Mouses in Houses

 Eli and Liesl were in Dad's room this morning and Eli said, "Mouses like our house because we're rich."

Liesl agreed, "Yes!  And we have lots of cheese!"

Sharpies, Thanksgiving visitors and the Dead Piper Monster

 This morning I looked up from where I had been praying next to the side of the tub and saw a Sharpie lying innocently in the tub, scattered among the other bath play toys. Yikes!  So truthfully, accessibly placed and terrifying all at the same time.

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Piper was chasing the kids amuck last night, and they LOVED it.  She confided in me that the monster liked to sleep a LOT, and during one such restful period the little minions decided to test to see if she was dead with various methods and amusing conversations, such as sticking their fingers in their ears, jumping on her, "I think she's dead," "No, she isn't!" and other such fun statements.

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We have Tova and Ben visiting which means LOTS of amazing food (Ben has quite the knack for delicious food), a LOT of laughing (Tova is still quite the lovingly joyful tease) and LOTS of games, which I love!  At one point, I heard that Quinn, Tova, Piper, Maia and Xai were playing "Imagine If" and Quinn went to use the restroom.  When he left, he was ahead.  When he got back, he was behind.  Hmmm...  Ben and Hyrum joined Mark, Oma and Opa and I in playing a table full game of Siedler (Settlers of Catan) which lasted about two hours.  They let me win, since I was the last person to play, we had great rolls the last round and they do free sharing at the end.  I think that was a bad idea because it gave me like 7 points and for anyone who's played Siedler, that is a crazy amount in one turn.  

We also played "Among Us" for like three hours last night, which is super fun with 8 people.  I think the Imposters won most of the time, and a couple times that was Liesl or Eli.  So fun! I think I got killed regularly because I would be focusing on my tasks and would decide to just hope that the person coming in the room was not a killer.  And they were.  Such fun memories!  Not nearly as fun as Tetris, but Among Us is becoming the second online/screen game that is palatable.

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Mark is also with us, which everyone LOVES!!  He is supremely the universely cherished "Markie"...which I find so fascinating because we really don't see him very often!  But from the youngest to the oldest, there is just a special halo around that good man that truly makes him special.  Can't see why some woman has not seen that halo and sought it out, but that brother of mine has a loving heart the size of the universe.

Last night, he played soccer for an hour with Eli.  He sat with Liesl on the couch during a movie, both happily side by side.  I love that Penelope will already come running up to him with delight whenever he enters the room, although that is also because he tends to come over with Oma, who also gets this reception. I am grateful that they have taken the time and energy to make themselves such a part of my kids' lives, which I know isn't practical for many of our beloved extended family.  Distances are hard and waiting for heaven or that spaced out visit can sometimes be long, but it is what it is, right?

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We are all looking forward to a dry and balmy 58 degree Thanksgiving morning for football!  We are making pies today and bookmarks, maybe...but just enjoying the day!  Quinn, bless his heart, has two more appraisals to work up, but then he should be free for the weekend. I am missing my two missionaries and Kelka (as we lovingly call his family in Hungary) but am grateful for those who ARE here.

Time to go jog with Maia and the dogs!  Huzzah!