...come forth the unexpected

 

Dorie (cheerfully): "This was a good day, but I didn't like it, not one little bit" 

Dorie: "Mommy and I and James are stupid, but I never call anyone stupid" 

‎Dorie: "Dear God, thank you for my new dress which is very beautiful, which I will wear every day. Amen.

"Me: Dorie was on a roll of goofiness this evening. November 22

Quotes from a lecture that was prompted by an extremely difficult evening of child rearing:
Ethan: "Dorie, do you like doing naughty things?"
Dorie: "I like doing naughty things. I like doing joking things. I like doing kind things." November 13

A few minutes ago:
Me: "Ethan, I wish I could wrap this moment up and send it to my future self. Prairie Home Companion on the radio, quiet children, my second chocolate cookie, warm from the oven...I just love my life"
Dorie (yelling): "Mom, James just pooped in the bathtub!" November 12

Dorie and my nephew Max had a long theological conversation before dropping off to sleep two nights ago. After listening through the door, I told Ethan that a lot of indoctrination happens at the ages of 3 and 4! Hearing them retell our beliefs about miracles and Jesus both excited and sobered me. What a responsibility when they believe everything we tell them! But wait...
Here is the reality check that happened tonight:
Ethan: Is it good to pray to God?
Dorie: No. We should make idols and pray to idols. Oct 2

James doesn't use complete sentences, but the meaning of tonight's bedtime prayer was very clear. He loudly and emphatically asked God to give him a puppy...and a horse...and an elephant. Sept 24

As I was doing dishes, Dorie came running in with a pile of dishcloths and when she put them away she told me she had just earned 10 points. Apparently Ethan came up with a laundry game for the kids. How many years will this work, do you think? (He also stuffed hankies in their diapers so they could have tails and be monkeys--I think he gets at least 50 'cool dad' points tonight.) Sept 22

From the Mast's breakfast conversation this morning:
Dorie: What's a budget?
Ethan: A budget is a plan for how you're going to spend your money
Dorie: Oh. At 5:00 I will spend my money on lip gloss.Sept 14

(Dorie and James playing pretend)
Dorie: "Mommy Cow, can we eat something?"
Me: "Little Cows can eat all the grass they want"
Dorie and James: Moo.
Two minutes later I look out the window and they took me literally, the little grass munchers! August 19 

Dorie as she jumps from the coffee table to the couch: "ready, set, BALTIMORE! August 11

• Julleanna Outten Seely: Haha. Where'd that come from? 

  Queena Joy Mast: The fertile fields of her mind.

 Dorie woke up an hour ago crying. She said she had a bad dream about wolves. I held her and told her the verse "have no fear for I am with you." She is sleeping now, but before I left she said "I'm afraid that God will leave me." Of this I am sure...He never will leave my little girl. August 2