Childhood Wisdom
Our Little Negotiator
Theresa: “I will give you some jelly beans if you let me get you dressed.” Kieran: “If you tell me where your jelly bean container is, I will let you get me dressed.”
Read MoreThe Prayers of a Child
A couple of years ago, Elizabeth started praying for a family after our family Rosary each night. She prays for each member of this family by name. Recently, we learned that this family has started going to Mass again. Yesterday, we had confirmation of this, and I mentioned it to Elizabeth and some of her…
Read MoreFrom the Mouth of a Child and more
When my daughters returned from camp, they showed us the Immaculate Heart of Mary wall hangings that they made. Kieran was amazed by them and sat looking at the wall hangings and trying to touch them. All of a sudden, he surprised me by saying, “Mommy, the girls make Mary’s heart. Jesus is happy.” As…
Read MoreClothing Advice from my Daughter
Catherine: “Mommy, I really like the skirt that you and Theresa made tonight. I like the style and everything. I would buy a skirt like that, but…” Me: “What don’t you like about it?” Catherine: “I like everything about it, but I don’t think that she can wear it to Mass because I think that…
Read MoreUltrasound Observations
Last week, Patrick and Theresa joined me at my ultrasound. They were very cute whispering about the baby. Theresa asked for a photo of the baby’s face. Patrick requested a photo of the baby’s “chipmunk cheeks” and heart. After the ultrasound, they asked the doctor if they could confirm the baby’s gender and swore themselves…
Read MoreHonesty is the Best Policy
On Saturday morning, Elizabeth came to me and shared, “Mommy, Bernadette says that I can’t just throw my clothes on the floor.” I replied, “Bernadette is right. If your clothes are dirty, you need to put them in the hamper. If they are clean, you need to put them away.” “I can’t do that.” Elizabeth…
Read MoreSweetness
Me: “Sweet Elizabeth, will you please…” Elizabeth: “Don’t call me sweet. I’m not sweet.” Me: “Oh, why aren’t you sweet.” Elizabeth: “If I was sweet, that would mean that I was like sugar or something. I’m just Elizabeth.” She’s sweeter than sugar, but I won’t call her sweet again. As we sat around the dinner…
Read MoreHeat Rises
Finnian: “I am hot.” Patrick: “Well, Finnian, you are wearing pants. When it is hot outside, you should wear shorts because heat rises.”
Read MoreWise Pondering
The other night during dinner, I mentioned something about wisdom. One of my children responded, “I would rather be a fool and alive, than wise and dead.” Before I could say anything, Theresa said, “I would rather be wise and dead. If I were a fool and alive, then I would commit sins like fools…
Read MoreTurning the Other Cheek
Sibling: “Patrick, your ‘r’s don’t look right. They’re supposed to be in the lines, not up there.” Patrick: “If you don’t like my ‘r’s, then you should see my capital ‘D’s.” Me: “What’s wrong with your capital ‘D’s?” Patrick (showing me one of his ‘D’s): “Look.” It looked fine to me. Truth be told, Patrick’s…
Read MoreLenten Gardening Observations
Patrick: “Oh, look at the purple flowers! I like Lent because that is when the flowers start to come up.” Theresa: “By the time Easter comes, the garden is full of flowers and it looks beautiful.” *The children were observing miniature irises that bloomed on Ash Wednesday. I failed to take a picture of them…
Read MoreElizabeth’s Viewpoint
A few weeks ago, Elizabeth came with me to pick up her father from the transit center. After waiting for him for about 10 minutes, Elizabeth said, “Mommy, Daddy’s not coming. I think we’re lost.” Last night, Elizabeth looked out of the window and commented, “It is yellow and pink outside. I think that God…
Read More