Sarah finished her plaid skirt at the end of the week and wore it today with heels, keeping her heels on all day. "I like wearing heels," she chirped.

I had just finished a triumphant violin/harp practice session, and exclaimed joyfully, "How long did I practice? An hour?!" Peter responded, "More like TWO!"

Rebecca was singing lustily, "I could have danced all night" when Nate, eating his bowl of Lucky Charms, grumped, "Becca! Stop singing!" "Nate, practice tolerance," I chided. "I did," he defended. "Already."

The children put on some dancing music ("The Contradiction" by Celtic Woman). Anna approached Sarah and bowed and extended her hand, asking, "May I take a dance?"

Eliza took a bite out of an orange slice and grimaced. "It tastes kind of awkward...for an orange."

When I commented about the children's choice of maple bars and strawberry milk for breakfast, Nate remembered Bill Cosby and justified, "It has wheat and milk and eggs--a perfect nutritional breakfast, Mom."

How many moms in the history of Lucky Charms cereal have made this comment like I did this morning? "You have to eat the cereal and not just the marshmallows!"

The past week or so has been "color week," where the kindergartners wear a different color each day. Yesterday was pink and today is purple. Pete's response both days was the same: "I am NOT wearing pink!" "I am NOT wearing purple!"

Eliza (7), walked into the kitchen, a big smile playing on her lips and a twinkle in her eyes. "I'm wearing lipgloss because it's the Fall Festival."

Peter told me yesterday, in a surprised tone, "I was playing a game at school. I was trying to frighten the girls, and theyliked it! [Face drooped, voice quieted]. "But no one would be on my team."

Anna was in the car with me as we went to pick up football players. "You're so nice, Mom." Touched, I responded, "You're so nice, too, Anna." "I love you." Again, "I love you, too." Pause. "Mom, will you take me to Disneyland?" I'm smiling. "Yes, I would love to take you to Disneyland." Another pause, but not so long. "Will you take me there for my birthday?"