They keep us grinning

...the kids that is. They definitely keep us on our toes, but without a doubt, they give us a good laugh every single day. I say this often to friends who aren't sure if they want kids or who are getting ready to have a baby: "Parenting is the hardest job I've ever had but it is by far the most rewarding!"

Bry started 2nd grade this week at his new school and it's going very well. We are very pleased with his teacher. Our neighborhood was rezoned to a different school which at first seemed like one more unneeded change in his ever-changing world, but it has turned out to be a good thing. He bolts off the bus everyday with his wild blonde curls and a huge smile stretched across his tired face. After having him home all summer, by 2:00 I am missing that little Lego maniac!

On Wednesday, Bryant got off the bus and informed me, "The girl on the bus that was being a bully, she pinched my armpit! She said she knows where everyone lives and we can't get away from her. She also said she wants to get a nose ring, so she is DEFINITELY not the girl for me." Later I asked Bryant if he thought she was "the girl for him" before she mentioned her desire for the nasal decor. He replied, "No, but I'm pretty sure she thought I was the boy for her."

Just a little while ago I overheard Delainey having a pretend conversation on her Barbie cell phone. This is what I heard...
"Hi Casey, I'm sorry I missed your e-mail....unt-uh, no I haven't seen Dora..." It just cracks me up how she gets lost in her world of imagination. She's getting a little sassy lately, which isn't fun to deal with but my hope is that it will pass quickly. Overall, she's a delight. She is such a vibrant little thing and optimism is the biggest part of her thought process, which I love! Everyday is an adventure in the life of this 3 year old! What she lacks in size (often still in 18 month and 2T clothes!) she does more than make up for in her love for everyday life. The things we could learn from that kind of outlook!

It's hard to even picture Elle being sassy or anything but perfect at this point. But experience tells me I couldn't be further from reality if I buy into that train of thought. I'm sure by this time next year, she'll be picking fights with her older sibbling like the little chihuahua who picked on the big doberman. As much as I'd like to think differently, I'm certain she'll even talk back a time or two. As for now, we're enjoying the blissfulness of a sweet and precious little crawler who thinks her parents and her sibblings are the greatest people in the whole wide world.

We are immeasurably blessed!