November funnies

Nov. 1--Elle is really working on honing her powers of persuasion--especially with me. After I told her she couldn't have something she wanted, she said, "I'm going to count to 3 and you're going to change your mind."

Nov. 3--Kev made the funnies this time, for calling out to one of the girls with a classic Kevin mix-up, "Rapunzel! Where art thou?" :)

Nov. 6--Elle had a scratch that was getting better. As she passed her finger over it, she remarked, "Up hurts, down doesn't! It's a MAGIC scratch!"

Later, we drove past a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant with the picture of the well-known Colonel on the sign. Elle got all excited, "I just saw a sign with a picture of Joseph Smith on it!"

Nov. 9--I always try to get the older kids on my team, helping me teach correct principles and behavior to the younger ones. Now that Eden is old enough to really copy what Elle is doing, I've started stressing Elle's responsibility more, telling her how much I need her help teaching Eden how to choose the right, how to be kind, how to share, etc. Elle wasn't up for any extra jobs on this day--"I don't want to teach anyone." I know how she feels--sometimes you don't want to accept the fact that your actions influence the people around you for good or bad. Especially the mother. It's a heavy load some days, but like the sign in Mama KK's kitchen reminded, "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."

Nov. 11--Eating is a race in our house, in an attempt to get them to finish a meal under 2 hours :). Elle is usually the slowest-- most easily distracted--and is always disappointed when Ryn calls out triumphantly, "I beat you, Elle!" On this morning, Elle woke up earlier than Ryn and Eden, and was eating an early breakfast alone when she realized the position she was in. "I'm going to beat Ryn and Eden because they are sleeping! YES!"

Nov. 14--Eden's voice and personality are coming through loud and clear now. Whenever she has installed herself on the couch with a book or at the table with playdough, she pats the place next to her and looks up with those huge blue eyes and commands, "Sit!"

Nov. 16--As explained above, Ryn had been trying to remind Elle of something she needed to be doing and followed up her counsel with this, "I'm your big sister so I'm teaching all of you how to be like Jesus."

Nov. 20--All of our girls love the snow--watching it fall, playing in it, eating it. We walked out of Walmart to find new snow covering the parking lot and Elle exclaimed, "I LOVE this!" I'll never forget the twinkle in those excited brown eyes.

Nov. 23--I'm not a big shopper. Kevin has that department covered enough for our entire family :). Especially when I'm pregnant, grocery shopping is usually all I'm up for. That should have explained Ryn's question at bedtime, "Mom, are there other stores in Utah besides Walmart and Sams?", but I still laughed out loud.

Nov. 24--We had hung 5 stockings up with our Christmas decorations and Ryn was counting off the members of our family. Standing by the stockings, she was pointing to each person--"1, 2, 3, 4....(for her, Elle, Eden and I)....5 is at work and 6 is in your tummy!"

Nov. 25--Ryn and Elle were giggling their little heads off in the back seat of the car when Elle sighed and said, "Ryn, I am going to have a lot of fun with you." :) I think that's how we all felt when we found out we'd get to be in families with our best friends.

They were so excited to be wearing their snow boots, but we were driving home in the dark after a fun Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad's. Elle was disappointed that she couldn't see her boots so Ryn suggested she just wait til we passed under each street light for a chance to see them :). Classic Ryn--always finding a way to help make everyone happy.

How very much I have to be thankful for! Every day with these girls and my angel husband is a gift.