Dear Alex,
A little over five years ago a nurse placed you in my arms for the first time. I knew in that moment that my life would never be the same, and I was right. Having you here has made life more fun and wonderful and rich than you can even imagine. You are, quite simply, the greatest blessing that your daddy and I have ever known.
Since you came into our lives we’ve experienced all sorts of immeasurably wonderful moments, and last night was no exception. Because as we were snuggling just before bedtime, getting ready to read one of your favorite stories, you rubbed your hands over your sleepy, sweet blue eyes, inhaled deeply, and uttered words that are pure poetry to any mother’s ears:
“Mama? My two fingers smell like poot!”
Such a tender moment. What a precious treasure.
Love,
Mama
March 20th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Ha! The lovely and sweet music playing in my mind as I read this came to a screeching halt with the last sentence. :)
March 20th, 2008 at 7:02 am
They sure are honest, aren’t they?!
March 20th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Kids are awesome.
March 20th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Typical boy. Mine is 5 1/2 and he likes to tell me when he has “dried poop in my butt” in public. Nice.
March 20th, 2008 at 7:14 am
That ranks right up there with my almost-4 year old son announcing loudly in church that “My penis is feeling funny. I think that means I have to pee.”
Boys — there’s nothing like them!
March 20th, 2008 at 7:19 am
PW isn’t the only one keepin’ it real….
March 20th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Boys. I have two. Always a delight, they are, but rarely refined or civilized. Oh, who am I kidding? That would be never refined or civilized. Boy, do they make me laugh, though!
March 20th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Love it!! My Boy is almost two and not talking yet but I live for the moments he’ll say things like that.
Snips and snails and puppy dog tails…THAT’S WHAT LITTLE BOYS ARE MADE OF!!!
March 20th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Oh these precious little boys!! Could eat them up with a spoon…smells and sounds and all!
Love,
Fran
March 20th, 2008 at 7:51 am
I almost blew my tea outta my nose! SNORT!
March 20th, 2008 at 8:00 am
I was all prepared for a sweet and sappy post and then…HAHAHAHA!
Oh you gottta love it!
March 20th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Poor Howard – he has to grow up knowing that tens of people very single day know his “quirks” – poot smelly hands – awww the sheer preciousness of it all. Good chuckle Sophie – very good. You set us up SO well – then – kablam – pootie it is.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:14 am
The funny thing is, I probably would have smelt them. I have 3 boys and there is always a surprise or two just around every corner, even in the tenderest of moments. Boys are great!
March 20th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Ha! :)
March 20th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Hello! I’m a relatively new reader to your blog. I’ve been admiring from afar for a while and followed your trip to Uganda. I spent 9 days in Mexico last year, so I think your trip is what grabbed my heart, though I’ve heard of your blog for a while.
Anywho, just wanted to say that the line from your son is hilarious! Kids seriously say the darndest things :)
March 20th, 2008 at 8:26 am
if i’ve said this once, i’ve said it a million times.
you DO realize this is why you have a “following?” this. this 5-year-old speak and the ability to relay it with such humor and honesty.
dude, i love ya!
(and to think that this morning, i came over fully prepared to get more music info from the source herself.)
March 20th, 2008 at 8:29 am
At least he didn’t drop his drawers on the lawn of the church with the entire congregation hanging out eating donuts.
True story! Goodness my boys are precious.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Can I just say…eeeewwwww! That’s gross! :)
March 20th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I can relate completely. He’s just now getting into that stage, and from all indications he’ll be there for the long haul.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I meant – mine is getting into that stage. Criminy I wish I could edit my comments!
March 20th, 2008 at 9:07 am
One of the first lessons I learned as a mother is to NEVER, under any circumstances, SMELL THEIR FINGERS.
This will be passed on generation to generation.
March 20th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Just when I started getting all misty-eyed, you threw out that punch line. Little boys…you have to love ‘em!
