I've Got The Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down In My Heart

Yesterday, the kids sat in with the adults during Sunday morning church service. As our pastor began his message, he asked us, "What is it that robs you of your joy?" As I mentally started a joy~robbing checklist of my own, Lexi leaned over to me and said, "Doing the dishwasher". In complete serious. I almost laughed out loud because "doing the dishwasher" entails rotating the unloading of the top rack, bottom rack, silverware basket with her brother and sister. This is tough stuff for a six year old;) Despite the problems, the worries, and the heavy burdens that threaten to rob me of my joy, I can always find a reason to smile when I'm with this precious gift from God. She makes me laugh. And if you're worried that she's walking around with a long face because she's just been asked to unload her part of the dishwasher again, don't be. This girl is resilient, even in the aftermath of her joy~robbing dishwasher duties. Just like we should be, too.

Bubblicious

My 6 year old is a fanatic gum chewer. I'm not sure when her obsession began but whenever there is gum in the house her favorite question becomes, "Can I have a piece of gum?" Yesterday to celebrate her 100th day of school, each of the students in her class were asked to bring in 100 pieces of his/her favorite snack. What did Lexi choose to bring? You guessed it. Gum. 100 cherry~lime, tangerine~blueberry, strawberry~citrus, and cool mint individually wrapped pieces. The students pooled their treats into some sort of 100 day soup and each came home with a bag of goodies. Lexi grabbed her bag to snack on at Austin's game today and on the way home, Austin caught her enjoying her umpteenth piece of gum. "Lexi," he said (being the good big brother that he is;) "how may pieces of gum have you had?" Without missing a beat, she replied, "You don't need to know." Still not willing to miss out on an opportunity to nark on his little sis, Austin shot back with, "No, but mom does".

La Cucaracha, La Cucaracha

As I'm rushing around trying to oversee the morning chaos that is uniforms, hairdo's, lunches, backpacks, and breakfasts Audrey turns to me and says, "Why do they only have jumping beans in Mexico?" Before I can tear my focus away from the pb&j's I'm assembling, she answers her own question with, "maybe 'cuz they have a lot of music down there." And because she seemed satisfied with her answer, I agreed 100 percent. *cue fiesta music*

It's A Barbie World

Listening to the girls play Barbies. Where do they come up with this stuff!?!?! Crack.me.up.

Audrey's Ken~ I gotta find a girl who loves me for who I am and not for the $100 I have.
Audrey's Ken~ Alright, alright, I'll marry one of you.... I just gotta do enney~meeny~miney~mo.

Lexi's Barbie~ I'm gonna get married, too.
Audrey's Barbie~ Who are you going to marry?
Lexi's Barbie~ Well, there's no one else to marry, so I guess I'll have to marry my dad.

Audrey to Lexi~ Can you make some of your girls jealous because she just brought Ken? (to prom)
Audrey's Barbie~ And look, you have a pimple and I don't.