A secret surprise

Here was our conversation with the kids after dinner one night last week:

Me: So we have a surprise that we've been keeping a secret for a long time now.  (That got all the kids attention very quickly).  A secret surprise.

Dan: We're moving to Utah?!

Me: No.  But we are going to Seattle for Christmas.

John: Is that the surprise?

Me: No.

John: Andrew's coming for Thanksgiving?

Me: Yes!  That's the surprise!

John: Really?

Me: No, not really.  That's not a surprise because you already knew he was coming... Let's see if you guys can guess.  Ask us some questions.

John: How big is it?

Pete: About this big (makes a circle about the size of a golf ball with his hand).

John: What color is it?

Me: Kind of a peach color.  Or like the color of your skin (I pointed to Pete's cheek).

John: Hmm... What shape is it?

Pete: It's kind of in this sort of a shape (curls his body up on his chair and puts his arms around his knees).

Joe: (Talking to Dan) You can't eat that plain! (meaning he can't eat chips plain without cheese, we had nachos for dinner... he was really into this guessing game)

Me: Nope, you can't eat this surprise.

John: Is it fragile?

Pete: It's not very fragile where it's at right now.  But when you hold it, it will be fragile.

Jess: And you'll be able to hold it in about 6 months.  It's growing

Dan: Is it an animal?

Pete: ...Not really an animal.

John and Dan: Hmmm...

Me: It's actually in this room!

Dan: Where?!  (looks around the room)

John: Ok Dan, look around and let's find it.

Me: And it's sitting around this table with us.

Dan: ???

John: (with a smile) a baby.

Me: It's a baby!  In my tummy!

John and Dan: A baby!

Pete: You're going to have a new baby brother or sister! Joe, did you hear our surprise?

Joe: (Looks up from whatever he's playing with on the table.) What?

Pete: There's a baby in mommy's tummy.  You're going to have a new baby brother or sister.

Joe: Oh. (Goes back to playing)

Pete: So what do you think it's going to be?

Dan: (Chanting and moving his arm up and down) Boy! Boy! Boy! Boy!

John: Well Dan, it could be a girl... mom's the only girl.

Me: Yeah, come on Dan.


So there it is, our secret surprise.  Baby #5 is due on June 10th, 2014.