Sweetest Baby Boy

John-Philip has to be the sweetest baby boy I have ever known. The kid is always smiling, which is a constant reminder of how good God is to me. I mean part of that in a funny way because my son-in-law is not a "smiler", and I was afraid John-Philip wouldn't smile. However, seriously I did pray God please let that baby be happy and smile. He smiles ALL THE TIME, unless he is just horribly sick, which he has been a couple of times. You never have to coax him. The other day Kacey, John-Philip and I were about to get out of the car and we were talking about his smiling. We decided to experiment, we turned around and just looked at him. He immediately began smiling, that big beautiful smile. We just stared at him. After a couple seconds he just stared at us with his smile slowly fading. He would start to smile again but just look back and forth at us wondering what was going on. I felt terrible I couldn't continue so I smiled and he got his big smile back looking rather relieved.

You know it was funny then but as I am writing this now, it makes me realize how important your expressions are to the little ones. So keep on smiling everybody.

Maddie, it will be alright!

Tuesday, Malachi and Madison had to go to the doctor for a check-up and shots. Madison went first as Malachi set on the examining table at the top by Madison's head. Madison made it through the first two shots but on the third one she let out a squeal and began to cry. Malachi being the loving brother that he is gently put his hands on both sides of Madison's face and said, "Maddie, it's gonna be ALRIGHT!" Then, he promptly looked at his mom and said, "I ain't doing that", and jumped from the table and headed for the door. Rhonda and the nurse captured him and he took he shots against his will but as bravely as possible. He tried so hard not to cry. With tears in his eyes he kept making funny little laughing noises to keep from crying.

The sweetest part was after they headed home. Here is what Malachi told Madison. Maddie, whatever you want to do I will do it with you. We are going to MeMe's tonight and whatever you want to take I will help you get it and I will carry it for you.

How precious is that? I tell you the things children say are so precious. We have never had twins in our family and watching them has been so fun. They are so close.

BUBBLE BATH?

Who would have dreamed you could really get that much out of an ENTIRE bottle of liquid soap?
I have had the extreme pleasure of having my "Bookers" (grandbabies) 4 days a week for the last couple of weeks. Well, when you can't get outside and you have done everything else...a bubble bath is a good idea. (or is it) Madison and Malachi love taking baths. They don't take baths together anymore, but...at MeMe's house with the jacuzzi tub and all the bubbles we make an exception from time to time. After all they can't see each other for all the suds. With the toys in place and the jets going and the bubbles forming I left for a couple minutes to ask Poppa about his meeting he just got back from. Before leaving the bathroom, I said, "no more bubbles and no more water". Well I think my couple of minutes went a little longer. As Poppa and I sit in the other room just enjoying listening to the laughter of our precious, obedient, beautiful grandbabies; we noticed the giggling was really intense. Then we hear..."MeMe you need to come here." A quick glance at Poppa and then off to the bathroom. I just stand there for a second. They are looking at me not sure whether they were in trouble. They only called me in there because they could no longer find the button to turn off the jets. I roll up my pant leg and got in to get the jets turned off. I turned to look at them the anticipation still on their little faces. I laughed and then of course I went for the camera.

Now you can tell by the pictures that they were really repentant over using the rest of the liquid soap and adding more water after being told not to.

I couldn't even rinse them I just had to dry off all the bubbles. They were very sticky. Here is the worst part of all. I am dealing with bronchitis right now, so I didn't really feel like cleaning the tub right then. The next morning I tumble out of bed, truly desiring a nice hot bath only to be rudely awakened by a tub of toys and soap scum like you have never seen. After writing this I realize that is what I should have snapped a picture of as to warn other brave grandparents of the after effects of the "cute little bubble bath".

So after clearing out the toys, I took a wash cloth thinking I would simply clean the tub now. That didn't happen. I realize the scum is on every surface, including candles. It can't be just wiped you had to actually scrub the thick scum. So I climb into the tub and one 45 year old leg went one way and one went the other and my arm tried to break the fall. It was an ugly sight. I can only imagine how my husband heard it. A large thud, a laugh, and then a moan.

I hear in voice that sounds like I am really afraid to ask this question. "Honey, are you okay?" Yeah, I replied. "Are you sure?" Yeah, I'm just cleaning the tub.