7.31.21 - Joy status: trains and compliments

Riding the train at the St. Louis Zoo.

When I compliment a woman's clothing and she tells me she got it for $5 at a thrift store.

7.28.21 - Kid snippets: Thanks because you love me

Just now when I gave Clara a kiss goodnight, she wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear "Thanks, Mom."

I pulled back to look at her.

Me: Thanks for what?
Clara, with a very serious face: Because you love me.
Me: *dies*
(Jk jk)
Me: I *do* love you!
I give her another kiss.
She smiles.

Fin.

7.26.21 - Kid snippets: napkin on my head

My in-laws use bandanas as cloth napkins. Today for the first time in forever I was wearing a bandana. As I was about to leave the house Clara shouted "WAIT! ... You've got to take that napkin off."

7.25.21 - Kid snippets: Where's my freaking pillow?

This afternoon when Jack picked us up from the airport, the girls and Calvin were delighted to see each other. Calvin just kept looking at them and giggling, which they returned in kind.

Also, tonight Jane realized her pillow wasn't at the head of her bed where it usually is.

Jane: What?? Mom! Where's my freaking pillow?
Me, already laughing: What did you say?
Jane, calmly: Where's my freaking pillow?

7.21.21 - Joy status: Finished genetics

I finally finished the genetics course that's been annoying me the last few months! I thought the final went well, we'll see. Then I had a wonderful time with Aaron at dinner. Awesome day.

7.19.21 - Joy status: faster playback speeds

Being able to listen to audiobooks or watch videos at faster playback speeds.

7.18.21 - Kid snippets: I'll tell you when we get home

We were driving somewhere, and while in the car Clara was reading a book about everything a kid will do when he grows up.

Clara: Just like me! I will do more things when I grow up!
Me: What will you do when you grow up?
Clara: More things!
Me: Like what?
Clara: *pause* I...um...I'll tell you when we go back to the house.

7.16.21 - Joy status: hummingbirds and cardinals

The backyard often has hummingbirds and cardinals flitting around.

7.12.21 - Kid snippets: Calvinisms

These are some current Calvin translations:

"Up!" = Either "pick me up" or "put me down" depending on context
"How?" = Why?
"See me, Mama!" = Mom, watch what I'm going to do!

7.10.21 - Joy status: RAIN

Absolutely loving all the rain we're getting. It's rained more in the month we've been here than probably the last 18 months in California. Looooving it.

7.9.21 - Kid snippets: Spiderman > Jesus

Julie sent me this conversation she overheard yesterday between my nephew and Clara.

Malcolm pretends to electrocute random objects with a creation he built.
Me: I guess you're Zeus. Or maybe Thor. Thor is my favorite.
Malcolm: Hulk favorite!
Clara: Jesus is my favorite because he loves me!
Malcolm: Yeah, Jesus cares about us.
Clara: actually... Jesus is not my favorite. Spiderman is.
Me: You can like both.
Clara: No, I don't like Jesus now, I like Spiderman.

7.7.21 - Joy status: full size washer, less carpeting

A full sized washer and dryer, and a place for my kids to eat their meals that isn't over carpeting! Details that make domestic life a little bit easier.

7.7.21 - Kid snippets: Is there someone in the dentist?

For some reason, Jane refers to the basement as the "dentist," so she was getting pretty annoyed with me when it took me a long time to understand what she meant by "Is there someone in the dentist?" (Also, no, there's no one in the dentist.)

7.1.21 - Kid snippets: Mom doesn't know about space

From the other morning while I was driving the kids to daycare:

Clara: Why do we live on Earth and not one of the other planets?
Me: Earth is the only one with oxygen. We wouldn't be able to breathe on the other planets.
Clara: But there is some oxygen in space.
Me: No, when we go in space we can breathe if we are on a spaceship or if we have an astronaut suit that keeps the oxygen in. But there isn't oxygen just in space by itself.
Clara: But some galaxies have oxygen.
Me: No, not to breathe. Not that we know of.
Clara, getting annoyed: Mom! You need to just say "I don't know about space!"