Every Last Drop

Sorry kids... It's been a while.

Yesterday Big was sick and we snuggled up in my bed. I pulled out the journal I had started for him years ago and began to read it to him. He was shocked at the letters I had written and so happy to hear all the stories from long ago.  So that was inspiration enough for me to rat a tat tat on the old keyboard and put some updates down. 

In October, Daddy and I went to Cabo for Uncle J's wedding. Just being honest, I really wasn't expecting to love it like I did. But holy cow. How could you not? Cabo is EVERYTHING! The people are amazing! I know they want all my money, but hey man, it's all yours. You know why? Cause' I'm having the time of my life here and that's all that matters. Arriba!!

Epic I tell you. Epic.

We finished up that month with some trick or treating of course. Sorry but once again we will not see sweet Big's face this year. Instead it will be covered up again by some ghoulish monster. That's a hook he has around his sister's neck. He is sooooo 10 years old.

I caught some pretty spectacular pictures in early November. Real pretty autumn leaves at SpringHill, some sweet kiddos and Big being tamed by BooBoo.

The best part of November was finally being able to shout it from the rooftops that  I'm gonna be an aunt again in May!! These nieces (maybe nephew) are the absolute nicest things my brother and sister have EVER done for me!!! What an awesome little gaggle of kids we have now: Big, Lil', Miss E, BooBoo and Cheffie.

So now it's almost Thanksgiving. This year we will celebrate and be deeply grateful for our health, our family and friends and all the blessings that have been given to us. We will remember the people that we miss every. single. solitary. second. We will love each other, laugh together, and look each other in the eye. Not one moment will be taken for granted and we will soak it all up. Every last drop.

You Melt Me

Lauren turned 7 yesterday. I can't even believe it. Time is clicking by much faster than I'm ok with. She had a sleepover and for most of these kids, it was their first night away. I expected drama. I expected late night parent pick-ups. I did not expect for all of them to fall asleep before 11 and sleep all night long.

They played manhunt. They had sundaes. They had dance parties, and lipstick and jump marathons on the trampoline. There were balloons and cake and signs and screaming and running and shrieking. Lil' and her friend Ava devised a genius plan to split the 8 girls into groups. They took turns switching between the groups and each group did different things throughout the night. This made it more manageable. It was brilliant.



This girl loves her Daddy.

She also loves her new bike.



She made her own birthday sign with Ava this year.

BooBoo even had fun!! Takin a bath in the sink...



This was taken 7 years to the minute of your birth. You melt me now just like you did then.

 









Double Digits

Big's birthday was an easy one. He wanted to do something fun and he wanted all his friends there. Not too hard to figure out, right? Think again friends. Think.again.

I have a finicky 10 year old. He doesn't know what he does want but he has a lot to say about what he doesn't want. We had the hardest time coming up with an idea but then it hit me - bowling would be the simplest thing possible. It's not my house, all the kids like it, boys are competitive... perfect.

The invite turned out precious...

 

 

And even Lil' had fun... 



 

Daddy just ordered a drink and closed his eyes and started handing out quarters...

Then we moved to bowling.

Big's done with being 9.

 

We started and ended Big's Birthday bonanza by being on the boat of course. Welcome to Double Digits!

 

 



I Made Pancakes

I'm trying to pretend like today isn't really happening. It's not really working out though. Every where I turn I see it...August 21st. If it's not the date, it's someone asking me if you made it to school alright. Or did I cry. Or did you cry. What did I make for breakfast. On and on.

It is seriously unbelievable to me that she is a 1st grader and he is a 5th grader. Can someone please tell me when this happened? All I did was blink and bam! Here we are.

I'm so proud of each one of you. Her because she is so stinking sweet. And loving. And thoughtful. And him because he is ridiculously smart. And cool. And fun to be around.

I watched you pull out of the driveway and yes, there was a lump in my throat. You did make it to school alright. No, neither of you cried. And I made pancakes.

Every Day, Every Hour

There are so many things I want to remember from this summer. Spots of time that I will never forget.

Watching you glide up on the wake board for your first time. Seeing you sliding across that water, the sun at your back, so little in the big ole' harbor.

I wanna remember the big gap in your teeth. Amazing how so much nothing gives you so many somethings. Grins and whistles and cool new ways to drink your juice.

Baby toes in beach sand and Miss E learning to swim. Little moments that grab that spot in your throat and make you swallow hard because you know you are right.there.in.it... That Moment.

Drinking cokes and road trips. Hundreds of miles driven to visit, lay eyes on people and hold on to places. 

Tough long goodbyes to spots you thought would never leave you. And good friends who help you through it.

Lots of time spent with family and friends. Diving in, soaking up and rolling by. Big plans and bike races. Handfuls of gum balls. 

Boat trips and new places. Sunsets and dolphins. Remembering that we are lucky.

Watching you turn cartwheels - sucking your tummy up tight. Hearing your manners and feeling so proud that you are mine. My boy. My girl.

What a gift this summer has been. The chance to see you, watch you, be with you. It has been my pleasure and my joy every day, every hour.