gems

Probably the best part of hanging out with a three-and-a-half-year-old all day is the nuggets of unintentional delight that come out of her ridiculously sweet mouth.

Some recent observations/comments from Luciya:

"Mama, why are elbows called elbows?"

"Look at all the big clouds in he sky! That means my next birthday is coming up!"


{In the car, Mirabel asleep in her carseat}:
"Oh, look, Mirabel hears the music while she's sleeping - her little mouth is dancing!"

Mama: "Is your new preschool called Happy Days because you're happy there?"
Luciya: "Yes, and sometimes it's called Sad Days."
M: "Why is it called Sad Days?"
L: "Like when you eat too much food in your tummy and you're sad. So it's called Sad Days sometimes."


"Mama, I have a little beard but I'm not a daddy. It's a girl beard."

Mama: "How was school today?"
Luciyas: "I was sweaty."
M: "Why were you sweaty?"
L: "Because it was hard work."

"You want to hear the song about Mary? Okay. Mary had a wife and she fall down and bonked her head and it was blooding and she needs a hair Band-aid, the end."

the gnomes were lonely in summer

A while back I got Luciya a plastic swing, which we hung from the large branch of our apple tree in the back yard. Child loved it.

Then, one day a few weeks ago, we came home from a quick afternoon trip. And the whole branch had fallen down. There was no warning - no creaking in the boughs, no crazy raccoon family gnawing away for days... John had actually swung like a monkey from this branch to make sure Luciya's little swing would hold.

And then it was gone.

So, naturally, we looked to the wisdom of the ancients to help us in our next step. I believe it was Confucius who said, "When life gives you fallen tree branches, make little gnome fortresses."

So, we did.

joy: a message from luciya

Bring joy to people whenever you can.

food is good for you: a message from luciya

Milk. It does a body good.


You should always try everything once.


You may not like it at first.


It's okay if some gets on your clothes.


Hmmm, what else.

Cheerios are a good snack.


I always make sure I didn't miss anything.

A little after-dinner apple juice always hits the spot.


Afterwards, don't forget to clean up!

Then you'll get to go outside and play.