Leif's prayers

Leif has learned the art of praying out loud anytime, anywhere, from Charles and me. It's just a habit. We thank God for good things, and in a crisis are praying out loud almost the entire time. (who better to talk to?) Leif has truly embraced talking to Jesus about everything. A few months ago in the car I told Leif I had lost my brain. I heard him imploring God to get me my brain back.

A bad habit I'm in is when changing the rabbit tray quickly (like when company is about to arrive) I throw (well, place) the dirty rabbit tray in the garage, shut the door and forget about it.

Gordy (the culprit)

Yesterday, we arrived home, and went through the garage to go inside. A dirty rabbit tray was laying near our path. I hear Leif say, "There’s a lot of rabbit poop there. Mommy, did you see all this rabbit poop? (and then, very serious) Jesus, why did you send us rabbit poop?”

I made sure I took the tray out and washed it.

Dear Mommy

Leif read the label on my new hair brush.
It says, "Dear Mommy. Wash your hair and bwush with me. Goodbye."

Oh Captain, my Captain!

Marina at sunset
by Mari Ann

Charles and I recently brought the kids up to New Jersey for a visit. Traveling with Leif was endlessly entertaining. Our first stop was at my in-law's condo in Forked River. We arrived late in the evening, a little past the boy's bedtime, and put them to bed as quickly as possible. Leif awoke early the next morning, and looked out at the marina. "Look at all that water!" he exclaimed, "There must have been a flood!"

My in-laws took us sailing, and Charles was feeling sick and couldn't go. Knowing that I would probably end up holding Owen most of the sail, I wanted to make sure Leif understood that sailing was serious business and he had to listen to his grandparent's instructions. So, I explained that Papa was the Captain, and he was in charge, and would tell us what to do, and we must listen to him.

Leif & MyMy

However, the next time we got into the car, Leif announced that HE was the captain. So I asked, "Then who is daddy?" Leif said, "Daddy is just the driver. I tell him what to do." So, Leif earned the title, "Oh Captain, my Captain", and he still pulls the captain thing on me. Today getting in the car I told him to sit down and buckle his seatbelt, and he said to me, "I'm the Captain. I know what to do. Don't tell me what to do." You've just got to love 3 years olds.

Leif's two wonderful questions while sailing:
1) After tacking, he calmly asks me: "Are we going to sink now?"
2) Can we walk back?

In Need of Socialization

Setting: Driving home from the YMCA where Leif had spent time in childcare.

 Leif: A boy was saying mean things to me.

 Me: Oh Leif, that's terrible. Did you tell him not to be mean to you? 

 Leif: No

Me: Well, next time someone is mean to you, you tell them to be 

nice and if they continue, you tell someone in charge. 

Leif: Okay

Me: What kind of things was he saying?

Leif: He was saying things like- "Stop telling me what to do, you're not my mommy".

Me: Leif, were you telling him what to do?

Leif: Well, yes!