My best friend is moving from FL to OR next week. I am really, really sad. Our kids are close and she is like my sister. But I knew this was coming as her hubby took a job there to be near family and he's already been gone for a month. She has been working diligently on her home to prepare to sell it (did I mention she's here alone, 6 months pregnant with 4 kids?). She's amazing!

Anyway, she's been such a great example to me of how to be a fabulous mom. I know our friendship was divinely created, as she has helped me change into something better. I am really going to miss her.

Argh...

DS has a Kindergarten party next week. Instead of asking the parents for donations of food, etc., they've asked for a $3 donation. DS paid for it out of his allowance, on his own accord. His teacher was just shocked!

DD #1 WILL NOT spend her money (4 y.o.). She pays her tithing, and is saving the rest for some flavor of Littlest Pet Shop toy. Good for her. She has a goal and that makes me happy.

I feel like it is really important to teach them about money now so that they will be better off than we are. I want the best for them, as most parents want for their children. And, for me, the best for them is a working knowledge of this world, and how to deal with life.

Last night I had a discussion with my children (5, 4, 2) about prayer. To see what they thought, I asked them a few questions.

"If we ask Heavenly Father for a bunch of candy, will it magically appear?"

"NO!!!" was their answer.

"If we need help with something, can He help us?"

"Yes!"

Then I asked "If we ask for a million dollars, will He give it to us?"

My 5 y.o. son replies "Um, no, Mom. You have to work for your allowance."

You have no idea how happy I was to hear that.

...from the children I know.

10. Time out is for babies, not sophisticated 2 year-old girls

9. No matter how hard you rub chicken nuggets together, they WILL NOT make a fire

8. A DVD will not play in a VHS slot

7. Refrigerators with the freezer on the bottom are a dumb idea

6. A 1-year old can fit more than one banana in his mouth at a time

5. The cops WILL be called if you don't let your 3 year old wear a cereal box on his head

4. Those b.b. guns at the county fair (you know, shoot out the red star and win a prize) are modeled after corn kernels and a spoon (the latter being more effective on targets, especially a sibling's head)

3. Kids will clean any room in two minutes if you set a timer

2. Spit-up on a black shirt doesn't look so bad, after all

1. There's nothing better than being the apple of a child's eye