Firsts

I took my children to see the Nutcracker for the first time Wednesday. I'm not sure why, but I tear up every time they experience a first. Their first visit to the movie theater, trip to the zoo, the beach, a football game. Their first time hiking. My daughter's first lost tooth. The first time she read a story for herself. My son's pride in his first drawing.

Getting to see the excitement in their eyes, feel it right along with them. I wouldn't trade their firsts for anything in the world.

The Eternal Optimist and the Smooth Talker

I played my sweet six-year-old in checkers tonight. When she was down to her last man, she said, "I'm alone, but that's okay. I can think better alone."

Meanwhile, this morning my four-year-old learned to say, "How you doin'?" in true Joey Tribbiani style.