I went to my husband's office to look for resources for a paper H is writing. While there, I found a parenting book I'd enjoyed while H&J were little, so I decided to bring it home. H asked C to carry it.
C: What's this book?
Me: Oh, it's a book that helps kids who have trouble with being bad to learn to be good.
We borrowed an audio version of the book Mr. Popper's Penguins, along with a paperback, to read in the car. The audio version proved not to work, so C began reading the paperback aloud. After two chapters, she stopped.
C: Whew! Reading makes me tired! I'm so thirsty, too.
Me: That's fine. You can stop. But I like the way you read. You have good pacing, your words are clear, and you really make it sound interesting.
C: Well...I guess I could read a LITTLE more... :)
We bought one of those little backyard fire pits last summer, but didn't get to use it until a couple weeks ago. The first time, DH built up a fire while the kids were inside. Just before they came out, he threw on some paper and dried leaves for effect. When C came out, she oohed and aahed, then asked, "Oh! Can I be the first one to make a sacrifice?"
C, who often goes by her middle name, which is Joy, just asked me to call her "My Dear Little Joy." She doesn't mind if I also call her Puppy or Chickadee.
C: Momma, can I have some candy? Me: Sorry...no. C: But Mommmmmaaaaaa...oh, wait. I already had a cookie today, and sometimes sugar makes me behave badly. So I'd better not!