Nightime routine

Part of our nightime routine besides potty-time, brushing and reading a book is saying prayers. Tonight was an unusually late night for us and Ella was getting a bit delirious as we were trying to say our nightly prayer. When we were finished praying with her she wanted to keep going. Nothing wrong with that. I encouraged her to keep praying and despite being in a state of delirium she did so. Here was her prayer as I listened through the door...

"Dear Jesus, I pray for Kennedy, Ty, Gigi (long pause), Gianna (same person as Gigi), Keelan, Kennedy, Ty (long pause...I think she couldn't remember Kennedy & Ty's sister's name), aannnd....AMEN!!! amen?" Yep she was done.

I like how emphatic she was with the first AMEN but then questioned herself with a very soft "amen?" Almost to say, "is that all I wanted to say?"

How her mind works...

I am probably not the only mother of a toddler who sometimes thinks that our children are capable of understanding more than they really do.

Case in point: Today Ella and I took a trip to Costco for some much needed items. Two of which were gifts for a couple of birthday's coming up for Ella's playdate friends. I explain to Ella that these are gifts for her friends and she seems (at the time) to be o.k. with the idea that they are not for her. Of course our conversations for the rest of the time we were in Costco rarely was off the subject of these two toys. We talked about why we were giving gifts and why there was two of them and why she couldn't open them. When we arrived home and as I was getting Ella ready for her nap she and I had the following conversation:

Ella (anxiously excited): I can't wait to give Haily and Kayden (twins) their toys for their birthday.
Me: I know, do you think they will be suprised?
Ella: Yes
Ella: Mom, I want to have a baby like Hailey's.
Me: Well, you never know if mommy and daddy will get you one for your birthday.
Ella: Which one?
Me: Well, it will just have to be a suprise.
Ella: Can I have it now?
Me: No, it isn't your birthday.
Ella: hmmm, so I can have the baby for my birthday.
Me: Maybe, you will just have to see.
Ella: Can I see it now?
Me: Well, it won't be a suprise then if I show it to you now.
Ella: That's o.k. mom
Me(still pondering): _______________