Sunrise

"Mama, it's not daytime,"  Josie insists.

I have just crawled back into bed -- my bed -- with Josie and Zeke, where they are cuddled up together.

"It's time to get up, kiddies."

"Noooo, it's still dark out.  How can it be daytime if it's still dark out?"

"Well, it's fall now, and soon it will be winter.  When it's fall and winter, the days are shorter, and it stays dark longer."

Josie sits up and looks out the window.  "Look, Zekey!  Look!!"

Zeke sits up.  "Oooooh, the sky is turning pink!"

"I know!  Isn't it beautiful?  Look, Mama!  Pink sky!  It's very beautiful."

Then they lie back down, each with their head on my shoulder.  I hug them close and kiss them on the tops of their heads.

"Mrawr.  Mama, I'm a baby tiger," Josie says.

"Me, too," says Zeke.

They both start talking baby talk, cooing and nuzzling up against me.

"Good little tigers," I say.

I think about how sweet they both are, and how I should appreciate the fact that they still love hugs and snuggles and cuddles.  And one day they won't.

"Mama, did you know that bats are nocturnal?"  Zeke asks.

"I did know that."

"Nocturnal means they sleep during the day."

"Yep.  Very good!"

Zeke sits up.

"Look, Josie! Look at the sky now!"

"Wow!  It's pink and purple now!  Mama, pink and purple are my favorite colors!"

"I know, honey," I respond.  "What a beautiful sky."

Josie looks over at Zeke.  "Zekey, lift up your arms."

He gives her an amused look.  "Why?"

"Just lift up your arms."

"Okay."

He lifts up his arms.  Josie wiggles her finger into his armpit and giggles.  "Pit potatoes!  I'm pulling out your pit potatoes."

Zeke laughs, giving her a look like she's the cutest little thing in the world.  Then he turns around and sits facing us.

"Mama, am I going to be hairy when I grow up?"

"Probably."

"Why?"

"Well, you've got the skin and hair from my side of the family, and the men in my family are pretty hairy."

"Will I be hairy like Sam and Josh?  Will I have hair on my chest?"

"Yes, I think so."

"My legs are already pretty hairy.  Feel them!"

I rub my hands on his legs, chuckling to myself.

"Mama?"

"Yes, Josie."

"I love you."

"Me, too, Mama!  I love you!"  Zeke adds.

"I love you, too.  I love you both very much."

Josie sits up and looks at the sky again.

"Aaaaaaand it's blue."

We get up and get ready for the day.