Birthday Happenings

Thanks, Chris and Jee-Eun. Zeke sure loves getting mail and he enjoyed decorating his cake this evening.

Luke and I took Zeke on a "date" the night before his birthday. It was fun to see how excited he was about going to a restaurant and the Lego store. He willingly took a nap so that he could stay up late that night. :-)

The Lego store was like over stimulation to a Lego-loving boy. He would pick out one set that he was just sure was the best . . . it was the one he wanted. Then he would spot another and change his mind. Finally Luke selected four that were in our price range (:-)) and let him decide between them. He's been busy building the last two days.

Walking back to the car, at the end of our date he sighed, then said, "Hmm . . . this been a pretty nice day, guys!" Luke and I exchanged glances and smiles.

Four-year-olds say some funny things. It's been a good reminder to me to not stress about the small stuff and just smile, laugh and enjoy the ride. Not too long ago, Zeke, Charis and Eden were all in the bathroom with me. This is typical. Like everyone just feels the need to be together and between diapering two children and helping the toilet trained ones, I'm in the bathroom a lot. There's even a phone in there now. Really.

So we were all in there and when you get three small kids in a confined space, all trying to accomplish something, there tends to be conflict. Yes, indeed, the bathroom can be a high-stress place for me. :-) In one of these moments, Zeke says in an extremely loud voice, "Mommy, I can't hear you!! I'm blind!"

Some of the things he says are funny, but are not exactly what you want to encourage your child to say. Yesterday evening Charis was tired and everything was just wrong for her. She was complaining about every last thing. I was trying to nurse. Luke was trying to do the dinner dishes. Zeke was at the table building his Legos. After quite a few episodes of Charis complaining and whining Zeke said, "Guys, lets take Charis to Goodwill." That's where we take our broken and unused items so I guess it was a logical suggestion.

I'm glad relationships aren't that disposable. :-) I'm glad my parents didn't drop me off when I was an over-dramatic two year old.

I could write books of good and funny memories about these little ones . . . but mornings always come early and there is still work to be done . . .

To my little joy of a four-year-old: happy birthday, Zeke.