Long update

I have smiled more times than I can count in the past week. In stark contrast, I have been less tolerant than usual, and I'm trying to figure out how the two feelings have managed to coexist. I'm positive that 90% of my ills could be solved by one night's undisturbed sleep. Will I ever see that night again?

David has started a "Mommy's home!" ritual that ends with him wrapped around my legs, exclaiming enthusiastically as his beaming sister brings up the rear. Two pairs of green eyes light up, and the smiles that follow belong solely to me. Those happy little faces are better than words. David ran to me with his Magna-doodle in hand, asking, "Mommy, can you draw a t-r-a-i-n?" Since that moment, he has been on a spelling kick like no other. He has been using his alphabet magnets to spell words like "Dog" and "Cat." There is one problem with this newfound knowledge, however. David is aware of his burst of intelligence, and he seems to feel that it has made him smarter than Mommy and Daddy. When he spelled "Dog" G-O-D, I was strongly opposed when trying to correct him. It was a similar situation with "G-R-E-N...Green!" In David's defense, however, it should be noted that there is only one of each letter in the alphabet. PBS kids and daily story time has done wonders. He has been amazingly compliant this week. I'm not sure I even remember the last time he willingly complied with dinnertime, toothbrushing, and bedtime. It has been pleasant. Ms. Emily has been battling a cold this week, but remains in high spirits. She proudly holds up objects and grins as if saying, "Look what I've got!" It always makes me smile. It often seems as though she is trying share the joy whether it be a drool-drenched baby toy or well-chewed biter biscuit. I watched her try to stuff her chubby little cheeks into a slender drinking glass earlier this evening. I couldn't stop laughing at her determination.