D. Family Coffee Break

This is Bug. Everything about her screams "I am the boss."  (Okay, maybe she's literally screaming that.) 80% of the time, she's sweet. 20% of the time, she's a THREE-nager... ...and somewhere in between, she's...a charmer. :) My baby isn't a baby and that's happy and sad all at once.  In all of this bossiness, leading, lecturing, sweet talking, charming THREE-nager business is my baby...somewhere.  Can you help me find her?  A very inquisitive, sometimes cuddly, sarcastic, witty THREE-nager has taken over her body.  Give it to me straight- I'm not getting the baby back, huh?  (Cue scary music.)  We officially have a kid. Three-nager conversation #1: Mom:  "Bug, how was school today?" [No response.] Mom:  "Bug..how was school today?" [A bit louder.] Bug:  "Good.  Hey, mom.  Why did you say it twice?" Mom: "Because..." Bug: [Interjects] "Because you  thought ...

We spent Thanksgiving in Sacramento with the cousins and had a GREAT time.  It's not often we get to visit, so we made this one a long[er] one.  While we were there, we even got  to celebrate Ate Kaycee's 12th birthday.  12!  I can't believe it.  Niece #1, granddaughter #1 on our side, and the most amazing kid you'll ever meet.  I still remember being 19 years old, leaving our Thanksgiving meal behind, to drive to San Diego for her birth.  TIME FLIES.  I literally blinked and she turned into this gorgeous tween.   Something I never get tired of- seeing these cousins together. New Bug things: 1- Faith.  Ella's faith (and knowledge of it) is growing each day.  She's become more inquisitive about Jesus and participating during mass.  I am in awe of her thirst for knowledge.  She obviously gets her "need to know" from dad and although I find myself scrambling to give her answers in a way a 3 year old un...