Eight is Great!

Dylan is a prototypical middle child. He never asks for much and for the most part keeps the peace (unless he decides it's time to torment Sophie). He is very much self-directed and is a great helper. If you start him on a project, he will be there until the end. He is growing up as all kids do, and I have had so much fun watching him come into his own this past year. He is quietly becoming an excellent student. He comes home and does his homework without asking. He has great handwriting, is a proficient reader and is intensely curious about science and religion ironically. He scored a near perfect math score on the AIMS test and had straight A's on his report card.

His ability to focus proved him a formidable pitcher on his little league team and he is my choice for most improved in football this year. Dylan doesn't require a lot of praise and is so quiet that he can get lost in the shuffle, but when I sit down and start thinking about his talents and abilities it's pretty impressive. My favorite thing of all about Dylan is his funny sense of humor. He can make us all laugh out loud with his antics. It's hard to explain, you just have to experience it. And if you aren't in his inner circle, you won't see it. He will play with Lani and Sophie for hours, and has a tender heart for animals and little kids. 

When I thought about what to do for his birthday, I wanted it to be special but it is so easy to cut corners with him because he doesn't really seem to care. One of our favorite stories about DB happen this spring at a Little League game he was pitching in. He was the starting pitcher and was just having an off night. Young pitchers are only allowed to pitch a certain number of pitches and they usually run out in the third or fourth inning. After throwing 12 straight balls and walking the first three batters in the first inning, Wes decided to pull him and try someone else. On the way home he asked me, "Mom, did I hit my pitch count?" He's so oblivious to some things, but so tuned into others.

So we thought it would be fun to do something a little different for his birthday. Thanks to Grandpa Jim's generosity, we were able to sneak him out of school a bit early and go use his boat Saguaro Lake.  The kids had a great time and I can't think of a better place to be on a record setting 117 degree day.

I love these boys and this girl. I debated on whether to even take Sophie, but she didn't even hesitate jumping right in the lake. She might have had the best time of everyone.

Here is a rare genuine smile from the birthday boy. Most of the time he goes to great lengths to make sure he appears mentally disabled in all photos taken of him.

Por ejemplo...., (That's "for example" for you gringos)

I think it has been about 20 years since I water skied, despite it being one my favorite things in the world to do. I was happy that I still had it in me. (That's a thumbs up, not a middle finger in case you wondered.)

It was a fun day that culminated with an ice cream cake and an insta party that we are able to pull off now with our little San Tan Valley commune.

Happy Birthday to my cute Dylan Buddy! Assuming he passes his baptismal interview, he will be baptized on September 17 at 1pm. Come one, come all! Let's show this middle child some love.

In the Blink of an Eye

 I of course knew logically that this day would eventually come. I would be standing on the Kindergarten playground with my baby with a huge lump in my throat, that I am desperately trying to push down to show a happy face. Somehow when I was in the throes of babyhood it felt like those fuzzy headed, chubby cheeked, bright-eyed little kids were always going to be under foot. Some days I wished for that, others I was ready to speed up the clock to recapture some semblance of sanity. Well it turns out it doesn't get any easier when you send them off to school. The challenges are just different. I think all moms wonder if they have done enough to prepare their kid for their first real world experience, but there is no going back now. I stumbled across an article this week that I think was meant just for me. It said that parents need to stop worrying so much about their kids' happiness. Children who face challenges and overcome them on their own are empowered in a way that can only happen if they do it themselves. It is true and it made me realize that no matter how much I agonize over charter or public, AM or PM, she is going to have unpleasant things happen that she can and will overcome and that is just OK.

Sophie had a tearful first day. When the bell rang the grip on my hand and eventually my leg got tighter and she kept moving further to the back of the class line. When she realized couldn't drag out the goodbye any longer she began to sob. The principal of the school took her other hand and I gave her the nod to peel her off of me. She invited me to go get a visitor badge from the office if I wanted, but I knew that would only prolong the drama. Sophie is a bright, friendly, and strong little soul and I knew she was going to be just fine. Day 2 she resisted by suddenly getting a stomach ache as we pulled into the parking lot, but I told her that sometimes we have to fight through it and do hard things. By Day 3 she ran to the monkey bars and didn't even look back. She now has made quick friends with all the girls in the class. (She thinks boys are nothing but trouble.) I think its going to be a good year.

Speaking of growing up, we now have two legit, full-padded football players in the house.That's number 62 on the left, and number 56 on the right. Pop Warner is a ridiculous time and money commitment, but I also believe that it teaches toughness, discipline, respect, and persistence. And the fact that I have never seen the three men in my house more excited for something ever makes it all worth it. They practice every night for over two hours and don't get home until 8:30 or nine. They are hungry, exhausted, and have scratches and bruises all over. And every afternoon it's like Christmas morning as they put on the pads again. I can't wait to see them play and look forward to all their hard work paying off. Games start on August 27th.

Summer Festivities

 Summer brings on a lot of events for our family. Let's start with Father's Day. Here is the official Father's Day photo for me the kids, and two of the best dads on the planet.

 We didn't venture too far this summer, but we did take a little day trip down south to Tucson where my dear friend Laurie had a little surprise party. Wes and Jake stayed behind. They are Sun Devils after all. But really Jake was sick and Wes had to work. It their loss because Dylan and Sophie and I had a blast partying with them at the pool. Laurie is one of those friends that you don't talk to everyday, but that you will always know would be there for you. And if you need an excellent Rheumatologist give her a call, but be prepared to wait several months to see her. She's as a good a doctor as she is friend, and it was fun to see her and her cute daughter again.

Sophie turned five and partied at the pool with the friends who were still left in town and whose moms like to spend two hours in the car. Grandma and Grandpa were great hosts and made my life so much easier because what five year old doesn't love to swim in July.

 We can't forget Hudson, who might be the cutest one year old EVER.  And his mom knows how to throw a rockin' one year old party with enough gum balls to fill a kiddie pool. And her homemade cupcake frosting is the best, and I cannot tell I lie..I wish I could adopt Hudson. He's a funny little dude with attitude and I am totally entertained by him. I mean look at that face.

 And speaking of cute faces, we can't forget the twins and their actual birthday. They are super cute and Sophie and I can't get enough of them. If Soph had her way, we would also adopt them.

Uncle Wes and Grandma are fans as well.  We've owned Grandma Karla for awhile now, so we are ready to share!

Cheryl has never complained about sharing a birthday with Sophie and Sophie for sure thinks it cool because she not so secretly wishes Cheryl was her real mom, but I digress. Happy Birthday to my amazing, generous, kind, patient sister who has talked me down from the ledge more times than I can count. I'm a good mom, but who can blame Sophie with that resume?

 And the event of the summer had to have been the 80th Birthday Luau..and those other two on the right also logged another year on their odometer. We weren't sure if anyone would drive to the eastern most edge of civilization that we know as San Tan Valley, but they kept coming and coming. I don't know how many friends and family made their way to the party of the year, but I do know that a lot of people love these folks. Congrats to Dad on making it to 80 and happy birthday to Mom and Brett!

And this guy hit a little milestone himself this year. I don't know how I ended up with such an old guy but he bravely starred down 40 and won. Thanks to Kacee and Karla for throwing a great "little" party even though it was "no big deal." Wes has given me permission to never celebrate another birthday of his and I can hardly get him to open a gift (definitely not his love language) but luckily his mom and sister still defy his wishes so we all can have a little fun mocking his advanced age.

(These pics are not chronological order because I am hopelessly behind on this little blog I have, like so many other things in my life. Or maybe I'm just intoxicated by all the cake, but I'm just proud of myself that I managed to post something.)