March 20th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Yes, boys are fun. Mine likes to fart and announce it loudly to whomever might be listening.
When I’m shopping we walk past the lingerie department he likes to shout “boobs!” (bras).
March 20th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Boys!
March 20th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Too funny and too typical of a little boy. These are the moments we’ll treasure forever!
March 20th, 2008 at 9:11 am
LOL, kids are great. :)
March 20th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Oh, you got me. Big time.
March 20th, 2008 at 9:27 am
The moment every girl envisions as she dreams of becoming a mama. :)
March 20th, 2008 at 9:42 am
boys. what can you say? That Alex does have a way with words. I see a career with Hallmark in his future.
March 20th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Happy Birthday, Howard.
I hope those fingers get to smelling better.
March 20th, 2008 at 9:59 am
So funny! Kids are stinkers. Just this week, my 4 year old was wearing a shirt that says, “The Lord is my Shepherd” and it has a lamb appliqued on it. Very cute. I was telling her that Jesus is the Lamb of God. She responded, “Well Mommy, I will be His donkey.”
You just never quite know what kids will say next.
March 20th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Such sweet words. Hopefully you had a handy bottle of purell nearby!
March 20th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Lovely.
March 20th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Too funny! At least he didn’t tell you that you smell bad. My kids like to tell me when my breath is stinky. Isn’t that special? :-)
March 20th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Oh the whimsy, the allure, the charm, the sheer & unadorned candor that is…boy.
March 20th, 2008 at 11:11 am
When my youngest boy was four, his Sunday school class was sharing what they were thankful about. My son waved his hand, all smiles, stood up and announced that he was thankful for his penis.
March 20th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Gosh, I think our boys are living mirrored lives. They come to know the Lord around the same day (last Sept, right?) and they give insightful commentary on their stinkiness around the same time. Just this morning my son had something to say about this very subject. Ah, the fun of raising boys!
March 20th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I have a 5 year old who loves to say similarly revolting things. Please check here for evidence…
A Mom’s Life: A mother’s work is never done.
Love your blog! It keeps me laughing!
March 20th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
You had me! I was waiting to read how wonderful you were or that he thought you were the most beautiful mama. Then you just crack me up!!!!
I have a 6 and 4 year old boy, I’ve heard it all!
March 20th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Love it! Oh the things children will say! They love to keep you on your toes and make you crack up laughing.
March 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Best little boys saying around here…In a public restroom, son in stall…I say, “Honey are you almost done in there?”
Little voice answers, “Just a minute mom, It’s still downloading.”
Little boys are so great!
March 20th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Ahhh, now that was funny! My two year old was kind enough to tell me that the hamburger that I had served him was poopy. I felt bad that he thought that I would actually serve him poop for supper!
March 20th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Oh you had me :) that is classic boy! Thanks for the entertainment Howard!
March 20th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
LOL!!
That is a boy for you – we have endless laughter over here about all kinds of guy humor!
Loads of fun I tell you – LOADS!
Blessings,
Kim
March 20th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
When I first started reading over here, Alex was not much older than my little guy is now and I would read your anecdotes and laugh, while shaking my head and wondering if my time was coming. You assured me it was.
Now? Now I wheeze and try to catch my breath from the laughter. Because my time, it has indeed come. I SO know these special little moments now. Precious, huh? ;)
March 20th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I’m glad I finished the tea BEFORE I read this post or you’d owe me for a cleaning bill!
March 20th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
As the great philosopher Billy Joel would say, “Leave a tender moment alone.” Doesn’t get much more tender than that, does it?
March 20th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Oh! My! Word! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
March 20th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Here’s one for you:
My five year old saw his friend’s very petite and beautiful mom getting out of her car. He said she looked very young. I asked why, and he said (get ready for it): “Well, she’s not as big as her car, but you’re as big as our car.”
Thanks, son. You’re the light of my life.
March 20th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
ROTFL!!! At least it wasn’t said LOUDLY in the middle of Morning Worship!!!