A little dance in the mornings makes the whole day go better.

Barney says “Mom, I like it best when *you* wake me up. You kiss me and rub my back, and there’s that morning song you sing.”

It’s TIME to get up
It’s time to get UP
We’re all in our places
With sunshiny faces
This is the WAY
To start a new day

Loverboy’s nephew, Zander, is the only boy in a family of four children. He is five years old and comes over every chance he gets, to play with Barney. He has lots to say and never, ever stops jumping around and fidgeting. I am constantly saying “Please speak more quietly, sweetie, and stop jumping.”

“Oh yeah,” he says, reminded.

On weekend mornings, or as soon as the schoolbus drops the boys off on weekday afternoons, the phone rings and it’s Zander, wondering if he can come over.

We all tell each other things Zander has said, because his version of how the world works can be pretty sweet -- and funny. Loverboy is my "extra husband," for example.