The nicest words..

I must record this moment for posterity, before I forget..

My boys, lately, are little tyrants. I haven't heard many sweet words for awhile...it's always get me more apple juice, I want candy, no no NO!, just one more game...etc. etc. etc. I make them say please and thank you, but it's done with reluctance and still in that slightly whiney, I am the boss voice.

So, yesterday Surprise said something that about made me fall over. We were digging out space for our vegetable garden. (Yes, I know it's probably too late for any of these seeds to grow into anything. Yes, I know I should have done this like two months ago. I was still in a funk then. I am digging and planting and remaining optimistic, anyway.) Rather, I dug during the day, removing topsoil, while they were at their schools. When they came home and saw a half dug, 20X6 inch piece of dirt, and a shovel still standing nearby, they were excited! After a few near mishaps with the big shovel, I relented, gave them trowels, and told them to dig away. They didn't get very far, but made a lot of "discoveries" as Surprise kept yelling...I made a discovery! It's a worm! I made a discovery! What is this little hole! Oldest, meanwhile, kept calling it a construction site and asking for a hammer.

While Surprise tried to dig out the grass and complained that it was hard, I dug in my shovel and pulled out a big clump of grass. He looked up at me, face filled with awe and wonder, and said "I want to be just like you."