Buy Generic

Mama: [Tucking Eliana, who has a cold, under the covers for Quiet Time] Okay, honey, just read your book and I'll go get a Kleenex for your nose. [Continuing to straighten covers and tuck them under her legs]

Eliana: [pausing, thinking, then nodding understandingly] That's short for Toilet Paper, right, Mama?

Mobile Entertainment

Gideon has figured out how to make his brothers and sister giggle during meal times... he rolls his eyes to the sides and up and down, holding his head very still, a tiny smile on his closed lips.

After one such session, Corban leaned back and sighed, Ah, Gideon. He's our tabernacle entertainment!

Daddy and I looked at each other. What?

You know, he continued. The tabernacle was mobile? They could pack it up and go wherever they wanted? Gideon's like that- we can take our entertainment wherever we go!

Certainly

I pulled Gideon's bowl of eggs away so I could attach his bib first.

Eliana, watching, said, I don't need a bib anymore, do I? I'm a big girl! But you need one, Gideon, certainly!

Lolling

Eliana was "scrubbing" the kitchen floor while I washed dishes.

Gideon thought it was a lovely game and came lolling across her back. She grunted and called out to me.

Gideon, please get off of sissy! I called.

Oh, Mama, it's okay! He's being cute. She smiled up from mussed hair and crumby floor.

Loll away, children.

Hierarchy

Corban: Eliana, earlier when I said I didn't want to play your game? It was because it's kind of a girl game. Being a queen and stuff.

Eliana: Noooo! But you can be my servant!

Speechless

Mama was expressing to Daddy her confusion about the popsicles she was making - They keep turning out so sour! And I'm following the recipe exactly! So, either everyone else likes sour popsicles, or I'm doing SOMETHING wrong!

Apparently she was getting a little dramatic in her frustration, so from where he sat on the floor in the living room, playing with Eliana and Gideon, he joined in.

What in the world? It's a conspiracy! People are crazy! They're popsicles, for goodness' sake, why must they be SOUR?

Mama laughed from the kitchen and decided to dial back her expressiveness.

But Eliana stood speechless in front of Daddy, gazing at him in surprise for a few moments. Then she said,

I don't know what to say!

Corban and His Pride

At a recent wedding rehearsal, Corban came over to the bride to say hello. But before he got to her, he tripped!

Are you okay? she gasped.

He picked himself up sheepishly and answered, I'm okay. Nothin' hurt but my pride!