mom. (and off he went to play)

I think he was probably the only person who could have given that complement in complete sincerity of heart. There really is something wonderful about having a 3-year-old!

Conversation Snippet 6: When I'm the boss

On Friday, I was singing a rousing rendition of "What Can Wash Away My Sins?" as I was putting away laundry first thing after breakfast. Apparently, it was too early in the morning for Caleb's liking (either that or he thinks I can't sing!) because he came into my bedroom, flopped on the bed and we had the following conversation:

Caleb: Mom, you need to stop singing that song.

Me: Nope. You can't tell me what to do because you're the son and I'm the Mommy. You may ask me politely, but I might still say no because God made me the boss of you when He made me your Mommy.

Caleb: When do I get to be the boss?

Me: When you grow up and you are the Daddy then you can be the boss.

Caleb: Hmm (thinking quite seriously). . . Well just so you know, when I grow up and I'm the boss and I'm singing really loud and my son comes and tells me to stop, I will listen to him!

What we've been up to lately. . .

Finger Painting (or, in Annabelle's case, Body Painting)

and. . .

Pretending to be Elephants at the Zoo. . .

and. .

A little bit of "Crazy Time".

Mom's Group

One of the things I love most about the church we attend is the Mom's group I am part of. It is a great group of women and I look forward to the fellowship and encouragement every week. Recently, we had an outing at the Botanical Gardens and one of our church members offered to come and take some photos for us.

Bye, Mom!

Yesterday evening, I went out with a group of moms from our church for a Mom's Night Out. Just as I was walking out the door, Caleb called from the living room, "Bye, Mom!! Have fun and be careful! It's slippery out there." Josh (who at the time of my departure was changing a nasty blowout diaper in the back of the house) told me later that just after I left, Caleb came running to him and said, "Dad, don't worry. . . I said goodbye to Mom and told her something she would be happy to hear. I told her to be careful because it is slippery."

Where does he get this stuff??

THREE!

Happy Birthday, My Big Boy!

(the pink cake was supposed to be red, but we ran short on the food coloring)

To Keep Things Fair

Just to keep things fair between the siblings and to to debunk any theories floating amongst you that I no longer take pictures of my firstborn, here is a recent favorite of Caleb. Look at that smile on his face. . . sheer joy!

What Boys Love

If you've ever wondered what two-and-a half-year-old boys love, wonder no more. . .

Oh, and happy half-birthday, Little Boy. It's hard for your mommy to believe you are already halfway to three!

Your daily dose of cuteness

I know my last post was a picture of Sweat Pea, but I just can't help myself. She so stinkin' cute!






And, just in case that wasn't a large enough dose of cuteness for the day:




Okay, I promise I'll stop. . . someday.

Conversation Snippet 1: I'm proud of you, Daddy

I'm starting a new category called Conversation Snippets. There have just been too many good ones lately and I don't want to forget them. I hope you get a chuckle or two along the way.

The following occurred between Caleb and me just yesterday:


"Caleb, you went pee pee on the potty all by yourself!! Mommy is so proud of you!"

"I'm proud of Daddy!"

"You are?? Why?"

"I'm proud of Daddy because Daddy goes pee pee on the potty, too!"

Grocery Shopping with Caleb

I have been getting the biggest kick out of Caleb lately. He's got something to say about everything! It's as if the first two years worth of thought have finally formulated into words and he just feels compelled to get it all out.

We just got home from a much-needed trip to the grocery store. The kids were sick last week and I had already put off going the week before, so by today, I really needed to go. That meant, I was desperate enough to take both kids with me, in broad daylight. Brave, I know.

Had someone felt so inclined to follow us through the grocery store, they could have gleaned enough information about us to steal our identities, at least our food identities. Caleb found it virtually impossible to pass by any item he recognized without pointing it out and providing some sort of commentary on it. For instance, the cereals:

Hey Mom, look. Cereal!! That's the kind Daddy likes.

Yep.

We need to get some for Daddy.

Very thoughtful of you, Caleb. I guess we can get one for Daddy.

Ummm. . . maybe just two?? (it helps that this also happens to be his favorite cereal as well)

or fruit:

Oh wow! Apples. There are a lot of apples! Mom, those are the apples I like. You like apples, too, Mommy. Can we get apples, Mom???


So, if you have any questions about what the Redins like to eat, just ask Caleb. He'll be more than happy to tell you.

A conversation about heaven

Caleb was sick last week. Very sick. At one point, after praying with Caleb that God would make him better, the following conversation transpired:camping out on the couch

"I am sorry you are sick, Sweetheart. I hope God answers our prayer soon."

"Yeah, me too."

"Do you want to hear some really good news? Someday, if you accept Jesus and love him, God will let you go to heaven to live with Him forever. And in heaven, no one is ever sick. Isn't that something to look forward to?"

"Yes! No more sick. That's good!"

"Yes, it is good. God is very kind to us."

"Yeah, He is! . . . .Hey, Mom. . . I wanna go to Church!"

Drink Choices

Caleb: Mommy, can I have juice?
Me: No, you already had a cup this morning.
(walking to refrigerator and opening)
You can have water or. . . SHOOT!, we're out of milk. Sorry.
Caleb: Um. . . I want Shoot, please.

From the mouth of babes

Every morning, at breakfast, I lead Caleb in a prayer, thanking God for our food and our family and friends, and asking God to help us love Him and glorify Him in whatever activity we have planned for that day. This morning, when we finished our prayer, Caleb said, "Mama, I wanna pray." So, we closed our eyes and folded our hands again and I waited. . .

"God. . . Please we go to the mini-mart today. Jesus name, Aaaaaaamennnnn!"

Remember when. . .

A friend of ours dropped off a few toys her daughter has outgrown. Caleb was excited about the exersaucer. I wonder if he remembers when. . .

Four months old

Two years old

The Cookie Book

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. . .

Interview

2 Years Old!

Happy Birthday, Big Boy!

Caleb's List of Favorite Things
(click here for last year's list)

1. Transportation of any kind, especially motorcycles, helicopters, jet airplanes, trains, race cars, and boats.
2. Baby Annabelle