It's the small things!

Hallie received a birthday card in the mail from Chris's Auntie Wilma today. She loves getting mail. This was special mail because when she opened it, there was money inside. Her eyes were so big. I wish I would have had the camara to capture the moment when she saw it. I had plenty of opportunity to take pictures afterwards as she sat in "awe" for quite some time. She had been anticipating this card since last week when Auntie Wilma told her she would mail her something. Special thanks to Auntie Wilma for taking the time to do something simple to make Hallie's day.

I took some great video of Raya playing "peek-a-boo" today. I will have to take some pictures of her over the next few days to post. She moves so quickly it's hard to get the camara to take a picture fast enough.

OOOPPS, I did it again!

I have learned many times to NEVER SAY NEVER, especially about parenting. Well, today it rang true once more as I did something I promised myself I would never do. It all stemmed after a few days of Hallie insisting on have conversations such as this one:

Mom: It's time for lunch, sit at the table
Hallie: Why?
Mom: Because it's 12oclock and lunch is ready
Hallie: Why Mom?
Mom: Because we are going to get hungry soon.
Hallie: Why?
Mom: Because we need to eat for energy
Hallie: Why?
Mom: So that we can do fun things
Hallie: Why Mom?
Mom: Hallie, you need to sit at the table so we can have lunch
Hallie: Why
Mom: Because that is where we eat
Hallie: Why Mom?
Mom: Because it doesn't make as much mess and it shows good manners
Hallie: Why
Mom: "BECAUSE I SAID SO"

And there is the quote that I swore I'd never say to my children but after a few days of a million WHYS I just caved! I can't take it anymore!

The really crappy part is that Chris and I were just commenting the other day that she hadn't ever gone through the "why phase" that some of her friends are in right now. Apparently she heard us talking and now has figured out a great way to drive us crazy.

Bless her heart though, she smiles the cutest little smile every time she says it :)

It's going to get better

This page looks really boring and so I am going to have to spend some time "spicing it up" this weekend (in all my free time!). My sister stole the best template and there really isn't very many to choose from so I'm going to have to get my handy dandy husband (who thinks he knows a little bit about these machines) to help me.

Anyway, yesterday, as Hallie was getting close to being sold on ebay or locked in her room or recieving some other sort of creative discipline, she came over to me and said:
"Look me in the eyes Mama" so I did. Then as she stared in my eyes she said
"You're precious to me". I nearly cried.

Later in the day when she was once again pushing my buttons and following me around driving me nuts she said "I have something to tell you"

I said "What's that".

And she said "Guess what Mom?" with this silly grin on her face.

"What Hallie?" with frustration

"I think you're beautiful Mom!"

How sweet is she!

Her dad tells her everyday that she is precious and beautiful. Now we know she is listening!