Noelle loves wrinkles

Noelle loves wrinkles - sheet wrinkles that is. As Noelle is falling asleep, she likes to rub a wrinkle from the fitted sheet in between her thumb and forefinger. I've known she does this for a long time but it always makes me laugh to find out how important they are too her.

She usually gets upset when I put fresh sheets on the bed because I pull the fitted sheet on tight which eliminates the wrinkles. Noelle usually request that I "put the wrinkles back in".

When we are in VA and someone asks her how she slept, she always answers regarding the wrinkles. "I slept good, there were lots of wrinkles."

Recently we read a book about camping and I asked her if she would like to sleep in a sleeping bag. She thought it sounded fun but then she asked very seriously "Do sleeping bags have wrinkles?"

I'm currently in the process of painting Noelle's room so we needed her to sleep in the living room. I asked her if she wanted to sleep on the couch or if I should move the cushions to the floor and make a little bed for her. Her only question was "will there be wrinkles on the couch?"

It was especially cute several months ago when she couldn't pronounce her r's yet and she would talk about the 'winkles' in her bed.

Ahh, to be 4 again

Life is pretty simple when you're 4.

What do you do when you're given a leotard that is too big? ...Wear it over your clothes.

What do you do when you want to dance but you don't know how and your parents are of no help?
...Make up your own dances.

Noelle LOVES to dance (if you can call it that). Almost every evening after supper Noelle changes into her dance clothes and puts on a show. Usually she gets very hot and has to do a wardrobe change. Then she wears a pink t-shirt and a denim skirt. It's a crowd pleaser.

Bad Hair = Good Nap

I just woke up from a good nap. Can you tell?

And if the sunlight hits it just right, you might think I have a flaming head...or maybe that's the medicine I'm on. (see prescription bottle. Yes, it's empty. It goes with Noelle's doctoring supplies)

Accessorizing

Sometimes just the right accessory really completes an outfit.....

....and sometimes it doesn't.

Is Noelle in there?

This is how Nolle likes to take her nap. She usually plays for a little while then lines them all up and falls asleep. What you don't see are the stuffed animals under the covers.

Funny or Embarassing?

Here is Sadie, striking a most-flattering pose. We usually put sweatpants and a onesie under her pj's so that she stays warm at night (no matching required, of course). She gets a second-wind right before bed when we allow her to play with just her 'under-layer' on. Here she's amusing herself with her big belly and purple, sparkley purse. I couldn't decide if it was more funny or more embarrassing. Either way, it makes for a good post.

Humbling Acts of Service

This past Sunday our pastor challenged us to find 3-5 "humbling acts of service" that we could perform to serve others. The acts shouldn't be simply holding the door for someone, but rather doing a job that no one else wants to do like Jesus's example of washing the disciples' feet. Brad and I were joking around because we already wipe dirty bottoms and runny noses, and on Sundays and Wednesdays I serve in the nursery and wipe other children's dirty bottoms and runny noses...what could be more humbling for us to do?
Obviously God was glad we asked. (*Beware* the words "poop" and "poopy" are generously used in the description below.) Within seconds of Brad and my conversation Sadie had an exploding diaper that required 2 people to clean up - child, changing table and clothes. Although this is not an unusual task for a parent, it's certainly not something we get real excited about.
Later that same day it was time to give the girls a bath. Sadie was in the tub and Noelle was reluctantly getting in. She was very hesitant because the last bath they had together Sadie pooped in the tub and completely grossed Noelle out - rightfully so. I assured Noelle that it would be highly unlikely to happen 2 times in a row and besides she already had a hugely dirty diaper earlier in the day.
Well Noelle hadn't been in the tub more then 5 minutes when Sadie leaned forward a little with a look of concentration on her face. I thought "surely she's not pooping again." My thoughts were quickly confirmed when Noelle leaped from the bathtub, announcing in a loud voice "I'm never taking a bath with her again!" Sure enough, the same loose stool found in her diaper that morning was floating around the tub in the afternoon. What joy to find another humbling act of service right in my home!