Like mother like daughter

My daughter was a bit upset tonight. We caught her using her Kindle when she was supposed to be sleeping, and thus the Kindle was confiscated.

She felt so guilty, she wouldn't stop crying. Matt and I tried to tell her it was okay, but she still felt sad. So I sat on her bed and began to tell her a story...

"Way back when your mom was a little girl, she used to like to read. She liked to read so much that she would hide under her blankets at night with a flashlight and book. Sometimes my mom or dad would catch me and tell me to go back to sleep, but you know what would happen only five minutes later? I would get that book and flashlight and continue reading. Sometimes I would get caught again, and sometimes I wouldn't, so I would end up reading for a long time."

Bear giggled at the thought of her mother reading books by flashlight under her bedding. She giggled again at the thought of her mother getting in trouble with her parents.

Then Bear made a confession.

"I actually use my kindle every night before bed, but I put it down when you walk by my room."

This confession made me laugh out loud.

So I hugged my daughter, kissed her on the forehead and said, "You are more like me than I realize sometimes."

The Right Reaction

Just before Christmas I remember telling the kids about showing proper appreciation for the gifts that they receive.

"It's important to be grateful for everything..."

I grilled them endlessly about how to express their thanks properly.

Then Chipmunk received a birthday present.



Looking at this picture made me realize that perhaps the kids are doing fine in expressing their thanks without my help.

What a ham.