It was the day of my weekly date with one of my children, and on this particularly week it was Spence’s turn.

As we waited in line for our snack, Spence (age 4) entertained me with stories of his latest Lego creation.  I lovingly remarked, “You’re so funny, Spence!”

He smirked his little half smile and said in his darling halting speech, “Chase said… last night… that I am funny.”

“Because you are!” I laughed.

He turned to me, his smile suddenly replaced with a serious expression.  “Carmen… says… I am not so funny.”

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Spence and Carmen are sharing an electric mixer beater covered in muffin batter, taking turns eating from it.

Carmen:  I hate germs.  Ew, I hate germs.

Spence (teasingly):  I looooove Carmen’s germs.  I just love them.

Carmen:  Well, I hate your germs.  They’re always covered in spit.

Spence, Carmen and I were in a public restroom, and Spence was using the stall next to me.

“Ha ha! I finished first!” he announced proudly.

Carmen was waiting by the sinks.  She rolled her eyes and answered,

“That’s because you’re a boy… You think you haaaave to win.”

Chase was away from home a couple nights one week.  Spence (4) missed him, and didn’t want to sleep alone so he crawled into bed with Carmen (6).  Those of you who don’t know Carmen, well, she is our… active, mischievous child. *ahem*

In the morning she greeted me with this:

“Mom, did you know Spence slept with me the whooole night?!”

I replied that, yes, I did know that.

She continued, “So cute! And he settled right down and was really calm!”

Spence entered the kitchen where I was fixing supper.

“Mom, am I cute?” he asked in all seriousness.

“Yes!” I answered as Carmen joined us.  “You’re adorable!”

Spence turned around to Carmen and exclaimed, “See?!”

Carmen, not bothering to retaliate further, just shrugged with a smirk.

Spence was carrying a folding chair to help set up for church. Carmen watched him as he struggled with determination.

“Wow Spence, you are sooo strong!” she offered in encouragement.

He replied matter-of-factly, “I’m supposed to be” and continued lugging the chair across the room.

Spence (3) and Carmen (5) are helping me with the landscaping.  I ask Carmen to bring me the watering can that is nearly full of water.  She struggles, but manages to lug it to me.  Spence is watching her, holding his trusty little shovel.

Spence: I could lift that.

Carmen:  No!  It’s really, really heavy.

Spence: Yeeaaah! I could lift that!

Carmen: Well, I could lift it with just one hand.  If I wanted to, I could.

Spence:  Awesome.

(pause)

Carmen:  You’re not cool when you say that.

Spence:  Yeeeaah.

(long pause)

Spence: Awesoooooome.