Perfectly precious

Today, as the older boys were playing Whack-a-mole with Elijah, Charlton was sitting by them and looking very curiously at what they were doing. Later, when the boys were done with the game, and had left their game pieces on the floor, I see Charlton taking the pretend hammer and trying to hit the game just like the boys had done earlier. He tried a few times, and then gave up by putting it in his mouth, and then putting the whole game in his mouth, at least he tried. It was really funny. I was amazed that he had observed them so attentively and then reproduce what he had seen.

James had broken a glass earlier today, and we all know that it doesn't matter how much you vacuum or mop, there will always be small pieces left somewhere in the floor. So, it was no surprise that later tonight Gillian screamed at having felt a piece of glass in her foot. Elijah took care of it, and she stopped crying. Meanwhile, James comes to me and asks if he could share his candy with Gillian since she isn't feeling well. Upon hearing that, Jefferson also offered his candy to her. As James gives the candy to Gillian, he says to her that from now on he'll call her 'sweetheart', because she is sweet. I love it when my boys are kind to their sister; it will help them learn how to be kind and gentle with their girlfriends and wives.
Tonight, as Elijah was teaching about the Articles of Faith during our Family Home Evening and Gillian was reciting them effortlessly, James, who was sitting next to me at the time, whispers in my ear, saying: "Isn't Gillian perfect!" I kissed him and told him that he was my precious little boy, and that he was perfect to me as well. For family prayer, James didn't forget to thank Heavenly Father for helping Gillian's foot. How I love James and how much he teaches me!

My neighbor told me the other day that I could have a go at her roses if I wanted any. I like having flowers in my house at all times, so I buy them. But to have roses from a garden, that is a special treat. Today, Gillian and I went out and cut a few. They are so beautiful and my house smells like a garden.

Shoes, Polka Dots and Roses

Wednesday is playgroup day and James looks forward to playing with his friends as much as his mom looks forward to talking to her friends. Unfortunately, I never take pictures of him going crazy with his friends, but I have ample opportunity to take pictures of Charlton, since he travels very little distances at the moment and even that with much calmness. Yesterday, I couldn't let go of this chance. Next to my 8 month old Charlton was laying sweetly a two month old baby, Kira, the daughter of one of my friends. Charlton sure has grown fast, but then again I don't remember him being that little when he was born. We, moms, forget so quickly.
After playgroup, we went to pick up Gillian, and then I told the boys that Gillian and I were going shoe shopping, and that because I had spent my morning with them, they couldn't complain. While Gillian and I had fun looking and trying different kinds of shoes, the boys were playing with the benches (where customers sit to try shoes on) and pretending they were in their tanks fighting each other. I couldn't help smiling. Boys will be boys. I had a great time with Gillian; she is growing up and starting to care about her clothes and shoes. We each bought two pairs, and promised each other to come back for some more later. I should have taken a picture of our smiley faces while trying shoes on, but instead I took some pictures of my kids after we got back. They just looked so happy and handsome.
Most of you know I love anything with polka dots. As a result, I have many polka dot dresses and blouses. The funniest thing happens every time I wear any of them. Charlton immediately reaches out to grab me. I didn't pay attention to it initially, but the more he would do it, the more I realized it that he actually wanted to grab the dots and "eat" them. Now, I just bring myself close to him so he can grab the polka dots and I, in return, "eat" him. Yummy cheeks!


Today, as I was coming back home after running few errands, I was driving through some pretty neighborhoods close to my house. I couldn't help notice that almost every house had gorgeous roses in their yards. April and May are the best months here in California for pretty roses. I had to take some pictures, and here are few of them:


I love the many colors of these roses. However, I've a special place for the yellow ones. My father planted them in our garden and I grew up always cutting roses and putting them in bouquet for each of our rooms. They had the most delicious aroma, and the whole house would smell like a garden. We don't have any roses in our yard here in California, but who knows, when all my kids go to school next year, I will be bored and start gardening. That, or I'll just ask Elijah to plant some just to make his wife happy.