I wish...

I wish I had a second cell phone to capture a video of Madigan right now.  She is using Siri on my cell phone, trying to "call Dad," because he is at work.

Siri then asks Madigan what her Dad's name is....

She doesn't know.

It's funny to listen to Madigan give commands to Siri and then to hear Siri's answers.  F.U.N.N.Y.

Only I get to watch this interaction and that makes me sad.  I wish everyone were home to be able to quietly watch this sweet moment.

But, there are many more moments to come.  This girl is full of them and we love to sit and laugh at her antics. She brings a special joy to our home...and we are grateful we were given her.

Mini-tornado

What do you do when you're two years old and your seven year old brother is asleep?

Try to put mascara on him. 

She did a very thorough job on Hayden's face and her own.

This girl keeps us on our toes and we're learning that we ALWAYS have to keep tabs on her.  Silence means destruction in some part of our home.

Sky Lanterns for Connor's 5th Birthday...

Just placed the order for the Sky Lanterns and surprisingly, tears came to my eyes as I spoke with the man on the phone.  He's going to make sure they are here in time.  Yeah for a kind man in Michigan!

It's one tradition that our living children won't let die.

It's one that Spencer and I love too.

An Awesome Big Brother

A few mintues ago Miss Madigan signed and said "Eat."  I was busy trying to finish a task and ignored her for the moment, only to turn around a few minutes later and see her settled into her booster seat with the tray attached and a bowl of cereal in front of her.

Yeah for big, awesome, kind brothers!

Hayden did this all on his own and it was neat for me to see!!!

I have a big brother and he did kind things for me too when growing up (he also teased me a lot...but we won't talk about that)! 

Wisdom...

We've had several discussions around our home lately...the most recent happened earlier this week after the bombing at the Boston Marathon.  Sometimes I don't even know what to say to my kids...because they and their children are going to have to live in a world that is so foreign to what my life has been like.

With all the school shootings, bombings and other sickening acts I'm not always sure of how to prepare them...but then I come across ideas from other mothers as they post on their blogs.  Their words of wisdom and insight give me ideas of what to say to my kids and I am appreciative of being able to access the wisdom of mothers who no longer are alive...like this from Mr. Rogers mom...


“’When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.’ ~Mr. Rogers.

I copied another mom's blog where she talked about being the "light" and how for every act of unkindness and cruelty, she would do 100 kind acts.

Grateful for other minds who share their great wisdom with mom's like me....

Spring Break....

Spring Break sparks creativity!!  I just walked into the kitchen to find Hayden making a sign that reads, "Free Milkshakes by Hayden and __(a friends name who doesn't even know he's been roped into this)__.

Hayden makes me smile.

Humorous Moment..

I just saw something happen that I want to remember...

We've taught Miss Madigan some sign language to help us better communicate and I just saw her use four signs in succession so that she could get what she wanted!!

More...Please...she then tried folding her arms (this is a new thing that she's picked up) and then she tried More again....all in about 2 seconds.

All for the Squiggles app!!

It made me chuckle.  This girl is affectionately called E.B.B....which stands for "Extreme Busy Body."  The name fits!!

Busiest child we've ever had.