We Can't Wait to Watch You

You are 9 now Big. It's your last year of single digits. Things will change for you soon. I'm sure you will start to spend less and less time around me and your sister and more and more time around your Daddy and the other men in our family. And this thought, or future reality breathes on my back and makes me try to slow down and take a deep breath and realize you will only be my little Big for a spell longer. 

When you hug me and don't let go at night just to stall-I kind of lay there a little bit and let you. When you stuff the cat in your shirt and then let him climb out so that it looks like you are puking him up, I don't say anything the first time. And when you say that I'm pretty or a good cook I make sure I say thank you each time and look you in the eye so you know I mean it and appreciate it. 

Everyone says what a good boy you are all the time. Your Grandma, your teachers, Papa's huntin' partners - they all know what Daddy and I do. You are a smart kid with a big, huge crush on the outdoors. That is your place - where you like it the most - the outside. 

Your birthday this year was in Chapin - the seed that planted your love for wide open spaces. I know that you will squeeze every drip out of 9 and we can't wait to watch you.

Calhoun

He's new. He's red. He fetches. He is Calhoun the Kitty Cat...

No You're Not

Big is a summer kid just like me. He likes the freedom that summer gives him. When that last bell in May rings and he comes sprinting outta school - it's on.

This summer Big did a lot of this...

and this...

and apparently has a new found appreciation for things like these...

because while sitting at the beach the other day I looked over and noticed his intent gaze. I said, "What are you thinking about Big?" He answered, "Am I old enough?"

No, Son. No . You're . Not.

How Did You Get Here

Big day round our house and it started early. Lil' woke up with a smile on her face and her first words were "I'm so excited!" Big didn't share the same sentiment but still got up without an attitude which is a huge favor. There were no tears on either of their parts this morning and I held it together at drop off but a little one slipped out on my way to work. They both have great teachers this year and their Emmie will be right there with them every single day. That makes my heart feel hugged. 4th grade and Kindergarten - How did you get here??

Please notice Big's VERY forced smile...

The One and Only

Lil' loves a cell phone. She wants one of her own so badly. Of course she's only 5.975 years old so we don't let her have one but needless to say she spends a lot of time on ours. She loves to play all the games, sometimes she'll record a video of herself but lots of times, we retrieve our phones to find many, many self portraits of the one and only...

Last.

Last week was IT for us. The last dance. The last hurrah. The last of our summer free for all. We spent each day doing as much fun stuff as we could. Lots of beach days, fishing days, bowling, bike rides, ice cream, staying up late. Soaking up each scorching hot second and trying to make it last and last. Before last week got here, I was really dreading it. I hate lasts. But the lasts gave me some of favorite summer memories and moments to hear things like....

"I wish I could start this day all over again."

"Thanks for taking us Mom."

"Thanks for making that happen."

and these moments will stick with me. They will last.

We All Have Fun

Camp She-Me is a little something we all look forward to every summer. When it's time for Camp She-Me it means that we get Miss E all to ourselves for a whole week and that means we are all gonna laugh a whole bunch. It also means that we are gonna go to the beach, the water park, the children's musuem, swim in the pool, eat chicken nuggets and gelato and play with every single toy in this house. It means that we . all . have . fun .