houpley

The boys say the best graces before dinner.  Yes, the boys. We have multiple graces at our mealtimes. Everyone wants a turn. Sometimes they are sing song, sometimes they are short and silly and sometimes they will melt your heart. The other day, Jackson was mid-grace and thankful for food and family and force fields. Yes, he ended his grace by asking if God could put a force field around our loved ones. I'm hope God is a Star Wars fan.

I had just turned out the light and put Eli in his bed. I tucked his quilt and loveys and stuffed animals all around him when he looked up and sighed: "This is just the place I want to be." Sigh. Their happiness is my happiness.

Jackson's favorite part about getting a hair cut is the faux-hawk the stylist gives him afterward.  "Mama, I love that lazy head that sleepy head what is it?" "Bed head?" "Yes?" My boy, he loves him some good hair product, what can I say….

You better watch out mama, I'm going to grow up in just a minute! - Eli

Over the holidays, the boys enjoyed their advent calendars from Auntie Fave. Jackson's was an elaborate Lego calendar where each day was something to be built and add to a winter scene. Eli's was just as magical with each day providing a tiny toy to add to Santa's workshop. Each evening we would open a day and play with that window's new treasure. But Jackson was even pleased with Eli's advent-calendar learnings: "Wow, mama, isn't this great? Eli is learning so many new vocabulary words like Trumpet and Gentleman !"

Eli don't stand on the vent. Why? Well, I don't want you to bend it or fall in there. Because then I won't be Eli anymore? … Because then I will sappear? ...

Eli, I Love you no matter what - forever and always. I love you too, mama. Even if you get runned over I will still love you forever and always.