Happy Birthday, Nanner!

Today I'm thankful for...

1. My little niece Nanner's first birthday!!  Our whole family Tango-ed with Nanner and her mommy and daddy and sang her Happy Birthday.  Then we got to watch Nanner toddle across the floor to her daddy...she'll be running around all over the place with her parents chasing after her like a couple of chickens with their heads cut off in no time!  We're so happy to have little Nanner in our family- she's the kids' first cousin on my side of the family (and my very first niece)!

2. Chores.  Lillian has officially entered the world of chores.  She has her own chores chart!  Nothing fancy...just a calendar drawn with a bunch of colorful markers designating each day of the week and what the chores are, with little boxes to fill with stickers when she completes the chore.  Currently her chores are to help set and clear the table for dinner (reminds me of my chores when I was younger), help Mommy take out the trash (this should really be Daddy's job, but Lillian was excited to do it instead), and line up the shoes by the door ("Nate the great, who lines them up straight!").  She's doing pretty well for her first week, and I have to admit that it has been quite helpful to have her help setting and clearing the table for dinner.  She usually enlists Sydney's help, or Sydney volunteers her services, so I get even more help which is awesome.  The other day Lillian surprised me by sweeping the dining room floor (a monumental task after any meal Liam takes part in) without being asked.  I was so proud of her for seeing a job that needed to be done and doing it!  She seemed pretty proud of herself, too...as she should be!  :)

3. Sunshine.  There hasn't been much of it here lately.  Just gray clouds, cold, and some rain.  I miss the sun.  I'm grateful for when it shines.  "Hey Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun....won't you please shine down on me?"

4. Bobby's rendition of "Ferdinand."  It's one of Lillian's favorite books and she asked Daddy to read it tonight before bedtime.  Bobby was totally smitten that she requested him to read it, and he put on quite a good show.  He read it with a lively Spanish accent, complete with corresponding motions and entertaining re-enactments of various scenes.  All three kids were completely engulfed in the story and Daddy's performance.  Liam gazed up at him with big, excited eyes, like he was the coolest dad in the whole world.  Lillian and Sydney laughed and squealed with delight at his performance.  Even I couldn't help but join in and laugh along.  It was the best book time ever.