A Very Nearly Tea

Over the weekend, we took my parents out to see our new property. The one that is really ours, complete with signed paperwork, keys and bills addressed to us! Anyway, the kids took off to explore. Dismayed at the fact we didn't have keys to all the padlocks and thus still couldn't get into one of the sheds, they determined to take matters into their own hands.

Mouse found a ladder in one of the barns and dragged it over to the window. They all climbed up and one by one dropped inside to explore. Model teamwork, it was.

They, of course, were thrilled with their success. All but one, that is. From inside the dark shed, my dad heard one, small little four year old voice.

"Hey! How are we going to get out of here?"

Good question, little Bug.

Every day, my little L.E. Fant crawls into my lap, takes my face into her little hands and declares, "Mommy special!"

And I don't know which warms my heart more: her spontaneous affections or the fact she has been told she is special often enough for the word to be a treasured part of her developing vocabulary.

"L.E. special," I respond with a tickle. And her face beams.

I cannot quite describe the feeling I had when my three year old snuggled up to me this evening and said,

I like to snuggle you, mom. Do you like to snuggle me, too?

And when I answered with a yes and a snuggle, her whole face beamed as she nestled into my arms.