A Holy Lesson

Tonight at dinner, Grace sang us "Happy Birthday Jesus," which she's been practicing for her school Christmas program. She told us that they sang in the church, "which used to be God's house before he died and stuff...."

But the story gets better.

According to her friend, "When God lived in the church they didn't have the fans or pretty windows to look at, so the animals just stood around and stared at the baby. Can you believe that?"

From the mouths of babes.

It's a date

Tonight at dinner, Grace asked us if she would live in her own house when she was "like 20." I told her yes, and that we could come visit her in her house, just like Grandma and Papa come visit us in our house. She replied, "Great; you can come every Thursday." That would be delightful!

Worth a million dollars

Today while I was vacuuming (again), Grace told me that I work so hard, it's like I have a real job. "You know, like those people at Target," she said. Except I get paid in hugs and kisses. Reminds me why it's all worth it!

Questionable work ethic

Me: Grace, please go clean up your room.
Grace: If only half of my room is dirty, do I really have to clean the whole thing or can I just clean that half?

Not sure if she's learning the art of negotiation or if she's just lazy!

"Little House" with the big garden

Grace and I have been reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder series lately, and Grace likes to apply bits of pioneer life to our own life. So today, we "stored up for the long, cold winter ahead."

Jason picked one of our three rows of carrots yesterday. Grace and I prepared about half of what he picked for freezing.

We got four bags of carrots to use in soups this winter!

And while Mom was busy cooking, the kids kept themselves entertained!

The daily grind

I was vacuuming before taking G to school the other day, when she asked why. I said it was so I could fold the laundry while she was gone, and I needed the floor clean so the clothes didn't get full of dog hair. She looked at me point blank and said: "You fold laundry every day. You really should get a new hobby."

Yes, dear, that or a maid!

Double dose of cute

Grace followed Jason around the house today asking question after question. When he asked her why she had so many questions, she replied, "I have a lot of things I don't know."

Later, Grace decided she wanted to shower, like a big girl, instead of bathe. I opened the shower doors for her to get in. And a minute later, they opened back up and out she came, explaining, "I can't go in there; it's too wet in there."

A bright future

Today after dropping off our recycling, I thanked the kids for helping. Grace replied: "Sure thing, Mom. Recycling is important. If we don't save the earth, there will be no place to have birthday parties."

Party on, fellow recyclers. Party on.

Deep thoughts with Grace

During lunch today:

G: I keep my memories in my brain. Where do you keep yours?

In my blog, dear, in my blog.

Back at it

It's been a while since we've had a good quip around here. But this morning, as Jason was seasoning our brisket for dinner and Grace was "supervising", she told him:

"You'd better wash your hands, Dad. If you don't wash them, you'll throw up."

Probable I suppose.

Engineer in training

Tucker was in the habit of chewing his sippy cups so that they'd leak and he could walk around the house pouring his drink out. To fix the problem, we bought him this (pricey) Camelbak bottle that we thought was indestructible.

 

And it's done a great job for about a month. 

However, today, Tucker yet again outsmarted his parents:

It's a good thing he's so cute, or I'd have to be mad.

Side note: At his 18 month check-up today, Tucker was 29 lbs, 10 oz and 34.5 inches tall. Big boy!

Four-year-old fashionista

It's been a bit busy around our house lately, but Grace was able to bring a smile to my face today with this gem:

Courtney: Were all your friends at school today?
Grace: Yes, everyone found something to wear, so they all came to school.

*smile*

Happy Easter

The 2011 Werth family photo.... a few months late, but who's counting.

Hope you all had a happy Easter!

It's getting morbid around here

This morning as I'm brushing my teeth, Grace comes running into the bathroom screaming:
"Mom, come quick. Tucker's bleeding. There's blood everywhere and I don't want him to die."
Turns out he cut his lip somehow and was finger painting with the blood on his hand. We're all OK now.

Then at lunch, Tucker was screaming so loudly that Grace looked at me and said: "I think he could wake the dead."

That's a lot of death talk from one little girl!

It's the little things

When I told Grace that we were going to spend the afternoon bowling with her friend Ian, she responded: "So that means no quiet time today? Yes!"

And here I thought she'd be excited about going out with her friend.

Just like momma says

Court: "Grace why didn't you nap today?'
Grace: "I had too much things on my mind to sleep."

My thoughts exactly.

In a van, down by the river

Today, as Jason was complaining about having to work tonight, Grace told him matter-of-factly:
"If you don't work, we can't have a house, or a van or food and we'll have to live under a bridge and be cold and stuff."

Maybe, just maybe, there's a lesson in there somewhere.

They grow up so fast

Today, Tucker learned two very important things:

(1) That he can stick his finger up his nose and get attention for it. Problem is, he has a hard time finding his nose and usually pokes himself in the eye. But once that nostril is found, that finger is up it to the second knuckle.
(2) That he can squeeze into places that mom and dad can't, thus keeping himself from capture. His favorites so far are under the kitchen table and behind dad's dresser. And of course, only when you're in a hurry and really need him to come out.

Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough to grab pictures today, but I'm sure I'll have some to post soon enough.

Cause for concern

Yesterday morning, Grace became concerned when she learned there was going to be a "salami" hitting California because she was worried about her grandparents who live there. I, too, hope that no salami hit the coast!

P.S. For posterity, there was an earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Yesterday, Grace got in the car after school and we were discussing what she did at school and what I did while she was at school. I told her that I ran 7 miles and got ready, and that was about all I had time for. She looked at me and said: "You looked much prettier yesterday. You should have tried harder today." Sigh...

Early morning wake-up call

This week, we had to stand in line in the pre-dawn hours to register Grace for preschool next year. Because Jason works so early, I had to take both kids with me. When I woke Grace at 615, she matter-of-factly looked at me and said "We can't go to school yet, the sun's not even up." So true! But off we went anyway and we secured a spot in the class we wanted!

Hippie in training

This morning I asked Grace if she wanted a bath. She replied "No thanks, I don't want to waste water." My little environmentalist!

(Just to clarify, she will be getting one tonight instead).

Too much Pinocchio

This morning, while getting ready, Grace asked me if she'd be 5 years old before Tucker would be a "real boy". After about 10 minutes of setting things straight, I still don't think she understands he already is!

speechless

No words to describe this one:

Backhanded compliment

After supper last night, Grace told me that her enchiladas "weren't very bad." I'm guessing she meant they weren't "too bad", as in, they were edible. Around here, you have to take any compliment you can get.

Double the smiles today

Grace had two cute thoughts today.

First, as I'm struggling to plan the meals for this week, she says: "It sure would be a bummer if we didn't have anything to eat this week."

And later, as she's headed to her room for quiet time, she says: "I'm going to go rest. Sometimes I just need a break from all this noise."

She read my mind!

So glad I try

Today as we're making dip for supper:

G: Gee mom, this honey mustard smells almost as good as Wendy's honey mustard.

Sigh.

Today's dose of humor

Because Grace says too many funny things that need to be shared before they are forgotten, I've created a blog. Check in often for your daily dose of humor.

Jan. 25, 2011

Courtney: Grace, go put these things in the laundry basket, please.
Grace: Why am I stuck doing all these chores?
Courtney: Because you live here.
Grace: Well, it's not what i expected when I signed up for this. Why are you treating me this way?