The things they say

Mr Three's "Chinese Salami"
(aka Japanese Tsunami)

And another....
Mr Three: "....Was I in your tummy then mummy?"
Mr Five, the all-knowing big brother: "No, you were still in God's power then.  He held you in his arms, like a baby, up there in heaven [raise eyes and throw head heaven-ward], he was making you really super great, giving you big muscles and a smart brain and making you the best. 
Then it was dark and he just chucked you down. And, well, that's it."

More please Mummy Ducks!!

Boogey woogey bugle boys

“All the lectures you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do.
Though I might not understand you and the fine advice you give.
There’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.”
Edgar Guest
When I read this I started planning a behaviour to teach my children by osmosis. But the actions I wanted to change were the ones I wished were better in myself, not my children.
The more I thought about it, the less I could find something in them which needed changing, because today, they are perfect.
Then, at school this morning, I watched as the "bell" - which is actually music - went off. Up til now it has been Vivaldi's Four Seasons, which is better than any coffee or bucket of water to wake me up, so I imagine it's a magical way to start a little person's day.
Today it was changed, to a rock song.  The school playground stopped in it's game-of-catch tracks, and began an en mass uniformed boogey.  Faces were shining, cheeks were laughing, arms were stylin' and bottoms were waggling their little hearts out. Fantastic!
So the behaviour I decided to model for my children was dancing.
We practiced tonight.  I taught our baby girl the polka from the comfort of my arms - she roared with laughter and sparkled with excitement. Who says you need leg control to be able to dance! Our Action Man did some hip hop to Vivaldi, at the same time expending some of his never ending supply of energy, and giggling til he fell over. Big brother Mr Cool School was conducting Vivaldi's orchestra amdist the Indian dancing he learnt this week at his wonderful school. "MORE MORE MORE!!!" 
I forgot how I LOVE dancing.  It made me smile, and it's been a while.  In fact, I laughed til I had tears and was on the floor giggling with the three of them too. I saw that our precious little girl will never be lacking despite her setbacks, when she has this kind of spirit in her life. That her brothers will encourage it for her sake, and benefit by the tonne from it too. So dance we will, every single day. 
Kids are extraodinary in what they can teach you.