I was remembering lately some funny moments with the girls, before LB entered our world. Some of them weren't so funny at the time, but they have grown better with age...

We worked hard at training the girls to play nicely together in their bedroom alone, with a gate across the door. Very handy when Mommy needs a shower or ten minutes in the bathroom alone or would like to actually wear makeup and clothes besides yoga pants and an old t-shirt.

Well, one day shortly after we moved here (BS was 2.5, LS was 1+) they played a long time. Really quietly. A little too well, if you ask me. I tiptoed around the corner and peeked into their room, and this is what I saw:

• Every single diaper from the clean diaper basket opened up and spread on the floor
• A small stuffed animal, Mr. Potato head, or other figure perched in each diaper
• BS, stripped from the waist down (keep in mind she was already potty trained and in panties), sitting her naked bottom in the middle of one of the diapers. Apparently she had not been able to catch LS to "change" her.

I really tried to control myself as I asked BS what she was up to. Apparently EVERYONE in the room had a dirty diaper. Fortunately the wipes container was already nearly empty!!

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LB is bursting forth with speech these days. Words tend to come and go, but there are more of them lately:

LS's name -- he gets this one right on

Nana -- banana

Kicky -- Kitty, or "Mow" (think "meow")

BS's name -- Lala

Yum!! (I like this)

Car -- Ka

Red -- Rehh (loves to point at red things in books and say this)

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We took the kids to Red Robin tonight. I had heard from a blog friend who lives in Oklahoma that it was a great place --it's one of her favorites. It's a burger place, but it is sit-down and family friendly. (Note: not diet-friendly -- don't even try to guess at the nutritional facts on their menu, or you -- and your arteries -- will run screaming from the place.)

To the kids' great delight, the Red Robin himself was there, in his 7 feet of stuffed costumed glory. He even led us to our table and brought us balloons. This bird instantly became somewhat of a superhero to BS:

• "Mommy, I love how helpful RR is -- he helps people find their tables!"
• (pointing to her printed cup) "Look, RR even plays soccer!"
• "It is REALLY nice of RR to visit everyone and bring them balloons!"

As LB is currently enamored with all things "Reh," he was thrilled to see the big bird and get a "reh" balloon from him. He was a chow hound, downing his chicken fingers and oranges and some of Daddy's fries. The boy loves to eat, if the food is right!

The burgers and fries are SO good...but SO bad for you...still, if you're craving that kind of food, might as well go all the way...

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I've noticed lately that having a verbal 5 year-old is a lot like living with a Sesame Street character. Example -- walking into the restaurant tonight:

BS: "Look Mommy, the doors have RR on them. R for red and R for robin. RR for Red Robin!"

She could stand in for Ernie any day...;-)

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The Lord is gracious to use our children to communicate truth to us in their own special way. Today out of the blue, BS said, "Mommy, did you know that when you put God's word in your heart, you can't just open up your heart and stick it in there? You have to hide it in your heart by memorizing it."

Gracious God, help me to hide more of your Word in my heart and motivate my children to do the same...