Marci and I finished working out in the basement -- a grueling, gut-wrenching abdominal work-out -- just prior to getting the kids up for the day.? We opened their doors breathlessly and retreated to the dining room to catch our breath, while pouring bowls of breakfast cereal for the children.? As they started to emerge from their warm, tousled, sleepy stupor, the kids marveled at our hot, sweaty condition.? They could tell that we had worked ourselves especially hard.

Cor, in particular, seemed concerned.? He put his hand on Marci's leg to express his support.? Immediately, however, he lifted his hand and exclaimed, "Are you wet, Mama?!?"

Before Marci could answer, he switched to more reassuring tones.? "Dat's okay... Dat's fine, Mama."? He retrieved a nearby sponge and wiped his mother's leg, mimicking an action that he's seen performed a thousand times in his young life.? "I clean it up."