A Child's View of Her President

Claire came home with a rhyme she learned at school today. Over, and over, and over, and over, and over she sang out (to the tune of "nah-nah-nah-boo-boo") "I'm the king of the castle, [so-and-so]'s a dirty rascal." She did it until I thought my ears would jump right off my head and cover my laser-beam eye balls.

"Don't sing that again, please!" (times 3, because she never listens after just one request)

As we are getting ready for our Bible story, she starts again.

"I'm the king of the castle,
Obama's a dirty rascal!"

Although I had threatened to administer the much-hated corporal punishment for singing that song again, her deep insight left me speechless, but laughing.

Yes, dear. Obama is a dirty rascal (thought, not spoken--we're working on respecting authority).

And, since I haven't posted a SK funny lately:

A picture may not always be worth a thousand words, but this one is worth a few chuckles.

Dental Hygiene with Claire

Claire is a master teeth-brusher. She is in charge of her own oral hygiene most mornings/nights. She does a great job (thanks to thorough instructions from her daddy who flosses twice a day--who does that, really?). She has made it to age 5 with no cavities, always a good report from the dentist.

Tonight, while brushing her teeth she educated the whole family on the importance of brushing your tongue.

C: "The nastiest part of your mouth is the back of your tongue."

Me: "How do you know?"

C: "It is dark and moist. I'd stay there if I were a germ."

Conversations with a 5 Year Old

Claire: Mama, what's a "jockey"?

Me: It's someone who races horses.

Claire: Ooooh! You mean a "joppy!" I know what that is!

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Me: I love you so much!

Claire: I love you more than you love me!

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Me: Claire, why did you get in trouble at school today?

Claire: Me and Nathan were arguing about whose ice cream was the tastiest.

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Claire: Will we take Hermie's (our hermit crab) cage up to Heaven, or just Hermie?

Me: I think just Hermie.

Claire: But how will he change his shell?

Me: I don't know.

Claire: Maybe we could look around and collect shells for him and put them in a bag. Then we could hold onto the bag until we go to Heaven so he will have some in Heaven.

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This is a sampling of my conversations with Claire today. I wish I could capture each one of her five-isms from every day. It's one of the perks to motherhood--an interactive comedic show.

Claire Turns FIVE!

roses from Daddy

the cake she decorated

Claire @ 5:

• favorite color--red
• favorite show--WordGirl and Imagination Movers
• loves to laugh
  
• she will say the same ridiculous thing over and over to get a laugh from her sister
• wears the same rainbow sandals every single day
• loves words, their meaning, their look, their sound
• does not get tired--ever
• learning to navigate her way on the computer
• loves candy bucket, Mama, Nathan
• wants to move to Chattanooga when she grows up
• gets in trouble at school for talking, laughing, making noises, not stopping when she's told
• reading 3 and 4 letter words
• still loves to cuddle
• wants to be a director, actor, or veterinarian
• loves horses, unicorns, dolphins, rainbows
  
• favorite toys: Barbie, books, My Little Pony, stickers, crayons, paper from my printer

And her Mama loves her more each day (most days). She is becoming this bubbly dreamer. Her eyes sparkle brighter than mine ever have, I am sure. I consider it an absolute blessing to be her mother.

Tired

Because I'm tired of looking at those goofy curtains that I see in real life when I pull up my blog to direct me to other people's lives when I'm tired of my own . . .

Because I'm physically tired and my eyes are open only because I drank a cup of coffee at 7 p.m., which I will regret in 7 hours when I try to roll out of bed to make a cake for our church potluck since I'm too tired to do it tonight. . .

Because there are more things than the fatigue making me tired. . .

Because these two sparks are often times the source of my tired, and are the only things that keep me going when I'm tired. . .

Claire sending me a message: "I love you!"

Sarah Kate, the family sign language instructor
Sometimes saying "I love you" takes determination and concentrated effort.

When I got this shirt, I knew Claire would be thrilled. I told her about her new shirt over the phone.

"I don't want to wear boy's clothes."

"But it has sparkle on it," I say with convincing enthusiasm.

"But Superman is a boy."

"This is a Supergirl shirt with gold sparkle!"

I won her over. "OK! I can't wait to show Matthew!"

Bathroom Window Mistreatments

I'm adding to my gallery of window mistreatments! I finished the two windows in our master bath tonight. It took me an hour and >$10, hardware and all. I have visions for our big windows in the family living areas. That will require some kid-free shopping time! My favorite part of the process: ripping the fabric. Very liberating!! And I LOVE the ribbon! I think I have enough left to trim out a shade for the lamp by my sink. Can I take the week off of work to decorate?!

before & after shots

Stop by and check this place out. Inspiration awaits you!

Snow Day

our first steps in the snow

"Watch out Mama! I get you booty!"

our snow person, "Ice Kate"

my snow angels

Ice Kate