Kids underfoot, and some cute phrases

For the record, I want to state that our week ended on a much better note. Per my last post, Connor and Isabel were really fighting (more than the average clashes), and Lucas is cutting two top teeth, and all in all, I was feeling really unpleasant 'bout mid-week. Then I remembered this Ensign article I read a few years ago, titled "Two Toddlers Underfoot." The author makes the point of how if we follow Christ's example, "then even when the laundry and dishes are piling up, the bills need to be paid, and I’ve had too little sleep, I can stop, take my children in my arms, and love them." The last line reads, "when your children are in your arms, they are no longer underfoot." That line has stuck with me, and from time to time I really take its meaning to heart. Even if I'm not literally holding them in my arms, I think it can also be figurative - if your kids have your time and attention, they are less likely to cause trouble.

Such was the case this week. Sometimes, I think it's important to put aside all the things I have going on, and make sure my kids know they are my top priority of a long list of priorities. It's amazing how just putting my full focus on them and really engaging them can have such a positive outcome. Just a simple game or outing can turn a bad day into a significantly better one. On Thursday afternoon and Friday, we did a spur-of-the-moment ice cream cone/McDonald's playland outing, scheduled a last-minute playdate with good friends, and explored a new park a friend had told me about. We were all much happier!

It's also amusing how a change of scenery can turn Connor and Isabel from bitter enemies to the best of friends. At McDonald's on Thursday, they were having so much fun, they kept running up to each other and giving each other huge hugs. These other mothers kept looking at me with smiles and looks that were like, "awww, look at how sweet they are and how much they love each other!" All I could think of was, "you should have seen them about 20 minutes ago!"

On another note, I wanted to record a couple of cute things my kids have said recently:

Connor, walking back to his seat after giving a talk in Primary last week, announced to everyone, "that was a really nice talk I just gave!"

Connor wasn't feeling well today. He said to me, "mom, I feel sick. My swallow hurts."

Isabel was indulging in a chocolate croissant at Atlanta Bread last month, and said, "I don't like it - it has bread in it." Apparently the chocolate straight up would have been more her style, that sweet-toothed girl!

And Lucas's new favorite thing to do: ride/play with this Tonka Truck. He LOVES this truck with all of his sweet little heart. He really loves to move the red handle back and forth; this makes a lovely revving sound. Such a boy! And looking at this picture, I can no longer pretend that his hair is OK. It is crazy long and shaggy! I'm going to have to get him in for a cut before our family pictures next month.