First, Deep Thinker asked me a MILLION TIMES why the guy who won didn’t go first. Why did the guy who lost give his speech first? That doesn’t make much sense he said.

During the speeches, he asked me over and over and over, “Okay, what’s he saying? What’s that stuff MEAN?”

Then Obama concluded his acceptance speech. The crowd in front of Obama was clapping their hands and waving their flags.

My little Deep Thinker said, “Look! Everyone has little American flags!” Then he looked at me with his eyes open wide–and as seriously and innocently as only a child could, he asked, “Are the people at McCain’s speech waving their flags too, Mom?”

Image Credit: Photographer Stacy Braswell

My friends and I talk often about those moments when we realize that we’re doing everything except spending time with our children–cleaning, cooking, using the Internet, talking on the phone…Meanwhile the kids, of course, are begging for attention.

Well, here are two posts that will put a quick stop to THAT. The first is by a father named Jeremy Biser whose wife just recently gave birth. They are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. The second is by a mother named Amanda who really, really, really wanted a child (and now has a gorgeous daughter):

http://discoveringdad.blogspot.com/2008/06/premature-heartache-darkness-before.html

http://hazelana.blogspot.com/2008/05/100-days-365-days.html

Need some tissues? I sure do, and I’ve already read both of these more than two times!

I wanted to teach him about forgiving and moving on. So I told him about the time my sister tore my favorite swirly-q picture. I was about 7, and she was 5. I liked drawing swirly-q’s and coloring them in. But every time I drew one, it turned out crooked, too dark, or too small. But finally, one day, I did it. I drew the perfect swirly-q ! I was sooo happy!

A few minutes later, my sister asked me to play inside with her, but I refused. Out of anger, she tore my picture in half. To Deep Thinker, I pointed out that my sister didn’t want to hurt me or my picture. I said, “See, sometimes little brothers and sisters do things like that. It doesn’t mean they want to hurt you–it sometimes means they really need your love and attention.” He got it. Or so I thought.

About 30 minutes later he comes up to me. I could see from his face that he was horribly upset. His little chin was quivering, and his mouth was pinched. I asked, “Are you okay? What’s wrong???? ”

He said, trying really hard not to cry, “Why don’t you buy a new curly thing NOW, Mommy?” I asked “What?” He said, “The thing that your sister BROKE. Why don’t you buy one for yourself now, Mommy?” He wanted me to buy myself another swirly Q picture that wasn’t torn. So compassionate.

He felt totally better after learning that my father had taped my picture back together for me:)

This totally made me cry.

We practice reading a lot now. He can sound out the first few letters of words and guess what they are based on the story beyond that.

I asked why he did that.

And he explained, “Well, then I can buy something for ya, Mommy. When something is too expensive. If you see something you like, for example a really pretty dress, I can help you buy it. Also, if you want a car, and you almost have enough money to buy it, but you don’t have enough…Just ask me, and I can give you some quarters.”

SO ADORABLE.