Lucy the hostess

Lucy, you just don't stop surprising me!

We had a fun guest this week from Mexico staying with us.  She slept in your bed and you slept with me.  You charmed her immediately, and included her in everything.

Decked out in Mexico accessories, thanks to our guest

We had John, Rachel and Abby over for dinner with her on Tuesday.  You were so excited to have so many friends here.  You kept us entertained!  As we talked around the table after dinner, you brought over a cake you'd made and announced that it was Paty's birthday.  We all sang and she blew out her candles with gusto.  Then you reverently brought over your purple play flag and announced that it was time for the pledge, and that John would have the honor of holding the flag.  Then you called out, "RIGHT hand to the RED wall!  Now over your heart.  I pledge allegiance..." and led all us adults in the pledge.  You know every word.  Later we did it yet again, with Paty, the honored guest, holding the flag.

We just got back from a riverboat ride, where you chatted with the whole all-adult group and danced the night away on the balcony as we watched the city float by.  It was so special!

This picture just kills me!  A group of Mexican exchange students, NKU professors, and at the helm?  Lucy Joy.

One of my favorite things was that when you were bunking in with me, I'd read for a few minutes before I turned off the light.  You'd cozy up to "share my pillow" and grab a book, too.  We'd read companionably for a bit, and then I'd say it was time to go to sleep.  I'd fold back the top right corner of my page so I could find it, and every night, you'd carefully fold back the top right corner of your page, too.

reports

I don't know where my 3 year old heard about reports.

One night, while tucking her in, I said I was going to pray.  "Wait," she replied, "first I have to make a report."   Then she did:  "The one who is going to pray is my Mamma.  She is lovely to me and silly and she is special.  And she used mad words when I didn't listen in the store.  And she's the one who's going to pray."

I felt so good, then not so good, then pretty good about it.  And every night since, we make reports, or more like elaborate introductions before the other one prays.  It can be fun, and kind of telling, because she chooses to air my dirty laundry, too.  But it's a nice way to say kind words over each other at the end of the day.  I love it!

Then we sing 3 songs.  Which she has to make a report about before we start.

So, three daily reports.  One introducing her, one introducing me, and one listing our songs (which are always the same).  She's such a funny kiddo.

she says

She says:

• Hat with no car!  (which is "car with no hat," which is a convertable)
• No talking without eating!  (which means "don't talk with your mouth full")
• Weenies!  (which is "Wendy's)
• Engine turtles (Ninja Turtles)
• Are we just going to talk about it? (desperately, as we march to the car or a bathroom for a spanking)
• My thoughts are... (as she chimes in with her opinion--it's very funny to hear from such a little one)
• Ladies and Gentlemen, explaining poodles. (I don't even know.)
• Poopy! (Just, a lot.  All the time.  It's always funny.)

• I was looking for pennies and nickles and diamonds.
• Who was that guy going to Nineveh?  (She can remember Nineveh, but not the name Jonah?)
• Who was that guy in the tree?  Oh yeah, Ikea.  (Zacchaeus)
• I'm a student?!  (Full of surprise and wonder, when I referred to her as my little student during the second week of preschool.)  "I'm a student!  Yeah, yeah, yeah!  I finally AM a STUdent!"

bubbles

A little happy for you today.

Brought to you by my Joy Belle.