Precious Moments

There were more than a few precious moments worth remembering from yesterday and today.

Yesterday we took my car to Sears for an oil change and decided to wander the mall until it was done. There was no line to see Santa so I jumped at the opputunity to get a picture of the kids with the jolly old elf. Will gladly climbed on his lap and smiled. Jon sat on the other leg, but had a worried look on his face. Maddie and Ben kept there distance from the big stranger, but they stayed close enough for a picture. Luckily there was no line, because the photographer needed some time and a whole lot of patience. The kids never cried or screamed, but Ben kept stumbling over the big black boots, Jon kept trying to climb down, Maddie lifted her shirt over her head and showed her tummy, then Ben pulled his pants down. All this time, the photographer and helper are trying to get the grumpy triplets to grin just a little, and Will has a fake smile plastered all the way from ear to ear. It was a fun experience, and the picture is going in the Santa scrapbook.

The kids have been excited to watch the wildlife in my parents' yard. From the honking geese flying overhead, to the hundreds of ducks warming on the sunny lawn, and the little chickadees eating the birdseed, the kids are thrilled to point out the birds. "DUCK!!! Quack-quack!" is said more often than "Mamma," and it was sweet to hear them pointing to the "kicka-gee's" chattering in the branches. Maddie did a nearly perfect imitation of Granddad when she dropped her animal cracker to shout "WOW! Looka DAT!" as a large heron swooped over the lawn. The squirrel who keeps trying to get the sunflower seeds and peanuts from the birdfeeders keeps popping up. Jon or Ben is often the first to spot it and will stand on the kitchen chair, point at the squirrel and yell "Sull!" I assume he is trying to say squirrel, but the consonants aren't coming forth yet.

Nothing got more applause than the deer that raced through the yard and stopped to peer in the kitchen window at the kids. It stood next to the porch just looking at them as they excitedly pointed and gasped, eyes wide as saucers and mouths gaping in childish surprise. I called Mom in to come see it, and just as she got the camera out, it dashed away. The kids looked out the window all day yelling "Dee!" and pointing just as they had when it was actually there.

Jon has a new phrase that is defining his first few weeks as a two-year old. Darn it, though, it is still cute. I will say, "Come on Jon, let's get a new diaper." He will turn, run the other way, shouting "NO WAAAY!" When one of the other kids asks for the toy he is holding, "NO WAAAY!" When I ask if he is sleepy, "NO WAAAY!" He always adds a little giggle, knowing, I'm sure, that his mamma is chuckling on the inside. . . .for now.