Overheard: Flashbacks

Sometime before Christmas last year, Grace (age 3) made an announcement out of the blue to Jason and me...

Grace: You two are on the naughty list 'cause y'all spank me!

Jason: Daddy doesn't spank you.

Apparently Jason was afraid of remaining on the naughty list. ;)

~~~~~

During the month of December last year, Grace began asking me what I would like for Christmas. I always replied, "obedient children." Then Josiah (my 7 year old) asked me the same question one day...

Josiah: Mom, what do you want for Christmas?

Me [without skipping a beat]: Obedient children.

Josiah [pausing, and then turning to Grace]: Hey, Grace--can we wrap you up?

I'll let you draw your own conclusions on that one...

~~~~~

Today Grace (now 4 years old) again asked me her question:

Grace: What do you want for Christmas, Mommy? And ya can't say "obedient children"!

That was my request anyway, but she protested.

Me: OK, children who show that they love each other by doing nice things.

Grace sighed, exasperated, then immediately brightened up.

Grace: I have 100 children who do that. How many do you want?

Me: Just three...one named Robert, one named Josiah, and one named Grace.

Grace: OK! You can have three.

My question is, do I have to wait until Christmas?

~~~~~

I showed Grace the huge piece of paper and crayons I had placed on the kitchen floor for her...

Grace [in a matter-of-fact way]: It's to keep me busy while you do school with Josiah, isn't it?

She was also suspicious of her infant swing at a very young age. She knew she was being "parked" there to keep her occupied.