"What do witches put on their hair?" Peter asked.

"What?" I asked (after being so prompted by P.)

"SCAREspray!"

Anna decided to take a turn:

"What do witches put on their feet?" She questioned.

"What?" I asked (I'm a quick learner).

"I don't know. YOU guess."

After Julia got her princess ball gown on, Peter said in sincere awe, "You look SUPER, Julia!"

I am always amazed at the way children's minds gather information. Sometimes at night I put on some children's stories in French, from a series called Martine, for Anna to go to listen to while going to sleep. Today I was listening to the Relief Society General Meeting in French when Anna, who was by me, commented, "This sounds like Martine!"

Anna asked me this morning, "Can I have some hot cocoa for breakfast since it's snowing?" I made her some. She came to me before lunch and asked, "Can I have some hot cocoa for lunch since it's snowing?" I think I see a pattern here...

Anna to Sarah this morning: "When you are grown up, I'll come babysit your babies for you so you can go on a LONG trip with your dad [husband]."

Peter lay in bed tonight. "How long is night? 10 hours?" he asked, semi-frustrated. "Yep," I answered. "Enjoy it now." "It's too long!" he cried.

When I asked Peter where his socks where this morning as he was putting on his shoes, he said to me, "I don't know where they go! It's just like magic!"

"You know what I want to be for Halloween? St. Louis!" (Anna means Esther, played by Judy Garland in the musical movie, Meet Me in St. Louis)

"Mark my words. You're going to marry a potato farmer from Idaho who loves to camp." Lane, to Sarah

This week my mom (an incredible mother) gave me a piece of advice that she received sometime in her life - treat your children like they are your best friend. For example you wouldn't get frustrated if your best friend was walking too slowly, you would most likely slow down to walk with them, or if your friend broke something, or got something dirty you would most likely react patiently and help them. Ever since she said this, I have been thinking about Darla and our interactions, about Bennett and our interactions. I hope I can apply this idea as I strive to raise my children with love and patience. There is much learn. I love being a mom.


Jenny Nelson, blog, November 2009