Utah or New York?

I was just privy to some pretty important life planning on the part of Bennett and Chloe today. As we were driving all around town, those two decided now was the time to decide on a plan of action for their future. They decided that they do, in-fact, love one another. And the ultimate end to loving one another is marriage, right?!

So, Bennett asks me, "Mom, what's that rule about marrying someone in your family?"

"Uh", I stutter...where is he going with this..."Um, why do you ask, honey?"

"Cuz I want to marry Chloe." Awww, how sweet. I decide to let them in on a loop-hole in the law.

"Well, you might not be able to marry Chloe, but there's nothing wrong with a brother and sister sharing the same house."

Now that he feels he has the green light, they commence the planning phase of their future little lives. They were so giddy. I sat there and soaked it all up, listening as their two little pip-squeak voices volleyed back and forth with ideas.

Then, in all seriousness, being that he's the male, and in charge of things and wanting to protect his sister, he decides to get expert advice from me, the one who seemingly knows all things (at least to a 5 and 3 year old). "Mom," he asks "is there the ocean in Utah?" Thankfully, I know that one, "No honey, but there is a desert, mountains and a very big lake." That answer suffices and they animatedly continue their discussion. I wasn't able to catch it all, but this was enough:

Bennett: "Chloe, keep this in your mind forever...mountain lions like to pounce."

Chloe: "Will they eat us?"

Bennett: "Probly...but maybe if we have the chance we can run back home and get some sticks and a fire and then go back and throw it at him."

I'm assuming that this conversation came on the heals of possibly moving to the mountain in Utah...just one of their many options. Neither of them were very excited about this possibility, Bennett, not being a big fan of risk taking and Chloe, not liking to get eaten by large animals. So Bennett asks, "Mom, what other States are there besides America, Utah or Hawaii?"

Thankfully, I'm full of answers today and was able to spout off a good 5 or 6 more State options for them. By the end of our drive I heard them putting the final seal of approval on their latest plan:

Bennett: "Okay...we'll both have a convertible car, live together in the same huge house and live in New York."

Chloe: "An I will be a lellow pincess."

Bennett: "Ya."

As I open the van door to get the kids out, I notice them sitting in the back seat hand in hand. This is a first. I told Bennett, "Honey, you're being so loving today." He shrugs nonchalantly and replies, "Well, I am going to marry Chloe, so I better start showing her love."

How I'm going to miss these days the older they get.

I Don't Understand

In the wee hours on the morning, Gavin descends upon my side of the bed proclaiming that he has had a bad dream. I'm never really sure what to do in these instances. They normally just stand there after they make their statement....like I have magic powers and can undo the 'bad dream'.

I'm not so quick on my toes at 2:05 in the morning. Somehow, sleeping with Mommy in the middle of the night enables one to go back to sleep with ease and nips the 'bad dream monster' in the bud. That's how Gavin ended up sleeping with us last night.

Not even 5 minutes later, another little person enters stage left (meaning my side of the bed). I never really made it out of REM sleep while listening to Gavin, I kinda just faked it....mumbled something that sounded semi coherent and calming at the same time. I really should set up a video camera in my room in the middle of the night so I could better relate these 'non-conversations' I inevitably carry on. But anyways....all of the sudden I hear Chloe's little voice and am instantly confused. I thought it was Gavin I was just talking to...or maybe I was dreaming it was him and it was really Chloe. What was going on here...

I asked Chloe, "What are you doing? Why are you here?" I know that doesn't sound like the most loving thing a parent can say to a child in the middle of the night. The odds of both of my children having a nightmare at the exact same time on the exact same night are just too great - something else was up. I just didn't know what.

Chloe responds, "Gavin tripped over me." HUH??? I don't understand. Your room is on the opposite side of the house from Gavin's room, plus you sleep on a bed. I reasoned with myself that I didn't need to understand and just pulled her up on the bed to join the ever expanding party on my bed.

Come this morning, I asked Gavin, "What was that that Chloe said about you tripping over her last night? Did you?" He responds, "Ya, I did. She was laying at the top of the stairs when I came down to your room at 2:05am." Hmmm....clear as mud. What in the world is my daughter doing laying at the top of the stairs in the middle of the night? This could be a dangerous habit.

The investigation continues as I ask Chloe, "Why were you sleeping on the floor at the top of the stairs?"

"Cuz I wanted to see liz-uh-buh (the dog)." Made perfect sense to her. At her vantage point at the top of the stairs, she was a safe distance away, yet could still see her - but in the middle of the night??? I don't understand....