I tucked Drewby into bed this evening (Jan.8).  We always tell secrets at bedtime (thanks to my incredibly wonderful sister Ruth).  Once when we were visiting “Hailey-Bailey’s Ruth”, we saw (not heard) her tell all her kiddos secrets as part of the bedtime-tucking-in routine.  She didn’t just tell her kids secrets though, she included ALL the cousins – oh, happiness.  So sweet – that was a few years ago.  This last summer she told them again, and it hit me that I could adopt that tradition.  (I know – took me a little while ;))  The only two requirements for a “secret” are that it must be whispered into an ear and it must start with “I love you more than…..”.  The rest is up to you.  I have been told that I am loved more than all the planets & stars in the galaxy, more than purple popsicles, pink rainbows and other as equally delicious phrases.  

Tonight Drewby told me that he loved me more than “chocolate on his tongue“.  

Or so I thought.  When I said, “chocolate on your tongue??” with a hint of wonder, he said “NO!  hee hee hee hee – chocolate in my dump truck!!”  He loves his dump truck, so it’s quite the happy secret.

Especially if he meant THIS dump truck.

{picture taken by Joshua  :)}

Joshua is the best tackler.  He is very good at surprise tackles.  Jacob said that he and Joshua have a fun “silly giggly contest”.  Here’s how it goes down:  When one of them enters a room where the other is at, they look at the one in the room until they start laughing.  I made the mistake of saying “oh, a staring contest”.  I was quickly informed it is not.  It is much different, with a whole set of rules all it’s own.  But the “silly giggly” outcome is the same, no??

Joshua gives lots of hugs and kisses to everyone in our family.  He says that “anyone can create a kiss or a hug”.  It’s one of my favorite sayings of his.  Joshua says that he is an expert at “stabilizing snowmen” and Jacob vouches for that.  

Joshua’s favorite foods shift, but he will always eat German pancakes, pizza, cheesy chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and his favorite drink is CoLD, iCy water.

Joshua received a flying man with wings for Christmas this year.  It flies all over the living room.  I think he kinda-maybe-sorta likes it:

It even made an appearance for show-and-tell.

Joshua is a dreamer, wisher like me.  He wishes on multiple stars every night.  He is not a strict wish-maker-keeper-never-tell-anyone-evah wisher (like myself) though, because he let me in on his ultimate wish:  200 packs of Winter Wonderland Wonka candy mix – a “whole forest” complete with Frosty Nerds and Snowball Gobstoppers.  Hmmm, maybe it’s better to let others know though, so they can help with the making-come-true part.  I know what he’s getting in his stocking next year.  😉  Maybe not quite in that quantity though.

We sure do think the world of our big-smiling, loving Joshua.

Jacob so kindly got all the toothbrushes ready for the kiddos a few nights ago.  He placed them on the table and then went about the bedtime-getting-ready-business.  I entered the room ready to help scrub away little cavity-bugs, but the toothbrushes were nowhere to be found.  Wha?  

I questioned the older ones, but they had no idea.  I turned around and found Andrew almost ready to burst.  Of course he was waiting, so I asked, “Where are toothbrushes Andrew?”

The words erupted forth…”In the tree!” Hee heeeee heee  “The tree with no star”  hee heeeeeeee heeee

And there they were – right in the tree.  The tree that I had just pulled all the ornaments off of.  The Christmas tree that was now bare except for it’s lights…. and four toothbrushes.  What a fine decoration!  

We had a fun little treasure hunt finding all the toothbrushes.  And I shall not be surprised when the toothbrushes find a new vacation spot.

It reminds me of a funny joke my little brother John once told me (warning, he was quite young). 

John:  Why did the horse climb the tree?

Me:  Hmmm, no idea

John:  To brush his teeth!!!

Me:  Huh?

John:  Get it??  Leaves are green and toothpaste is green.  

Me:  Ah, yeah.  Now I get it.

And obviously, so does Andrew.  🙂