Nails and Fire Engines

I think it's time for another Irene story or two. I put nail polish on Irene's fingernails for the wedding, and she was very excited about it. When her Grandma came to visit last weekend, I prompted her to show off her nails. She proudly held up her hands and said, "Look at my toenails!" The significance of that statement did not hit me until later. I had always before polished only her toenails.

Helen was baptized last Sunday, and after the baptism, all was quiet as we prepared to walk back to our seats. Just then, a siren sounded from the road outside, and Irene said "A fire engine!!" in a loud, clear voice. Just once wasn't enough. She is very excited about fire engines. "It's a fire engine!" rang out again in the quiet. I think I heard a little ripple of laughter, but I'm not quite sure.