Monday's highlights

Monday started off with breakfast, family scripture study, and lots of cleaning.  I was enjoying the cleaning so much that I nearly forgot about Mei Li's princess ballet camp, which she was fifteen minutes late to.

Mei Li danced, Mi Na napped, and Stephen and I played in the basement together.  We played motorcycles and then we pretended we were flying on a plane to De Nyork (New York).  I love that kid and his imagination.  He is so specific about what role he wants me to play, what noises I'm supposed to make, and what I'm supposed to do and say.   It's slightly stressful, but I do enjoy it when just the two of us can play.

We picked Mei Li up and then went to look at a piano I found on craigslist.

During Mi Na's afternoon nap and the older kids' down time, I went to work sanding our railings.  Stephen came up to ask me a question and then he said, "Mom, I like you like this."

"Like me like what?" I asked.

"Like this!" he said pointing at my head.

"You mean you like my hair like this?"

"Yeah.  It's pretty."

And in case you were wondering (which I'm pretty sure you aren't), this is what he meant:

  I thought it was funny because, one, this is my grungy look, and two, Steve likes my hair like this too.

About fifteen minutes after our conversation, I found Stephen like this:

 

Wearing snow boots, without a shirt, asleep on the floor.  He woke himself up before long.

And then there was a thunderstorm.  I love Virginia's summer thunderstorms.  It's quick and dramatic and it just cools our world down a little bit.

After the rain let up, we went out with rain boots to play in the puddles. 

 

And yes, I think they're heartbreakingly cute and loveable and crazy!

We had a spontaneous afternoon play date with a neighbor, and then Steve came home.  I served overcooked fish in a ginger-soy glaze, rice, seaweed, and green beans for dinner.  The seaweed was Steve's idea.  Korean mission nostalgia, you know.  It was a very tasty addition.  The kids wanted to try the nori, but of course, did not end up liking it.  I don't get it, I loved this stuff when I was little. :)

Then we had family home evening.  Mi Na tried to lead the music like me, and Mei Li and Stephen just belted out "Scripture Power."  There was one who didn't listen to the lesson and there was a timeout for kicking.  But sometimes that's how it goes.  And all of these ups and downs are what make life so great.  Plus, how could I ever teach my kids anything if they didn't make mistakes?

Life is good and my heart is full of gratitude for it.

P.S. The sister update is on Christine's blog this week.  Check it out.