Hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving!

before bedtime

I must say that I am truly thankful for those few minutes right before bedtime when the night time routine is finished and we're waiting for the clock to strike 8:00. And no, it's not because I am excited for them to get into bed so I can have some time to myself...come on now I wouldn't want that. (OK, fine that has a little to do with it.)

After teeth are brushed, the kids get to choose whether to read with mommy or daddy or play for a few more minutes. Last night, they wanted to play, but Mikayla specifically requested, "Play for 2 minutes, then read." So, while Ryan was investigating why our oven decided to go on the fritz, I sat on the couch and watched them play. Yes, I actually sat still. I slowed down for a minute and didn't do anything. I had the best time!! They are becoming quite the entertainers. And I was thankful that I put everything else aside just to sit and be entertained.

The first video shows Mikayla goofing off. She seriously does this all the time!



In this next video you'll notice a bit of a wardrobe change from Mikayla. After doing the above "stunt" for a good 5 minutes, she realized she was a bit too hot in the purple jammies (um, I told her those PJs were for the WINTER, not the summer, but what 3-year old actually listens to that kind of common sense?)



*Please excuse the indecent exposure with the panties shot...I was trying to avoid it.

Sometimes I love just watching these two interact with each other. It makes me smile and my heart swells. I love that they are so close in age to each other...only 17 1/2 months apart. Looking back at that "surprise"!? I am actually truly thankful for it.

I have caught them playing together more and more lately (and yes, they still fight over toys...they aren't perfect) and it makes me laugh to hear some of the things they talk about. Austin calls Mikayla "sissy" and Mikayla calls Austin "buddy" (and sometimes she calls him Bolt - now that's funny!).

Man, I'm one lucky momma. I'm not sure I say that enough, but I totally am.

Thankful doesn't even begin to describe it.


**Thankful Thursday**