Obedience

I would be a rich woman if I had a dollar for every time I've told my kids, "I don't want arguments; I want obedience."

Yesterday, I was sitting on the floor in the boys' room chatting with Jubal, when my very literal toddler, Tell, began to inform me of something that was apparently quite crucial to his little world. I listened for a minute to him unsuccessfully attempt to wrap his tongue around the thoughts bouncing around in his mind. I then laughingly told him, "Well, spit it out." ...........And so he spat.

I've decided that perhaps I don't always want my commands carried out exactly.

(This video of Tell trying to keep Nolan playing on the trampoline with him has nothing to do with this post, but I just love the drama of toddlerhood and wanted to share.)

Woodland Ballet

The floor of my side wood is once again sprinkled with Lady Slippers. I have looked forward to the arrival of these protected flowers each spring since I first discovered them 12 years ago at our new home. Back then, there were only a few delicate blooms and a toddler named Jubal who liked to pick them for his mother. Well, they survived that toddler and the next three. Today I took Tell out to look at them and counted over 40 plants with 4 already blossoming. The first movement is complete and I await the completion of the Creator's Woodland Ballet, accompanied by a symphony of songbirds.