This and That

When we found a new home for our dog Posey (did I mention we gave her away?), we promised the boys a fish instead. I love that that was an acceptable trade. The boys named him Frank. (Look at Cory the ham in these pictures!)

Right after we got Frank, we were driving somewhere when Iain said thoughtfully, "I wonder what Frank is thinking right now..."

(Some of these quotes are recycled from Facebook. Just didn't want to lose them.)

Cory: You are the boss of us, and Jesus is the boss of you.

Me: That's right.

Cory: That's because Jesus is a grown-up.

Me: Actually, it's because He's God.

Cory: And God is a grown-up. Just a really big one.

Iain: I've figured out some'kin. If I just do whatever Mama and Daddy ask right away, it takes less time and I can get back to my playing.

Me: (finally!!)

Cory: I know how to be wise in a pleasant way. Bring band-aids with you.

The boys both got new bikes! (Thanks Aunt Sam!)

(Iain with old bike and new)

(Cory cracks me up!)

(Laina watches her brothers ride.)

Iain, at the park, to me: I'm going to go make a new friend.

(to a seven-year-old boy): What are you doing?

Boy: (keeps digging in the sand, no answer)

Iain: My name is Iain Mark B. What's yours?

Boy: Andrew.

Iain: Oh! I have a cousin named Andrew as well.

Kelly, to me: Did he just say, "as well"?

(and then Iain and Andrew played for the rest of the time at the park. My boy made me proud with his friend-making skills. He's so great.)

Cory, looking at Laina: Mama, why is she brown?

Me: Because God made her that way.

Cory: I think being brown makes her cuter.

Me: Me too.

Cory: Having a baby is hard because then you have to be really not whiney if she does something wrong.

Speaking of the little lady, here she is:

Oh my word, is she ever cute. And funny. And smart. She's soo close to walking. I give her a month and she'll be off. She mimics sounds and words. She says night-night and hi. (She says "haaaaa" and waves to Jeremy every time she sees him--so cute!!) She mimics me saying shhh, and p-p-p, and other sounds. She regularly says uh-oh when she drops something. She gives hugs now, too, which is the sweetest thing ever. Love that girl.

If you go to church with us, you saw this one. We had a graduation thing for the pre-k kids who are moving up into Kids' Church. Of course, Iain is one of them, and is so very excited. So at church, the kids are all up on stage singing their VBS songs, and doing motions. Well, Iain was not doing the motions. More on that in a minute.

After the songs, all the kids are told to sit down on stage. Stephen B, one of the elders, gets the mic and says something like, "Now we're going to do a graduation for the kids who are moving up into Kindergarten." And my dear Iain stands up and says loudly, "That's me!"

Everyone: (laughing)

Stephen: Yes, you are moving up, aren't you? And--

Iain: This is my last week to be in preschool. After this I get to be in Kindergarten.

Everyone: (laughing)

Stephen: Okay, would you like to tell everyone what will happen next week?

Iain: (taking the mic and speaking loudly and slowly into it): I am going to be in kindergarten because I am almost five.

Everyone: (more laughing)

Me: (afraid of what he might say next!)

Stephen: (goes on with the program)

Iain: (still standing, calls out) I think it's going to be more funner!

After the service, several people commented on what a--ahem--confident young man we're raising. And when I asked him later why he didn't do the motions, he replied: "I was too embarrassed." Riiight.