Crazy Hayden sayings + 20 gratefuls

Every so often, I’ll hear one of the kids say something hilarious or adorable while I’m sitting at the computer, and straight away I open up a new post to write down those cute things. Here are some recent things Hayden has said:

“Mom, Rachel just smells like some weird vampire. Those guys are funky!”

“If you break this fourf wall . . .”

Hayden was playing with a truck and announced that it sold “Chocolate fondues!” Rebecca asked “I haf a chockit fonnu?”

Hayden pulled up a picture of Disney princesses on the Internet and called for Rebecca to come over to see “your favorite blog!”

I mentioned last week that Hayden rode bikes with the neighbors. Back and forth on the sidewalk. It’s cute how much they loved it. (It’s also been cold and rainy, so they haven’t had many chances to do this). Over the weekend, I walked Hayden and his bike across the street to play with the little girl his age over there. She got her scooter out and again, they rode back and forth on the sidewalk till we had to go in.

He needs a helmet and really likes his friend’s bell, so I started him on an incentive chart. He can get up to 4 smileys a day in each category: no whining/fits, be nice to sisters, obey quickly, and extra/misc. He’s just about got enough to earn his helmet (horrible that I made him earn his own vital safety equipment, I know—we did have one, but he’s outgrown it). Next on the list to earn: the bell!

He’s very excited about kindergarten in the fall. He’s working hard on his letters. We’re learning letter combinations now, including ck, sh, st and more—so Hayden has actually read his first words this month! (It was see, in case you’re wondering.) I’m so proud! He drew a cow (when we were learning “ow”):

I’m also proud of this adorable picture he drew of Rachel’s lovey, a caterpillar named Cally (both shown here).

He loves to create awesome buildings out of his block sets and cardboard boxes. We’re regularly impressed by the symmetry and balance of his creations. Here’s one of his buildings: the sign on the awning was dictated to me and our friend Brianna. It reads, “Hayden’s Toy Story 3 [it’s a movie theater, but he and Rebecca insist they’re showing Cars 2 on both screens]. Hayden’s Bookstore. Everything is $18. Hayden’s Fanciest Candy Store and Also Necklace Store.”

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The gratefuls! Monday:

1. Our freedoms.
2. Those who have sacrificed (and are now sacrificing) to preserve those freedoms.
3. A day off!
4. Rachel going from hands and feet to just feet without support.
5. Craft store sales.
6. Ambitious art projects (I’m so NOT that, but I’m ready to try now!)
7. More exciting (and delicious) projects coming up for Wayward Girls’ Crafts
8. One (and only one) fun find at garage sales/thrift stores over the weekend.
9. Lining up the first teacher for the first class for my writer’s group!
10. Ryan putting Rachel to bed.

Today:

1. Finally, May-worthy weather!
2. Time at the park (even if we all got a little sunburned)
3. Takeout for dinner
4. Lining up more teachers for my writers group
5. Homemade doughnuts
6. Going to bed early! Seriously couldn’t keep my eyes open after 10:30 last night.
7. Rebecca’s imaginary toys at the park (which she told her daddy all about at dinner)
8. New friends for Hayden at the park.
9. Rachel said “Hi, Dada” three times this morning!
10. Man—just a great day!