IF... I Agree On It.

Anna and I have new jobs. Her assignment. MY job is to find whatever it is that tickles Her Royal Majesties fancy, HER job is to tell me if she "agrees on it" or not. If YES - I WIN!!! She is happy and we go on with our lives. If she DOESN'T agree (which happens more often that one might think!) then I get to keep guessing until I DO get it right and she "agrees on it".

Two examples.

A: Mom, I want something to eat.

M: Okay. What would you like.

A: I don't know - something I agree on.

M: How about a sandwich?

A: No. I don't agree on that. If I agree on it then I agree but if I don't then I want something else.

M: What about some cheese?

A: Umm... I don't agree.

M: What about a banana?

A: I don't agree. If I agree on it then I agree...

M: Yes. I know how it works. I'm just not sure how to read your mind.

A: Keep looking and I will agree when you say something I agree on...

Scenario #2.

M: Here are your clothes.

A: Not that shirt.

M: Excuse me?

A: I agree on the pants, but not that shirt.

M: Okay, then Princess Picky, which shirt do you want?

A: I don't know. You pick shirts and I will tell you when I agree on one. If I agree then I will say I agree and if I don't then you can pick another one.

M: *sigh*

Kids - it's a good thing they are cute because sometimes...

I AGREE!!!

The Humpty Dumpty Solution...

Anna got a book today. It was about Humpty Dumpty. She wanted it me to read it to her...

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the kings horses and all the king's men...

Couldn't put Humpty together again.

{Pause}

"MOM? WHY DIDN'T THEY JUST CALL THE QUEEN?"

If only Mr. Dumpty's attendants had been so insightful!

Plum Lovely

I remember someone telling us once that "quality time" is a nice thought, but the reality of the situation is, that with children, you must have a large "quantity" of time and then IN that you will find gems of "quality".

The children were out of school Thursday and Friday of last week. This week they had 1/2 day Wednesday and Thursday and were out all day today. Some of that time has been spent nagging about jobs and projects and homework and room cleaning. Some has been wasted on sibling tiffs and tattling and sitting in timeout. But we have had a few "quality gems". A picnic in the park yesterday, pizza party picnic last night with friends, good Student Led Conferences, fun little "games" together... and then today (my favorite thing) we picked our neighbors plums - they love the tree but not the fruit - we sang songs and picked and gathered. It was lovely to have them all gathered around, doing something very worthwhile and productive, and doing it happily. It was a Plum Lovely afternoon...

What Part of PRAYER Don't You Understand?

I was saying a prayer today. Ella came in...

Ella: MOM!

Me: {nothing}

Ella: Mom.

Me: {nothing}

Ella: (shaking me a little) Mom?

Me: Just a second I'm saying a prayer (as if it wasn't obvious!)

Ella: (whispering) Oh. mom?

Master Gardener!!!

You may recall that for my Birthday this year I got the gift of a Master Gardener class from the University of Idaho. After months of lecture, volunteer hours, continuing education, and speaking assignments, I am now OFFICIALLY a MASTER GARDENER GRADUATE!!!

So there.

If you didn't think I was cool before...