Thankful girl

"Thank you, sun, for lighting up the world so I can see my painting!"

"Our car goes up, thank you, mommy for shoveling!"

I wish I had a photo of the us in the pool, but I had my hands full with both kids--E's first time swimming. He was skeptical at first but soon was splashing up a storm with his big sis! Then H got mad at me because I wouldn't let her put on her boots right before this picture. Win some, lose some. #peacefulmama #nuggetunited

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Car talk

H: What singer is this?

M: Adele

H: What singer is the other one?

M: Refina Spektor

H: Reginaspektor! [laughs] What's her second name?

M: Spektor. Her first name is Regina. Just like your first name is Hope and your last name is Barker.

H: Oh.

M: What's baby brothers first name?

H: Bay.

....

Later:

M: What's my second name?

H: Mommy.

H is getting really good at writing her name

Overheard during bathtime play

"I don't know how to talk Spanish, so I just have one black eye."

"I'll call someone's mom because they're not being a good listener."

"Don't forget to eat this hot chocolate before you go swimming!"

"That's me farting."

"I'm just naked because I'm taking a bath here."

An often overlooked benefit of having little ones is the almost daily reminder to live in the moment and not take life too seriously. Running errands with H this morning was filled with unexpected moments of joy and wonder: her amazement at the mannequins in Target ("They don't have any faces, mommy! Look at those! That one's running, mommy!"), the wild shrieks and laughter caused by puddle jumping, an impromptu dance party outside the Corner Bakery on City Line (with lots of bemused smiles from patrons and passers by), and the mix of terror/excitement over using a book drop at the library for the first time. Even an ordinary bagel is fun in her eyes: "it's a sailboat, see the window for the people to look out?" I need to channel her perspective more often.

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In case you couldn't hear her from your far-flung location

H wants a cheese sandwich.

Melting mommy's heart

Every night that I tuck H in, I say, "Remember, to fall asleep you do three things: close your eyes, breathe deep and think of your favorite things." Lots of times she tells me what she's going to think about: candy or pancakes or swimming or books. Tonight when I asked, she said, "You." #thesearethetimesthatmeltmomshearts #sweetdreamssunshine #illtrytorememberthisafterquestion723tomorrow On January 07, 2016 at 07:32PM

Where does she hear this stuff?

"It's a fine upper class hat."

Uh oh...

M: Hope, did you see where I put my phone?
H: Maybe you put it in the stove.

Important Question

Inquiring minds want to know:

"After next Christmas is there another one?"

Just stylin' at the playground.

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