Driving along, listening to a really pretty classical song on the radio, Laine says, "Mommy, this song tickles my heart! Does it tickle yours?"
We went ice skating a couple of weeks ago. Hard to tell from the pictures who had more fun. Walking out, Laine was explaining to us that her feet felt very "weak" (she has really big ears - she's heard a lot of talk about my broken and recovering foot), "and then there was a -- POP -- and THEN...my FOOT had a headache!!" hard to convey all of her very dramatic inflection in writing - try to imagine.
I was pointing out several flocks of geese flying in formation above our heads. "Look at those birds, Lainey," I said. "Aren't they pretty? I wonder if they're going somewhere warm for the winter?" "Mom," she said, looking up at me, and then with plenty of emphasis, "it's called mi-gra-tion."
Thinking about Christmas coming up, she told me one day, "What I
don't want for Christmas from my friends is a hot dog. Or...some snow. Or a fish...or a calf. Wait. I do want a calf." Good to know. I
was thinking of getting her a package of hot dogs for Christmas, so lucky thing she gave me plenty of time to think of something else!
After getting some cheesy fake watch in a kids meal, she said, "This watch really fits my hand waist." I presume she was referring to her wrist, which is kind of the waist of a hand. I like it. Creative.
Laine started the conversation this way: "Mom. Nana and David have been away from us for a really long time. When are they coming back?" This led to a little discussion, obviously, about when and how we would see Nana (my mom) and David (my missionary brother) again. Laine continued: "When David comes home, let's surprise him with a big birthday cake! When Nana comes home and is res-sur-rec-ted, we'll have
such a big party!!!" Amen. She went on to list all of the members of our family who would come, finishing with, "Ben, and Dana! (pause) and
maybe their little dog baby."
and just for a little balance, Romney says things I love too, he just is a couple of years verbosity of his sister. here are some of Romney's classic and wonderful lines that just melt: "day doe (thank you) Mommy!" "I love you, too." (sounds a little more like a tax form - "Dub behind the yew too") "um, sure! Sure, Mommy!" I know it's not the same without hearing it from his own mouth, but trust me. they're good, especially if they're directed at you. AND, breakthrough, he has finally learned to give kisses (he used to just give you his cheek when you asked for a kiss.) golden.
beginning chronologically, laine's preschool Christmas program - particularly watching her swing dancing and singing "Navidad Rock" followed by almost endless repeat performances because I got such a kick out of it! anyone who has seen the hip-shaking rendition of "ven a mi casa, ven a mi casa, Frosty, por favor" will agree that it's worth seeing at least twice...and maybe more. this once expressive baby is now a very expressive preschooler, and her expression is worth seeing up close (just click on it, grandma.)
so, what do you call a hurricane in the snow? it did turn ugly for a minute in between the screaming "my hands are frozen" stage and the hot chocolate in the lodge stage. luckily, hot chocolate has serious magic powers and can easily cure what ails a 4 year old. it's beautiful, and skiing lives to see another day!
"Dear Santa, I really wanted a dolly but
since I don't have a sled then I really want one. Please get it." hopefully Santa won't regret bringing her what she asked for. this girl has no fear! backwards, forwards, sideways, upside down, rightside up, stand up, sit down, you name it, she tried it. she loved it.
their new puppy, molly, who sadly has no picture, only a hilarious video that I don't know how to upload. so just imagine this hyper little puppy bouncing all over, lainey mostly ecstatic but sometimes uncertain, and romney hovering on the cusp between laughing and crying. laine's requests for a pet are now more frequent although they usually subside a little after a visit to molly. coincidentally, our neighbor gave the kids a gigantic stuffed dog which lainey promptly named lola, after the name molly didn't get. so now, we tell lainey she has a dog already and it doesn't even poop in our yard! the perfect pet.
love it, 
especially with my 
family. here are some of my wonderful people, tearing it up at an undisclosed but very fine location. isn't it gorgeous? 
