J: Hey, nice basket, mom! It keeps everything tidy.

Me: Yeah, I got that last night. You like it?

J: Yes, I like that it is blonde. And braided.

Me: Did you just call that color blonde?

J: Yes.

Noah made Joseph a pancake with a smile made of whipped cream, blueberry eyes… “Joseph, what face should this next one be?”

“Santa Claus!”

(Guess we’ll have to use a little more whipped cream on this one….)

While I was in the shower, kids went down to make breakfast. It was very quiet for a while… but Joseph has set up each of them with cereal, raisins, prunes, Craisins and croutons.

“Maddie wanted Cornflakes!” He says. “And croutons.”

“Nice setup you guys have here.”

“It’s sweet,” Joseph says, taking a bite.

“How much sugar did you put on?”

“None. I mean this! This is sweet.” He looks around.

“What do you mean?”

“Sweet. Like, love. It’s sweet like love. And I love this, I just love it.” He looks around, smiling.

I turned on a humidifier in Maddie’s room. “It puts moisture into the air to help her breathe,” I explained.

Joseph come in 20 minutes later. “Do you know what a dehumidifier does? It takes moisture out of the air…” “That’s right!” I say. “…so babies can’t breathe!” he continues.

I’m a surprising man. And a talented one, too. And I’m wearing a belt.

Rice-a-roni…that’s a treat from somewhere. It’s like macaroni and cheese. My friend Autumn had it at school. What state is that a treat of?

San Francisco.

Yes! Rice-a-roni, that’s the San Francisco treat!

Me: Joseph, how would you like if we read part of a chapter book before bed? Instead of the short library books, I read you 20 minutes of a longer book.

J: What?! (Flabbergasted) How am I possibly going to pay attention if there are no pictures?? (He flips up the cover of a book of the counter and lets it drop. He leaves, shaking his head, disappointed with my idea.)

A Joseph Says contribution from Joseph’s teacher!

J: Feel my cheek Miss Cyndy.

Miss Cyndy: It feels nice – smooth and soft.

J: No, I feel it’s sort of rough because I’m growing a beard.

(He’s pointing out the stubble…which is under the peanut butter, maybe…)

Me: What should we do this weekend, guys?

J: We should figure out rocket science!

Noah: That’s pretty ambitious.

J: But you and mommy can figure it out.