Today we found Piper busily cleaning off dark paint off of her hands in the bathroom after painting...admirable in itself. However, in light of the dark streaks all over the faucet, the sink, the soap, and the light switch, it wasn’t so rewarding a sight (. And then, as I heard her sweetly singing to herself later, knowing that Havala was in there as well and not fussing, I thought, "Well, it’s quiet, and I am playing "Farming Game" uninterrupted as things stand right now, so...I’ll ignore it." A few minutes later, Lily frantically called out, "Mommy, mommy! Come here quick!" Well, the last time I responded to a similar call from Kel, it was to find a trail of poop in the hall and my bedroom, the toilet smeared with it, and Piper hiding in her closet, spreading the glory. So, I believe my hesitation to respond to the call can be understood.

Lily, as always, was quick to help me see the problem by bringing Havala in to me, with her hair full of hand soap. Lovely. Piper had done similar things to herself, smearing hand soap all through the top of her hair. She was thorough, too. Not only had she "cleaned" herself and Havala, but she had "washed" all the toothbrushes with hand soap, and the cup that hold them as well. Wonderful. Nothing a little water can’t fix, right? (

I had a miracle happen today as well. I spoke with Piper about how she could only wear panties if she was going to keep them dry. And here’s the miracle...I think she actually listened and understood me!! Woohoo! Not that she actually believes me, but I think she knew what I was saying!

One of Hyrum’s favorite sayings lately is: "Mom, you are pretty all over yourself!" or "Mom, I love all the girls all over the world all over themselves" and I need to respond, "Hyrum, you are awesome all over yourselves" to which he replies, "All the girls are pretty all over themselves and all the boys are awesome all over themselves." What an observant lad!

One of his other astute observations: "Mom, you will be dead a’fore me."