Talking to a duck

This duck came to seeking donations. She was alone, seemingly friendless. My little princess immediately befriends her and begins discussing the ducks needs and choices.
She asked her about her eggs and where her ducklings dad was. She told the duck the dad needed to watch the babies and that there was a nice pond down there where this mother duck could teach her babies to swim. She asked about her food sources and told her we didn't have anything.
The duck came very close hoping all of this talk would end in a handout, but despaired when Ellie finished, turning and waddling away. Ellie said, "she just waddles that's all!"

Looking to the Temple

I never thought that not being able to use babysitters to watch my kids while I attend the temple to be a blessing.
I do miss attending with my husband. I do feel it would be easier to just leave the children in another's care, but I have also found that my children have a greater love of the temple now then they have ever had before. Temple night is a time of happiness and all hurrying to dress in better clothes so they might feel the spirit better. They each look forward to the time we spend quiet in the temple atrium as well as visiting the new visitors center. Each fountain is to be visited, the cornerstone, and the baptistry entrance. There are flowers that need to be smelled. There are benches that need to be sat upon. There are brides and grooms to watch as they pose for pictures.
I am thankful for this opportunity to share my love of the temple with my children. I am thankful for the peace we feel with each other when we are there. I am thankful for a Father in Heaven who guides me and sends blessing I need but am not aware that I need.

Cows

My cows, she calls them. When we go out to care for the animals she loves to pick grass and feed them through the fence. She screams and jumps back if their rough tongues touch her fingers. Lately she has taken the precaution of dropping the grass as soon as they reach out for it. The cows don't seem to mind much.

Where does toe jam come from?

From a freshly uses lollipop stick of course. I guess getting his face, shirt and hands all sticky was not enough. He needed to feel it between the toes. Something deep going on in that brain of his.

Spy

What do parents do after they send their children to bed?
Eat chocolates, ice cream, and watch movies according to some.

Tonight I caught a spy, I'm afraid he was bitterly disappointed to find laundry, straightening house and rocking babies to be the only activities.

If only he would report how boring it all is to the rest of his cronies so I can at last get to eating chocolates and all the rest of the fun.

Ride a Cock-horse

Does he look like a happy boy? He is! The whole way to Bamberry Cross he was like this. No complaints of saddle sores or anything. Ladies were few, but he did not mind.
We had music a plenty in his laugh.

Firsts

His first corn on the cob. At first he was apprehensive but after a few tentative bites he really got into it, gnawing, chewing and sucking. He made good use of his four teeth, soon to be six teeth. He did not want to let go of it once it had become desirable.