It's the Little Things...

...that make my heart happy. 

Today we delivered some of Anna's too-small dresses to a neighborhood friend (it will be years before they fit Lilly and Bella).  As we approached their door, my friend opened her door with a wide smile and arms full of her own daughter's too-small clothes to pass on to Lilly and Bella (neither of us had known the other planned to deliver hand-me-downs today...).  It was a funny moment.   I so appreciate the blessing of sharing clothes and other no-longer-needed items with others.

But to top that off, after I had explained to a very curious Bella what all the things were that our neighbor had just handed us, I said to her (in Chinese and also in typical mother-fashion): "they just gave us all of these clothes for you and Lilly!  What do you say to her?"  Bella, smiling widely, began to say "谢。。。“ (Xie...) but before she got to the second 谢Xie in Xie Xie she stopped herself and said carefully "Sank You!"  (yes, with an "S" rather than a "Th") Oh my goodness, I was so proud!

Just a few minutes later, we headed to our neighborhood park for some sun and sliding before lunch.  When we arrived, the slides were all wet.  Two very disappointed little girls didn't know what to do.  One disappointed mama didn't know what to do at first either...I hadn't brought a towel and didn't want to totally soak my own bottom by sliding down first.  They were really wet.  So...Superdad to the rescue!  Tom arrived in response to my cell phone call with a nice big towel and took care of all that water for his girls.  Hooray for Superdad!

Within another few minutes, who arrives at the park but Anna (Jie Jie or "big sister" as Bella calls her) bringing with her a tote filled with stuffed animals.  The three girls proceeded to play a game of petshop, using playground mulch as their currency, and--for the first time ever--Bella engaged in imaginary play with Anna. 

Oh my heart. 

Love those little things.  They all add up to big things.