Getting my kids to talk to me during the day --> crickets
Getting them to STOP talking when it's time for bed --> nearly impossible!
Tonight's back&forth with Z:
Z: If someone tells you a secret, can you tell that secret when you're dead on earth and alive in heaven?
Me: I'm not sure... I suppose so.
Z: Can persons talk when they're alive in heaven?
Me: I don't really know, but I think so.
Z: Can GG talk right now in heaven?
Me: I don't know Zay, probably.
Z: Do you think her voice is loud in heaven?
Me: I have no idea...
Z: Well I hope she's not up there yelling loud and stuff because I don't think God would like that!

Good night Zailey.

And now you are FOUR... and yet i know in the blink of an eye it will be fourteen. You are growing and learning something new every day... and as much as I'm looking forward to four, there are some things i want to remember about your year as a threenager...
You are my mini-me, my constant shadow, my "littlest bestie". You are so smart and so funny, you make me laugh every single day, and I love you with my whole heart. 
You love shimmery & shiny, you have a shirt that says "Glitter makes me smile" and that pretty much sums up your motto in life. You are a feeler of big feelings, passionate about so much, you are quick-witted and sassy as the day is long. And most days I love that about you. You are a lover of gymnastics and pretend, Barbies and makeup. You're eager to grow up and it's happening all too quickly.
You will be a leader. You will not go with the flow because that's not who you are... My prayer for you is that you will go with Jesus. Commit yourself to the Lord and let Him use you to do great things!
You make our family perfectly complete. You make me a better mom. You make this world a better place.
Happy Birthday Zailey Belle! I love you to the moon & back & back again. XOXO

you!

Most of Zailey's adventures happened "lasterday"
It's too adorable to correct.

"Lasterday" she was leading Fancy around our house by her collar.  She said "I just love this pink collar that Fancy has.  (and in the same breath) One time, when I was a dog, I had an Elsa collar."

Uh, what?

She's also very concerned that when someone leaves our presence that they give EVERYONE a proper goodbye.  It often leads to meltdown city.
I'm praying that this is a phase, or I just might lose my mind.

When you have a blog devoted to one of your children, it only seems right to have one for the other kid too.  I started writing our Javisms down just before Javik turned 3, and I realized recently how glad I am that I took some time to blog his funnies!  He's grown so quickly that those toddler years seem a lifetime ago...
Zailey Belle has been a "threenager" now for 2 months, so I'm a little behind, but I don't want to lose the picture of the Diva that she is right now!
So this blog is for her.  I chose the title "The Word from Z" because that's exactly what she delivers.  If ever there was a 3 year old who just knows what. is. up., it's Zailey Belle Hodson.  She does not hesitate to let you know what is up either.
And I love it.

A few words to get started:
Z & I stopped at a gas station, where she requested a cappuccino, or "chocolate coffee" as she calls it.   I told her I didn't think that was a great idea... to which she replied "Fine!  Now I won't have anything to drink, and my life is ruined!"
#DramaQueen

 I'm told frequently (mostly by my own parents) that she is a mini version of me.  I choose to see that as a compliment.  Sometimes it's more obvious than others:  like her demonstration of compassion.  Our friend Aaron was helping us at our house when he groaned about something.  I told Z "Mr. Aaron needs your help! Go check on him!"
Most little girls would have seen the chance to take care of someone, or kiss a boo-boo... She walked in to where he was & I heard her ask him, "WHAT are you crying about?!"

She also clearly inherited the JD Brown art of storytelling (read: making things up).  Everything she sees (in life or on TV) or hears about, she adopts as her own life story.  Most of the time her stories begin with "One time, my teacher, Pink Mrs. Kottwitz...."  Either her teacher or her "students" have bitten her, tackled her, taken her on vacation, driven her to the mall... you name it - she's done it.
One night she spent a good 10 minutes telling my dad a rather detailed story about how she'd recently been so sick that she had to go to the hospital because she ate some bad squirrel meat.
I can't even help you process that one...

So Z, this blogs for you!  I so look forward to the future of being your mom.  I hope we'll always be "besties" and that you'll never, EVER, doubt how much I love & adore you!  You are my treasure!  I'll try my best to record your funnies & your highlights & your big moments here for you.
And, I'm going to go ahead & say it... thanks for the laughs!