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. 

Happenings...

Thank You Edisto.

June has already come and gone. It was like a big giant gust of wind that lifted your hair and made your eyelids flutter. It was quick. Way too quick. 

We made our annual pilgrimage to the spot that makes us forget anything that is difficult for a while. These kids leave us with great memories every year. Them being there with all of us is what makes it so special. I hope they go there together no matter how old they get.

Thank you Edisto.

Scratchin' the Itch

You know those moments that you know are real but you still have to pinch yourself to believe? The Rucci's had one this weekend and it was a good one. A super good one.

Every May, Daddy gets the itch to buy a boat. Every May we take the kids and go look at boats. Every May we hope and wish. It just hasn't been the right time or the right boat. But this May... oh boy... this May... it was the right everything!

Last Friday, he came home with a big gigantic enormous unbelievable surprise!! Daddy got the itch and he scratched it!

Luke catching a 12" Trout in the castnet off the dock.

Little Big Things

Lately I've been carrying a heavy heart about how grown-up Big and Lil' have gotten all of the sudden. They take care of themselves for the most part, get their own drinks and snacks, dress themselves, tie their shoes and decide what they are going to wear. I suppose this is what Daddy and I have been working towards. This was the goal.

But this goal... this goal has left me feeling like my babies are long gone. Yes, they are kids still. They can't stay at home by themselves or drive. But I just started to wonder - Have they already learned most of the "big stuff"? Is that window closing?

So often in this blog I've begged time to slow down. I am always conscious that having 2 small kids is just a fleeting moment. A page in the book. I started the blog to capture our families moments and to make me reflect, savor and enjoy this time. I guess I've just felt like this time is winding down lately.
Sure there will be many new big things to teach them in life but most of the little "big" things are taken care of. I've been asking for just one more little big thing lately and man... I got it.

Lil' has never had an interest in learning to ride her bike without training wheels. She could care less that she cruises the neighborhood on training wheels. You can hear her coming a mile a way but believe me, it's no big deal to her. On Sunday, I told her that all I wanted for Mother's Day was for her to learn to ride her bike without training wheels. I knew she would try because that's the kind of kid she is. She is always doing things for other people. I took advantage. So sue me.

So now, we have a new bike rider in our family and she is so proud of herself. No, it didn't take 1 day to teach her like it did with Big but after 3 days of trying, that girl's got it now.

It's a blessing...this moment. And I am savoring it. I know it's one of the last little big things I'm getting and I'm so grateful for it.