Dream on

Yesterday morning in church, the pastor had the kids come up for a little chat about Advent. Harper had her hand raised before any questions had been posed, so she was more than ready to give her response when Mr. Seay wondered if any of them remembered what they received for Christmas last year. Harper got the mike, appropriately restated the question in her response, and came forth with this:

"Last year for Christmas I got a little baby puppy."

And everyone collectively said, "Awwwwwwwwww," because I'm sure they were picturing the cute little girl with the cute little voice cuddling her cute little puppy.

Except that Harper did NOT get a little baby puppy for Christmas last year, she got a play kitchen.

Meanwhile, Hudson has taken to wearing his puppy around in a sling fashioned out of his special blanket and a clothespin.

So yes, our kids REALLY want a real live puppy. And no, we are not getting them one.

We spent last week with the Grandparents Pate and we made gingerbread men:

And dirt soup:

The husband and I also got to have dinner out with the Youngs (Carrie, who leaves sage comments as "Ken" about mothering her four sweet kids) and I laughed so hard that my stomach was sore. Carrie and I have known each other since preschool? earlier? and it's such a delight to be able to share childhood memories (some really WEIRD ones, incidentally) and also have life right now so in common as well. And speaking of old friends, happy birthday to you, Mrs. Dyson! Forty is the New Thirty, you know.