From the monthly archives:
Someone gave us a really special gift.
A sweet blessing, indeed.
It came with, “Get thee out of town. Take those kids to the waterpark/ fun center/ hotel/ kidheaven. Go. Have fun!”
We did as we were told.
And what is not fun about this??
Relaxing? Not so much.
But fun?
Yes. So much, yes.
Dawson actually is very happy here. Disregard his face.
So is everyone else.
I didn’t take my camera or my phone down to the water park. I rode the big scary slide with Max.
It was good.
Good for us all.
For son #5.
What. A. Joy.
Because he is.
He is such a fun kid.
He is crazy about his mom.
He’s happy with anything.
He thinks everything is fabulous.
He is relaxed. And easy-going.
I think I was due to get one…ONE…one kid like this.
Zeke chose to get a blue ICEE and a shirt for the first day of school.
He wanted the shirt to have “a bald guy, on a skateboard, about my age.”
Adorable.
We found a skateboarding shirt. Couldn’t find one with a bald 5 year old on a skateboard. 
He’s excited about school!
And he wants to be a policeman or a “fixer” when he grows up.
And yep…you guessed it.
I love him. Love him.
With my #1 son.
Who happens to be 12 as well.
Which is also what I blame the expression on.
And the fact that our first date attempt went horribly. Ugh.
I wove the white flag.
And then tried again.
AND…we redeemed ourselves.
We drove out of town.
And talked about war and politics.
Of course.
He told me he likes writing. And gym class. And lunch.
And he is thinking maybe a Navy Seal is the job for him.
His treat choice was a movie dvd.
You know…Back to school movie dvd’s.
Of course.
This kid.
Andy wept today as we talked about him.
We’re in over our heads.
We love him. LOVE him. So much.
And darn it…this parenting thing is not getting any easier….
A friend (thanks, Debi!) took these and I wanted to make sure they were included in the week-end goodness.
That’s a real smile there…
And it’s a flying Gabe here….
Zeke changed his mind about his hair cut….
Turns out, he’s still adorable….
So is he…
Who played some drums with Dad this afternoon….
And then there’s this one….too much.
We let some friends talk us into swimming tonight after a really long week.
Glad we did.
And this just makes me smile. Hilarious.
Not exactly a dive, Max.
But good try….
Son #4 took me up on date #3.
He chose a trip to the mall and to Starbucks for an Orange Izzy. (Confirming that he notices everything his big brothers do and is desperately trying to keep up.)
In the end, the little boy in him couldn’t settle for clothes.
He chose a basketball instead. And a handful of candy from the quarter machines (the kind of things we always have to say “No” to when there are six of them. When it’s just one…of course…YES…you can have a quarter. I loved that.)
He was not really into answering my questions but was showing no signs of fear or excitement about school. That’s pretty normal for him.
He was, however, interested in knowing how to skip a grade or two. 1st grade just doesn’t seem that big to him.
He still holds my hand too. I like that.
And when he’s happy, he is quite possibly the most adorable little boy on the planet. Have no fear, it doesn’t happen that often so the other boys get a chance to fill the position as well.
And it’s true. I love him way much.
Max, my soon to be 3rd grader, took the spot for date #2.
We hit Starbucks where he was all about the orange Izzy.
Then his choice was Target. For some skinny jeans. And a skater shirt.
His style these days is very unashamedly Justin Bierberish.
It works for him.
He’s not excited and not nervous about school.
I’m glad we covered that.
He wants to be a policeman or famous when he grows up.
He still holds my hand when we walk.
He can have these crazy emotional outbursts…like the one in Target.
But he’s quick to apologize.
His giggle is contagious.
And his swagger is hilarious.
I love him.
The end.
I have this game I love to play here.
Unfortunately, my children are not horribly fond of it.
They like to be assured of success. I can’t guarantee that in this game.
It’s the GPS game.
I randomly pick a place under “parks/recreation” on the GPS. Without knowing anything about them, I just pick.
And then we drive there.
And discover something new!
It’s way fun…for me.
I like finding new things. I get excited as we close in on a new location…having no idea what will be there.
Now about 50% of the time, it’s a total flop, like a grassy field or something.
Hence, the children don’t love it.
But I talked them into playing a round tonight.
And we ended up here:
Some lake. I don’t remember what it was called or how to get there again.
Everyone was swimming.
So we did too.
In our clothes. Because we weren’t prepared for swimming.
Because it’s the GPS game.
Happy Friday.
The Adventure Project got some awesome space today on the AOL homepage. That was good times too.
And now…now it’s time for bed.
We went swimming here today:
Of course, we did.
Sometimes Washington makes me so happy.
(And let’s be honest, sometimes I still cry. ).
The deep water was 100 ft deep and 58 degrees.
First of all…I would die. I don’t swim very good at all.
Second of all…that’s freezing.
Didn’t stop Dawson…
I stayed here with the little ones.
Such a fun place.
I would of spent hours here years ago when I had a house full of toddlers…I think we are just a few years past it now…
Kora took the spot for back-to-school date #1.
We hit the mall to find a first day of school dress. That’s a first for me with my only daughter.
We got yogurt with fruit on it…and a couple sprinkles…just the way the girls like it.
She wanted to buy something for Zeke the whole time. She even picked out a shirt for him before she looked at the dresses. I assured her I would take Zeke for his special date too.
We talked about starting Kindergarten. She’s excited about coloring and recess and she’s “not nervous about anything.” That’s my girl. (or not).
She still wants to be a baby doctor when she grows up. Or maybe a policewoman.
She told me she would say, “why are you going so fast?”–then take them to jail–then let them out.
This girl. She’s something. Something fierce. And I love her.
T-minus 14 days until Kindergarten!
