I broke Ella's heart yesterday.

We were driving home from having dinner at Fuddrucker's (my first hamburger in months. I guess I can't have another until December or something.) and we were having a discussion about nieces and nephews, and how all the relatives are related to the kids. We told Ella that when she gets married in at least 20 years (I'm sticking to that rule!) her kids will be our grandkids.

"When I marry Lear, our kids will be your gran-chil-in?" Ella said.

"Sorry Ella, but you can't marry your brother - or your cousins. Maybe you'll marry Kyle or Elijah." I replied. (Kyle is my friend Brei's son, and Elijah is Coryellen's. Both are her friends.)

"Yeah, Ella," Lear chimed in, "you can only marry your friends. I used to want to marry you or mommy, too, until I found that out."

A small whine started in the carseat behind me. It grew in both volume and pitch, before Ella burst into hysterical sobs. Why? Because she can't marry Lear. She cried all the way home.

"Don't worry, Ella. In 20 years, you'll think that marrying your brother is the most disgusting thing ever," I said, trying to comfort her.

For some reason, that didn't help at all.

Saturday at the Jaynes's

Ella discovered a 0-3 months size dress in her closet that she insisted I put on her. I told her it was too small, but apparently I don't know what I'm talking about, because she swore it wasn't. It only lasted about two minutes before she decided that it really was too small after all.

Cory took Lear to McDonald's for a father-son only lunch, so Ella and I had a tea party. I was just going to use water in the tea pot, but Ella said that "you take the wa-ler and put sugar in it and stir it." So, that's what I did. I also added cinnamon for a little flavor. We baked cookies, put on all of the play jewelry in the house, and had some civilized conversation.

When Lear came home, he wanted in on the action, although he refused to wear the jewelry.

Later that day, the boys watched America's Funniest Home Videos on our bed. Lear's legs are up in the picture, but for the longest time they were lying exactly the same way. Cory and his Mini-Me.

Lear quote: "I'm not going to wear the jewelry. It's girl stuff. I'm a BOY."

Ella quote: "Mommy, you not doing da ballet right. You have to spiiiiiinn." Apparently my years of ballet classes don't mean a thing.

Simple kindness

I found a comforter set in an ad yesterday that I really liked, for a good price, so I took the kiddies to Macy's today to go get it. I had to take both kids, which automatically makes my blood pressure rise simply because they can't stop fighting when they're in the car. When we got to Macy's, they went crazy, despite all of my careful yet gentle instructions and threats in the the car about staying next to me and not touching anything. They were crawling under displays, jumping on the beds, and using bed-in-a-bags for landing pads. I found what I was looking for in record time, and went to the register, where the sales lady was helping another woman with something that was apparently long and involved. They watched me struggle with keeping my darlings under control for a couple minutes, and the the woman being helped kindly said that her business can wait, and to go ahead and ring the young lady up. She was so nice! Usually, other people are wondering why I can't control my kids, or why I couldn't just spare everyone the trouble and do all of my shopping online (I considered it). Sometimes they're commenting under their breath to their friends or at best giving me a sympathetic half smile. But this lady actually let me go first and get out of there - and I really appreciated it. It's good to know that not everyone in the world has lost it's grip on kindness.

Lear quote: "Popcorn in the bathtub!" Lear's all-purpose answer to everything.

Ella quote: "I wanna watch Dowa Blowa on yo' teebee, mommy."

Lear the Builder

This is what I mean when I say that this boy will be an engineer. He made this Transformer out of blocks while I was in another part of the house folding laundry. I'm amazed that he figured out how to build this thing on two freestanding legs, and at the symmetry of it all. This kid is amazing!

Creative Use of Underwear

I only work for money two hours a week, at home, teaching flute lessons. This is what happens when my kids have to entertain themselves while I'm teaching. It might not be EVERY piece of underwear that they own (today is laundry day), but it's probably close. Sorry for the sideways pictures.

Lear quote: "I got in trouble in school today because I drew a swimming goggle factory on my assignment."

Ella quote: "My mouth can't do that." (Ella's excuse for not being able to pronounce a word I asked her to say.)

I forgot the video.

Lear's First Day of Kindergarten

I'm actually sad. I'm not looking forward to him coming home and asking me what certain words mean, or why naked women are so interesting, or something else like that. I know he's excited, and that he is more than ready to go out and learn. This boy can already read simple books all by himself, and he knows so many things that I don't remember knowing until I was older. I have to remember that I can't hold him back for my silly personal fears.

Lear quote: "Won't it be fun for you when Ella and I are both in school, Mommy? Then you'll have a break from yelling at us." They never remember the good times....

Ella quote: "I love giving you hugs and kisses, Mommy."