Out of the Mouths of Babes: What Grade Are You In?

Today after playing two games of soccer in 92 degree heat: Connor: Mommy, I’m sweatering! Me: Sweatering? Connor: You know, Mommy, I’m very hot! Ryan, in his best big brother voice: Con-nor, the word is swel-ter-ing! Connor: Right! Sweatering!
“Gandma, we moobin,” announced Connor to my Mom at dinner tonight. “You are?” chuckled Grandma. “Wes, to a house wib a parm!” (Translation: to a house with a farm). We have often joked that we are raising two little farm boys in a town home in Northern Virginia, but plans to move to a farm…
There is a bridge on the road to my parents’ home in New Jersey. Ten years ago, it washed out in a Spring flood. It was replaced with a temporary bridge… that has stood in that spot for the ten years since. Recently, construction for a new permanent bridge was begun. It is being funded…
Driving home from swimming lessons today, Connor announced he was starting a new collection. Now, in our family, this is by no means an outrageous announcement; we are a family of collectors. And so, without much thought, I asked, “What kind of collection?”“A pet collection, Mommy!,” came the excited answer. “Connor,” I said, “You already…
This morning I made an off-handed comment to Patrick that the skirt and top I had chosen to wear to church looked better on me last year. Ryan was standing nearby and chimed in with his usual, “Why?” Not wanting to get into a discussion of body image with my 7-year-old son, I replied, “They…
Connor celebrated his seventh birthday on Friday. Friday morning Connor ran excitedly into our room, jumping on the bed with a big Good morning! Patrick responded with a Good morning, birthday boy! Do you feel different at seven? Yes, replied Connor, my FEET are FASTER and my LEGS are LONGER! They grew during the night!…