Capturing the Moment

Abby:

• Lots of friends have loose teeth or have recently lost their teeth.  Poor Abby got the late bloomer genes from both parents and doesn't even have a remotely might-be-wiggly-sometime-soon tooth.  A couple weeks ago, she was feeling really sad about it and was having a heart-to-heart with Roy.  He was being very understanding and sympathetic when she loudly declared, "But I've been waiting for a loose tooth ever since I heard about loose teeth!"
• We were talking recently about how lucky Abby is to have so many friends.  I had helped in her class the day before so I finally knew the names of all her classmates so I went through that list and she declared everyone either a best friend or a best, best friend, even Anthony who is afraid of girls (and every time she tells me that she says, "Can you believe it?!?  He's afraid of GIRLS!").  Then we went through the list of everyone else that I could think of: family members, church, the neighborhood, people we seem to run into at the park occasionally, etc.  Everyone was ranked either best friend or best, best friend.  "Wow!" she said when we were done.  "I have SO MANY friends!"  And here's the thing about Abby that I absolutely love.  She is is a loyal, loving friend who will always remember you.  I love this girl!

Sam:

• I wish I had a video camera constantly trained on my boy.  He says funny stuff all the time.  Sam has the same quality as Roy or driving you completely crazy but making you laugh so hard you can't be mad.  
• Sam picks up on funny facts and shares them at odd moments.  For example, tonight at dinner, Sam said, "Termites are insects."  Someday you might hear him say these other favorite facts: "Aliens don't exist."  "Monsters don't exist.  Only in the dark.  That's where monsters exist."  "Cows make milk.  I like cows."  Or while cuddling with Roy, "You have a big nose."  Or while sitting on my lap and quickly pushing on my stomach, "Your tummy makes funny noises."
• Sam has been in the throes of 3-year-old emotions lately.  He's had a lot going on so I can't really say these moments of tears that can go quickly to either buckets of tears or laughter are really a shock.  Luckily for him, he's done a good job with telling us he loves us more often.  Sam also enjoys a good "GROUP HUG!" even though he tells you after, while wiping off any kisses we managed to squeeze in there, "You're squishing me!"

Lydia:

• We have the following conversation every day.  I'm not kidding.  It's been going for probably 2-1/2 months now.  And yet it makes me laugh every time.  It starts within a minute of dropping Abby off for kindergarten:
• Lydia: Abby?
• Me: Abby's at school.
• Lydia: Oh, man!
• Then on the days we drop Sam off at preschool, we pick up the conversation again:
• Lydia: Abby?
• Me: Abby's at school.
• Lydia: Oh, man!  (Short pause)  Sam? (but when Lydia says Sam it comes out Ham...so funny)
• Me: Sam's at preschool.
• Lydia: Oh, man!  (Short pause)  Daddy?
• Me: Oh, man!  (Short pause)  Mommy?
• Me: I'm right here.
• Lydia: Oh, man!
• I play this funny game with Lydia as we are going up for bed and nap.  I say really slowly, "I....love...." and then both of us start pointing at each other "you, you, you, you, you!"  She already loves to get in the last word.  She has to slide in "you" once we get to her room.  I love this girl!