What is it with my kids? They say and do some of the darndest things. My youngest daughter especially. I'm telling you, the girl lives in her own world. And it's a very special and happy world.

The syrup in the bellybutton is the most recent event. It started with breakfast and waffles. She was wearing her bathing suit. She's one of those kids who can't eat anything without wearing it. She gets it from her father. I'm afraid that he is the same way. When she discovered that there was syrup in her bellybutton, you would think that she would instinctively go wash it out. But, oh no! Not this child. It is much funner to show everyone how you can make your bellybutton stick together and almost disappear. Of course, this meant that all the other children had to try do the same thing and when they couldn't, that was when she proudly proclaimed, "I have syrup in my bellybutton and I like it." Yep, she's a special one. Then there's another recent event when the oldest girl was having a sleep-over and the kids were playing charades. Someone had made a guess at what the answer was, the person who was "it" said, "no, but you all just keep hollering out." Well, that was when the cute, young one decided to "holler out". No, not any words, just a nice, cute "aaahhhhh!". It was really quite funny, but I had to explain to her that was not what they meant.

I have a mommy gripe. I'm sure it's not just me. I'm sure that it's every mom. But why? My kids ALWAYS need ME! Dad can be home, standing right in the kitchen and the kids will seek me out and ask me to get them a glass of water. They are helpless and they must also think that their dad is. Here's one of my favorites...."Mom! I'm all done and my butt needs wiped!" When will this stop? OK, I know the answer...when they learn to do it for themselves. And according to the track record, I've got about two more years with the youngest. But why is it that I never hear, "dad, I'm all done and...."?