Things on my mind. . .

Lots of thoughts rattling around this morning, so to be somewhat coherent, I'm just going to give you a list. . .
1. My cousin passed away today. He was too young, but aren't we all? He suffered way more than is understandable. . .
2. My kids' babysitter is the world's best babysitter! I'm afraid that's all I can tell you, or she would be bombarded by others wanting her to keep their kids. Seriously. Since it was Kyler's birthday, I picked him up early from school. He then asked me to drop him off at the baby sitter's house (that he goes to EVERY day). When we got there, she had baked a birthday cake just for him. My daughter has never cried when I've left her at the babysitter's house. I'm actually doing her a disservice by calling her the babysitter. We truly consider her to be family.
3. Two-year-olds are extremely impulsive. This was reiterated this morning when Kady got one of the two goodie bags that were left over from the birthday party. Inside was a package of gum. I walked in the living room to see her squatted down, surrounded by goodie bag contents and gum wrappers. She yelled, "Hide!" and took off with her remaining gum sticks. . .Not exactly stealth-like.
4. It sometimes continues. Kyle came to Kyler's party. He comes from a large family. Remember when you HAD to eat the candy/cookies/etc., to keep your brother/sister from getting it? No? Maybe that just happened in my family. Anyway, Kyle rode to the party with my parents. He managed to eat all the goodies before he got home. . .except the gum. Mom said she told him that he could share that with his brothers and sisters. . .He managed to get all the gum in his mouth before he got home. : ) (Jenn, I hope you don't get mad! I thought it was hilarious!)
5. When a two-year-old has gum, all moms morph into Kate from Jon and Kate plus Eight (and I've only seen a couple of episodes of that show, but isn't it hilarious!).
6. Life is precious! Let the two-year-old chew gum, blow bubbles, and run around outside despite the dirty dishes in the sink.
7. It's book order time again. I love books. All. Books. In celebration of improved reading (YEA, US!), I want to know your favorite kid's book. Here are a few of ours. (Ahem. . .pretend you don't know where I, um, borrowed these pictures from.)

a. (above) Barney says, "Night Night" originally came from a garage sale. Our copy is falling apart, but each of the kids has loved it around two years of age.

b. (below) Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day is one of my all-time favorite books. This should be mandatory reading for adults! c. (above) Freckleface Strawberry. Yes, this is written by THE Julianne Moore. It's really, really good! It deals with freckles, which when I way a kid, were so yucky. Since I didn't want my kids to feel the same way, I bought this book. I'm really glad I did.

d. (below) Junie B. Jones entire series. Yes, she's sometimes rude and impudent, but she's funny and well-written.e. (above) Max Lucado's Just in Case you Ever Wonder. The kids think it's ok, but I have to keep from crying every time I read it!

YOUR TURN! Please tell me your favorite books for kids. Thank you!