We recently got back from an 11-day trip to the Midwest where we got to see most of my family, my two best friends from high school, and a lot of extended family.
I try to avoid posting pictures of other people's kids on here unless I have permission, but here are a few I can post. Alex and Will had a wonderful time.
Alex has become an excellent traveler, I have to say; traveling is geography come to life so as long as he knows where we are, what the schedule is and who all these people are, he tends to be pretty cheerful and flexible. Will was so excited about all the people and all the activities (especially at family camp where there was swimming, boating, archery, etc., and lots of new friends) that he was bouncing all over the place.
At the zoo we visited with their cousins (Alex loves zoos, and maps, so it's not surprising that he now collects zoo maps!). Will is now obsessed with wolves and insisted on getting his picture taken with a picture of a wolf.
Breakfast at a hotel along the way. A&W wanted to wear their A&W shirts this morning. (I need to start checking eBay for A&W shirts a size up; they've had these for a couple of years now!)
Will insisted that Shadow the Hedgehog has all of Will's personality and characteristics. He tucked Shadow into bed next to Alex in his place. ;)
A few glimpses of fun at family camp:
Photo op at the Hoedown on the last night of family camp:
What is it that makes time go on fast-forward as your kids get older? It is surreal to me that I now have rising third graders.
They definitely grew and changed a lot this year. Overall I'm a fan of age 8, though not super wild about the sass and know-it-all defiance. Also, will they ever stop bickering? I guess I was in junior high before my siblings (4 years older, 2 years older, and 6 years younger) and I really started getting along, so ... we'll see how this goes.
I love comparison pictures, so here is First Day of 2nd grade, back in August:
They definitely grew a few inches this school year!
Will: "Here, I'm going to serve you your snack." Alex: "Um, that's OK; I want to do it myself." Will: "I'm making a goal of becoming a nicer person, so you're ending my life here!" So then we had a conversation about the importance of respecting other people's "no" without punishing them. (Thank you, Cloud and Townsend.) And how that's part of becoming a nicer person.
Today was very exciting; Alex and Will had the opportunity to make a snowman for the first time in a very long time. They named this cheery little fellow "Luke Reginald."
And catching up on recent anecdotes:
February 8, 2017
"I'm graceful but I'm also impulsive. I'm
glad God gave me ninja-like powers. And I'm glad for especially the help of
Dad. He trains me in ninjitsu." (Bet none of you can guess which kid said
this.) His brother, on the other hand, said, "Can I go to rest time early?
I need to be in my room by 4:00 because that's when I'm taking my stuffed
animals on their field trip." "Oh? Where are you going today?"
"Pompeii."
February 14, 2017
(overheard) Alex: You were mean to me when we were in Mom's
belly! You were kicking my bubble! Will: Well, you were kicking *my* bubble!
February 24, 2017
While stirring something, I mentioned that the
tip of my pinky finger accidentally brushed the batter. Will said, "That's
fine. Your germs aren't dirty; they're sweet, like you are." I guess I'll keep
him after all.
March 7, 2017
Quotes from dinner Will: What's the most beautiful place you've
ever been to? Alex: Hmm, I can't think of one ... Me: KiawahIsland? HuntingIslandState Park? The mountains
in NC with the waterfalls? Alex: I think it would actually be Grandma and
Grandpa's house [i.e. the house I grew up in, in Indianapolis], because the trees there are
really beautiful, don't you think? *** Me to Tom: What do you think we should do to
celebrate our anniversary this year? Will: I know! You could play a game of Monopoly
while you babysit us!
Alex: So today at recess I was playing with Ellie and Charity- Will: So you were playing with my girlfriend, and my girlfriend's friend? Me: So Ellie is your girlfriend? Will: Oh yeah. Since earlier in the year. Alex: You know you're not allowed to have a girlfriend yet, right? (Note: This is not something we've really talked about. Because, you know, they're in 2nd grade.) Me: Well, technically that's true. You can start dating when Dad and I decide you're ready. Will: Well, we're not *dating.* She's just my girlfriend. Me: Oh? What does that mean to you, that she's your girlfriend? Will: Well, it just means we might date someday. It's like being married. But not yet. Me: Um. Will: And every time Ellie sees me, she blushes. Me: (because I like to ask them questions just to see what they'll say) So how old do you think you'll be when you're allowed to date? Will: Oh, I don't know. 18 or 12.
First off, a shout-out to any Siestas who drop by from Beth Moore's blog! :) I am excited about our Scripture memory team this year. My verse for the second half of January:
And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands—yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it. Psalm 90:17 AMPC That's an amplified version, so it might sound a little repetitive? But I love it. Savoring the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God. And praying he will confirm and establish the work of our hands this year!
OK, back to the post title.
Seriously. These tiny little babies:
turned 8 years old.
And for good measure, them on Christmas Eve, two weeks before their birthday:
For their birthday, I let them skip school and they had a fabulous day at the children's museum and Chuck E Cheese (they each got to pick a place) with their aunt, uncle and cousin who were visiting from Texas.
My husband was in Israel on their birthday having amazing, life-changing experiences, so we are finally doing their family birthday celebration tomorrow.
So yeah ... 8.
Parenting has been nothing like I thought it would be. Partly, I'm sure, because I NEVER imagined myself having two at once. I always imagined myself easing into motherhood all snuggled up with one peaceful baby. (I'm funny, I know.) Cherishing that time with just one before my attention was split in two or more directions; ironically, that was one thing I most looked forward to about having my first child! God had his reasons for sending my second child along for that same ride. And it's not always so bad ...
Even eight years later, though we've certainly moved past the Survival Mode of the first year or five, it can still be pretty challenging. There are a lot of medical issues in our family. Will and Alex are polar opposites. They love each other, they expertly press all of each other's (and their parents') buttons, they fight frequently, they wrestle and laugh and scream and tattle, and I'm praying that at some point, iron will sharpen iron.
In some ways, not much has changed.
There are definitely some amazing moments. Many laughs and, increasingly, deep and meaningful conversations. Alex is conscientious, a little geography professor, sweet-natured, book-loving, a born traveler, and thrives on routine and traditions. Will is "wide open," a born leader, spirited, surprisingly articulate, energetic, extroverted and thrives on attention and drama!
I look forward to seeing what the next year will bring.
This might sound weird, but I don't get that excited about New Year's Eve ... However, I love New Year's Day. I love new beginnings and fresh starts. I know a lot of people peter out on their new year's resolutions, but over time I've become more consistent about meeting more of my goals.
I am always looking for ways to improve my health and I'm really looking forward to a new online course by Crystal Paine, aka MoneySavingMom: 15 Days to a Healthier You! It's $15 right now so hurry up and buy it if you're interested. I've done several of her online courses and never been disappointed, but one thing I really appreciate is she always offers a full refund, no questions asked, if you end up feeling like the course isn't a good fit for you.
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