It's Super Bowl Sunday. We went over to a friend's house and hung out, ate completely unhealthy food, laughed and had a nice time. The kids played so nicely, which always makes me love our 3 year old just that much more. When we got home, Hayden and I cuddled up on the couch and talked. Like, really talked. Cameron was on the phone with his dad discussing the outcome of the game and our possible upcoming purchase of a Vanagon (that's another story) and Hayden and I talked. I told him that Valentine's Day was coming up and explained that Valentine's Day is all about telling people that you love them. To which he replied, "I want to tell people that I love trucks". I returned with explaining how the holiday is about telling PEOPLE that you love THEM, not that you love THINGS that you have or that they gave you. It's about loving people. "Oh", he said. He asked who Cameron was talking to on the phone and I told him that he was talking to "Papa". I asked him what he loves about Papa, to which he replied, "He is funny and makes me laugh, and he tries to get my neck". Then I asked what he loves about Grandma and he said he loves "that she likes to play games with him and go on walks". Then on to Poppy, who tickles him and says silly things and has a cool mustache, and then Dad, who roughhouses and takes him places, and is funny. Then he said that he loves his house. I asked him why he loves his house and his reply was, "because it is cozy. There is a lot of cozy stuff here like the big chair and the couch and the other couch and my bed". We were lounging on the couch with my arms around him and he said, "Mom, your arms are cozy too and even if you went outside in the wind and your arms got cold, if you wrapped them around me, I would still feel cozy". All together now...AAAwwwwwwww. That brought tears to my eyes. Then what he said next, just put me over the edge....he said, "I love my family too and it makes me so happy when my family is happy". I told him that it was me and dad's job to make sure that we do everything we can to make sure our family is safe and happy. He said, "that's a big job", and all I could do at that point was shake my head, yes...yes, indeed, it sure is a big job. But, one of the most important jobs we will ever do. It sure is nice to check yourself every now and again, and taking the time to talk, actually talk, to a young person will do the trick every time. -- mam