Clane in charge.

I put Claire and Jane in charge of the household while Mr. Nielson and I 

were gone to Laguna Beach last week for the wedding.

For three days and two nights Clane took over the house, the boys, and Lottie.

They made meals, cleaned the house, made lunches for school, 

put everyone to bed, woke everyone up, and never complained.  Never complained.

Jane sent me pictures of her and Lottie reading stories in my bed, 

playing fairies outside, and Claire moved Lottie's mattress off her

 bed and on the floor of Claire's bedroom so they would be close at night.

Today after the Little Nies got home from school, I picked up Nicholas's

backpack from off the floor to hang up, and noticed inside
was a little note Claire had written him.

In Claire's maternal wisdom, and knowing

 Nicholas would be nervous knowing he wouldn't be able to call me or
Christian if he needed anything while we were gone, she had written
her phone number on the note.

I also noticed that the kids had read two chapters of scriptures
 together because this morning when we went to read, my book was 

  two chapters behind.

Ollie informed me that they had kneeling prayers together each morning

before school.

I don't even think I could pay the best babysitter in the world to do as good of

job as Clane did.

 I feel a little weepy as I type this.  I am so grateful for good children,

specifically for good daughters who are practicing their mothering skills 

and talents on their siblings so they will one day

 become amazing mothers in their own homes and 

with their own children and families.