let them eat cake

This morning we went out for our Saturday morning bakery tradition. Before leaving, Caleb and I headed towards the bathroom. When I looked behind me, I saw Caleb holding out his finger to me sheepishly, having stuck his finger into a fudge torte on one of the open shelves. He didn't seem to know just what to do with himself now that he had made a drastic mistake, recognizable immediately even to him.

After going to the bathroom, Caleb had to tell the cake decorator that he had stuck his finger in the cake and that he was sorry and would like to buy it. Poor guy - he was so overwhelmed with fear and embarrassment...but she helped him through. He bought the cake for $13.00 out of his spending money (or Wilco money, as he would call it, as he likes to buy little $3 and $5 toys at Wilco Farm Store.) The lady asked him if he would like his name on it, and so we had Caleb, Emet, and Anna Ruth put on the cake in his choice of color (red). We then decided that it would be my birthday cake!

When we got home, Caleb told Jason, "Don't forget that I need to pay you money!" It was hardest for him to give up his five dollar bill. However, he has been a pretty good sport about it today despite having drained most of his spending money (which is an accumulation of birthday money, Christmas money and the like.)

We all just finished enjoying a slice of delicious fudge cake. It was an expensive lesson for him, but it certainly was tasty!

It has begun....

You know how you always wonder when things start? You think back on your life and ask, "At what point did I start to do this or that?"....well...

Tonight, our family was curled up on the couch watching Jane Austin's Pride and Predjudice. Out of nowhere Caleb said to me, "Mama? You know the one I like to look at is Lizzie." Startled, I asked, "Why do you like to look at Lizzie, Caleb?"

"Because she's nice to look at."

Well, there you go. Caleb - age 4 years 5 months and 15 days is officially noticing girls. I'm pretty sure that he isn't aware of what any of this means....yet.....

Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll take all the snuggles I can get

All three of my babies are sleeping. As it was nearing 5:30pm, I snuck upstairs to begin the waking process, so the nighttime routine would not drag on tonight. As I saw Caleb laying on the guest bed, curled into a ball sleeping, I realized what a rarity this is nowadays. Normally, he spends a while reading or chattering to himself in mama imposed "nap time", but rarely does he sleep.

Not wanting to miss a chance, I climbed up behind him and snuggled in close to my eldest son, now 4 years old. I ran my hands through his hair and traced the features of his face, holding him tightly. It struck me that someday in the not so distant future, I won't be able to do that at all. Soon, even, he'll be of that school age when a mama's hug isn't the best thing in the world anymore. My arms and my lap won't be the spot argued amongst siblings.

And so.....as 5:30 became 6pm, I snuggled next to Caleb....holding on to whatever snuggles I could get. As I got up, I asked Caleb if he needed a bit more time to wake up. He sleepily nodded yes. "I love you, KB", I told him. "I love you too", he said....and rolled onto his side to sleep some more.

How precious and fleeting are my moments with these babies. How I love them.....