Piggy Bank

Again, my daughter is teaching me. Paris has had a piggy bank for quite some time. When she gets money in cards we usually put it in there and every so often she and her daddy will clean off the shelf where he empties his pockets and deposit all the change in the the bank. When Tripp was born he got a bear bank and she started insisting that we put half the change in his. We have never emptied her piggy bank so it is currently stuffed to the brim. We have been talking for a while about counting it up and starting a savings account for her. She has been on the same page and thought putting it in the bank was a good idea.

Well, Valentine's Day rolled around and she got a total of $15 from her grandparents and great-Nana. I asked her what she wanted to do with it and this was her reply: "Put it in my piggy bank. But Mommy! My piggy bank is full. We need to emtpy it out and give it to Jesus."

Um, wow. I of course told her what a wonderful idea that was and that we would do that very soon. Now, my more practical human side was trying to figure out how to get that savings account started. I even entertained a brief thought of teaching her what 10% meant. Then I realized what a TOTAL boob I was being. (yes, I said boob) Who am I to tell her not to give her money to Jesus?!? If anything, I should follow her example more closely.

So, I've decided that we will count up her piggy bank money and put it in the collection plate. (or maybe just take it to the church office...it would be a noisy collection to drop all that change in) I think I will also match the amount out of my "mad stash" and start the savings account as well. And of course, I now find myself wondering if I should even have a "mad stash" at all. Hmmmmmmm........

MOM

I got a great present today. When I picked Paris up from school she hurried to her cubby to get out a little envelope. She happily brought it to me and proclaimed that she made it to "make me feel better." I guess she picked up on the fact that I'm fighting off a cold that makes me feel less than stellar. Anyway, I looked down and in perfectly beautiful brown crayon was the word "MOM" written in her very own handwriting. I teared up. Her teacher (a substitute today) told me that she came and asked if she could have some help. After Miss Johnnie showed her how, Paris wrote "MOM" on the envelope for me. She filled it with old valentines that she had cut up into pieces. Apparently cutting is one of her favorite things to do at school. The envelope even had a few slices in it. Truth is, I didn't care what was inside. All that matters to me is that my sweet 3 year old daughter was thinking of me and wanted me to feel better. She wrote "MOM." That's me. I'm "MOM," and today I was reminded of what a wonderful thing that is to be. Thank you Paris. Now, SIT ON YOUR BOTTOM AND FINISH YOUR DINNER!!!

Snail Party and a Random Question

Yesterday I had a "sick day." No, I didn't get to stay in bed and have someone bring me soup while I watched cheesy movies and napped all day. Instead I met the basic needs of my children and allowed them to destroy our home with play while I laid on the couch watching just close enough to ensure that physical injuries were not going to happen. Tripp wasn't feeling great either. It amazes me how much snot can be in the head of someone so small. I wore a black t-shirt most of the day and when I took it off last night it looked like a family of snails had a raging party on my shirt. That is mother love.

Random Question - Why are public bathroom toilet seat so infernally cold? Yeah, I know - you're supposed to squat and not actually touch them. That's a physical impossibility at this point. Were I to attempt such a thing I would find myself with a headache from tipping over and ramming the stall door with my head. The miracle of life does have a few drawbacks along the way and I think having to sit on freezing cold public toilets is one of the biggest!

Just thought I'd share............