And... We're back to talking about the raccoon.

Cora heard a noise outside. She came into tell me...

"I think I heard something outside. Like a kicking noise. Like a cat. Like maybe someone kicked a cat over the fence into the woods.

One time at our old house pearl got a raccoon. And it died. And we had to throw it over the fence so that maybe something could eat it. Except we don't eat it right? Because we're not animals.

Horses are animals. But they don't eat raccoons. They eat carrots.

I didn't like to feed the horses carrots at Catie's house but now I do like horses."

Then after a few minutes back in bed...

"I think I almost heard something outside except I didn't. It was probably my horses."

Just a rational bedtime talk at the Messal house.

Mommy's College Students

Last night before dinner, we asked Cora who she wanted to pray for.

Her response?

"Mommy's college students".

I love this for so many reasons. She loves going to work with me. She is starting to "get" what I do. Maybe she thinks what I do matters. It was a great reminder to remember them in our prayers.

I should clarify. She loves all of the girl college students, and will demand attention from any of them.

When the boys come around, she gets super shy.

Uh-oh.

Holiday meaning fail

One of our neighbors went all out in Halloween decor. A graveyard. Lots of spider webs. 7 or 8 lifelike mummies and zombies on the deck. We were on our regular bike ride through the neighborhood. 

Cora: look! He decorated for Christmas!

****

Tonight Cora was looking through a Fisher Price toy book, stating everything we "need". She has a little people princess castle. She saw a boy pirate castle, said, "we don't have that cause that's for boys... Too bad... We need to get one for daddy!" 

Then she saw the fisher price manger scene. 

Cora:"oh look it's the little baby Jesus".

( making a high pitch talking-to-baby voice)

She's so cute! She's such a cute little baby she is."

Me: Cora you know Baby Jesus is a boy, right?

Cora: yes, he is. And here he's all wrapped up... like a mummy!

****

Landon, checking out a worm. The girls, attacking daddy.

Quinny giving a pre bath hair style.

She took it real seriously!

"I don't want to talk about that anymore"

Quinn was having her Sunday nap. Cora was hanging with Landon and I for sandwiches at the table. If you know us, you'll be shocked to know that Landon was watching a Tennessee post-game interview and filling me in on the future potential of Tennessee football. Shocked.

Cora: I don't want to talk about this anymore. I want to talk about dog, cats, and spiders.
Landon: OK. Well, let's do it. What about dogs, cats, and spiders.
Cora: Sometimes dogs and cats and spiders are in the road and they get smushed by cars.
 

She proceeded to tell us a big tale.

"One day my dog got ran over by a car. And I have a cat, hopey cat, and hopey got ran over by a car. Spiders get ran over by cars, too!"

Then: "and all my books got ran over by a car, too". 

Wait, what?

"When we were at our old house, Quinny went up and got all my books and brought them down and put them all in the road and they got ran over by a car. One day at our old house, all my books got ran over. They did. She did it!"

Later at a neighbors, she walked up and announced, "one day I had a doggy and a cat, Hopey, and they got ran over by a car".

They were mortified. Did that really happen? Of course it didn't!

She repeated her tale to Mia and Papw, too.

We've tried to talk a lot today about the importance of looking both ways when crossing the street, not playing in the road, etc... I'm going to need to email her teacher a warning that Cora's on a morbid kick!

 

On our way to church today Landon did comment casually on a dog on the side of the road. It was one of those grown-up comments said, then quickly hoped the comment flew over the heads of the toddlers in the backseat. 

The comment clearly wasn't lost on Cora.

At least she doesn't seem genuinely sad. She's usually pretty excited to announce the demise of the fictitious dog, cat... And spider.

1...2...3....

Here or not, here I come!

3-year-old, hide-and-seek.

Some pics with Groeber friends.

When I started grouping old pics together for blog posts, I realized we'd made some great memories with our Groeber friends. Actually, we've made way more memories than we've bothered to document, but these kids sure make great playmates.

Quinn, dressed up for a playdate.

Annalisa. This is one of the first times Annalisa was sitting up and ready to play.

Look at the ears on these two girls! Especially Quinn. I forgot about this phase where her ears looked like they were growing faster than her head. Cute little things.

Quinn got to join the big kids for dinner.

All lined up outside after dinner at the Groebers. I love that James stripped down to his undies after dinner. Funny kids!

An all-out family wrestling match.

Why are my kids dressed in Groeber kid clothes? Who knows.

Someday, when James & Cora get married, this will be on the front of their wedding book.

Oh goodness! How cute are these two?

This began the phase of the french braids. First it was Erin. Then it was one of Cora's college student helpers in her classroom. Now, Cora wants her hair in "two braids" every single day. I'm surprised by how quickly I've gained french-braiding proficiency when forced to learn on a wiggle 3-year-old every day.

All of the kids were loving on Annalisa at our house.

Oh these babies!!!

James turned 3! Look at these two cuties hanging on the blankie together.

At this party, I clearly remember what happened when we arrived. Cora & James have always been great playmates. We met the Groebers when I was full-term with Cora; they had Sean (2 at the time) and James (6 months old), but still offered to bring a meal to us. So we arrive at this party and there were already other friends there. The next thing we know, Cora & James are sitting off by themselves for a few minutes on the back porch having a conversation. Seriously. It looked like they just needed a few minutes to catch-up before all the hoopla. 

Brunch at the Groebers last week. That Erin! She braided Cora's hair 6 months ago; this visit, she put Quinny's hair into pixie ears. She looked so stinking cute! To be a mother of two little boys, she's clearly going to have no trouble dolling-up Annalisa.

Both girls are now toddling best-buddies.

They play shockingly well together. I can't think of having to referee these two yet. 

It's hard to see here, but Quinn was making the cutest face as she examined Annalisa.

Same is true for James and Cora. For as much as we play together, we spend very little time in dispute settlement. Here, they are having pancakes while perched together on a piano bench. 

Great friends!

Quinn's favorite perch

This summer, Quinn has discovered that she can sit in their baby doll stroller. We find Quinny sitting there any chance she gets.

Watching sports on the back porch with Daddy.

Eating a snack in her diaper while watching Mickey Mouse.

Asking for a little push from big sis.

Coming back from a shopping trip.

Such fun!