Kids say the Darndest Things

My kids are a constant source of entertainment and amusement for me. I'm never quite sure what will come out of their mouths. I have found myself in grocery store lineups, restaurants, church etc., when all of a sudden something comes spewing out that shocks me to embarrassed silence, has me laughing so hard I can't stop or causes me to smile and my heart to warm. Here are a few of those moments.

Benen, my three-and-a-half year old, looked my good friend in the eye and said, "You got nipples." We were sitting in a restaurant with my parents, brother and good friends. I almost spewed my water across the table. I was desperately trying to deny what he said while my frantic brain scrambled for an excuse. After many questions, to which he insistently and loudly repeated himself, I finally figured out what he was saying. My friend had a cold and he was trying to say, "You've got the sniffles."

Benen comes running to the bottom of the stairs and yells, "Mom! Connor needs you!" Apparently my five year old thought he needed my assistance in the bathroom. I yelled back, "Connor is five and he's more than capable of wiping himself!" What do I hear? I hear Benen saying, "Connor, you're five and more than capable of wiping yourself!"

We led worship in church on Sunday and I had just sat down when the children were called to the front. The pastor was talking about words and how sometimes bad words can hurt people. Then he asks, "Do you ever say bad words?" Without missing a beat, Connor pipes up, "I don't, but my mom does!"

My youngest son, Kolten, is 19 months. He took five steps tonight....and I missed it. That'll teach me not to grocery shop!

I was tucking my oldest boy into bed when he tearfully told me he was sad that his dad had to go to work the next morning. I reminded him that dad goes to work every morning. He said he wanted his dad to stay home instead and I asked him why. His response was, "Dad plays with us in the mornings and all you really like to do is sleep." He said it really sweetly, while one hand patted my cheek. And in my defense, I only sleep until maybe 8:30, 8:45 at the latest. I just am NOT a morning person. So I'm sleepy until that first cup of coffee hits my system.

Well, those are a few moments in the last little while that stood out to me. There are many more, but it's late and I need to get to bed. Something tells me there will be two little bodies scrambling onto my bed at some ungodly hour, earnest eyes staring at me, begging me to get them a bowl of Rice Krispies. And since I have to feed them to keep them alive, I'll drag my sluggish butt out of bed, pour the cereal and milk and then wait while the coffee maker drips me a nice, strong espresso!