Wednesday, February 25, 2015

The Rose-berry Bush

Last week I was tidying up the girls' room when I looked out the window and saw this:

 At first I thought, "I didn't know we had a holly bush there." Then I looked closer:

I burst out laughing. One of my children had decorated the thorns of the rosebush with berries collected from the bush by the front door. Obviously, this was the work of Annabel.

I went through the next few days telling everyone and getting a spark of delight every time I glanced at our new "rose-berry" bush. What creativity! What fun! That Annabel is a special girl!

But the story did not end there.

When I finally got around to complimenting Annabel on her artistic effort, she said, "It wasn't me. It was Alexander's idea. But he let me help."

I was floored. This was not Alexander's style, I thought. Then I remembered that, as recent incidents have pointed out to me, I may not actually know my son that well. How fantastic to learn that he has rose-berry bushes inside of him! How thoughtful of him to cover the sharp thorns with squishy-bright berries.

Once again, I am reminded that the surprises my children have in store for me will never end. I hope there are more like this one.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

20 Questions

Last night we introduced the kids to the game of 20 Questions. Here's a sample of our family fun:

ME: Are you man-made?

ALEXANDER: Yes.

ME: Are you bigger than this pillow?

ALEXANDER: I can be.

MICHIEL: Are you a toy?

ALEXANDER: Yes.

ME: Are you many different colors?

ALEXANDER: Yes.

MICHIEL: Oh, I know. Do you originally come from Denmark?

ALEXANDER: Yes.

ANNABEL: (running into the room and jumping up and down) Oh! Oh! I know it! I know it! Are you a peacock?

ALEXANDER: Sheesh, Annabel. It's Legos!

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Do You Do Kissing?

I'm rather smitten with my middle child right now. She is such a delightful creature.

The other day I let her watch a bit of Downton Abbey with me. There was a kissing scene. Afterwards she told me about how some kids do kissing at school.

"But only when the teacher isn't looking," she informed me.

"Oh?" I said. "Kids do kissing?"

"Yeah, they hide so the teacher can't see."

"Hmm." And then, as casually as I could manage: "Do you do kissing too?"

"No, no. Not me."

"Alexander, did they do kissing when you went to school there?"

Look of horror. "Are you crazy?"

"So, Annabel, have you ever kissed anyone? Besides family."

"No, no, no. Well, yes. I kissed Cade." (A boy at her school.)

"What was it like?"

"His lips were wet. And they stayed wet for a long time."

"Were you kissing him for a long time?"

"No, but I could just see that they were wet."

We'll see if she has the same observations about kissing when she's 15. If she'll still talk to me about it.