Toddler Twin Prayer

This one is for the family record, because it cracks us up, every time it happens--which is (almost) daily.

We have been teaching our twins to say prayers--at mealtimes, at bedtime, and so forth. We call on one of them to say the prayer, and then we slowly say the words, after which Isaac or Madeline repeats them.

Inevitably, one of two things occurs during the prayer.

First, the unselected twin chimes in, and then the twins say the prayer in unison, with big smiles on their faces. At the end, we all cheer, and the twins giggle.

But second, and more frequently, the unselected twin chimes in, and the following occurs:

The twin who is saying the prayer immediately interrupts the prayer and shouts, "No!" Then that sweet little "praying" twin reaches out and smacks--or hits--or pushes the other twin.

The other twin then screeches and pushes the "praying" twin right back.

The smacking--hitting--pushing is repeated on both sides.

The twins begin to brawl and wail, right there, during the prayer.

The reverent, peaceful moment is gone, and after Mom wrestles the duo apart, we are left with two sad and injured toddlers.

I have concluded that lessons in reverence may wait another year or two. Until then, we may just aim for prayers that don't end in bloodshed.

Saying Goodbye

In preparation for our move, we are saying farewell to several pieces of furniture.

This table & chairs is one of them.

Last week, a couple of college students came to pick it up. They were looking forward to furnishing their new apartment.

To my astonishment, the departure of this table caused Clara to dissolve into hysterical sobs. "I LOVE that table," she said through bursts of tears.

It took a while to calm her down, and lots of reassurance from Mom & Dad.

And then it hit me.

Clara has spent hours upon hours at this table--eating, playing games, having family time, doing homework, talking with friends, coloring numerous pictures, and creating countless objets d'art.

This table represents big part of her childhood. A very happy part. And now it's gone.

We're going to say goodbye to so many other things, places, and people in the next few weeks. It's going to hurt, and I'm sure there will be many tears. We'll be leaving a large chunk of our hearts behind.

But thankfully, the memories we'll be taking with us.

Ballerina Girl

Emma performed in her spring recital last weekend.

She did beautifully.

I have come to believe, in the last few months, that she has been bit by the ballet bug. On an hourly basis, I seem to find her leaping, pirouetting, chasse-ing, and jumping around the house.

Like mother, like daughter.

Her New Life

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=bd163ca6e9aa3210VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD&locale=0