8 Years

It's amazing to me. Being the mother of an 8 year old. Such a funny age.

For your birthday we went to the zoo. It was 15 kids and family and it was a lot of fun. But I am glad I am not the parent of 15 kids. Keeping that herd together was a little nerve racking.

As a special surprise your favorite person in the whole world (other than your Dad, maybe) flew in from LA to celebrate your birthday.

I think your reaction to her leaving a few days later perfectly sums up your age. You were really very sad, until you realized she had left you a dollar to get a snack at the local Speedway (you really love to do that...who knows why). Then it was all "so, can we go to Speedway after school today?" You are up and down in the blink of an eye. Gee, can't wait for those magical teenage years.

We bought you a new bike since you learned (finally!) to ride a two wheeler this summer. Apparently your legs grew a thousand inches and the bike you were riding was like one of those little clown bikes, your knees up to your elbows. You picked this bike out...due to its "cool" factor.

You are happily 44 pounds now. Only 5th percentile. But in another 12 inches you will be as tall as your Mom. Sometimes I still take off your Dad's wedding ring and peer at that little round opening...remembering how your whole hand once fit inside.

This year will be amazing. You will start Brownies soon, you are still dancing and will start piano lessons. You will make your First Communion and probably do a million other things.

We are proud of you and excited for you and love you. Lucky us.

Here's What You've Missed

So. I guess I haven't been updating very often this year.

I realized (in August) that I stopped monthly blogging about Baby Boy's progress in the growing up department. I think after 2 years the fact that he is still eating/sleeping/walking/talking is pretty much a given and you probably aren't missing the monthly play-by-play.

Of course, I am also not blogging about other things, like, say, Baby Girl turning 8 (!) or going apple picking or dressing my kids up like pirates and taking them to Chick-fil-a.

Therefore, I am going to break it down. Starting with the pirates. Because I can.

Some Pirates are Tough

Some Pirates are Hungry

But Most of All: Some Pirates are Just Cute

The View From Here

Never a dull moment in our yard.

Vacation State of Mind

I walked Baby Girl to the bus stop today and it was sooo chilly.

I have my first cold of the season.

I started pulling out sweatshirts and jeans for the kids to wear.

This was a crazy crazy summer. Just now do I feel like I have a grip on everything and am ready to relax...

But it's back to school and fall activities and - thanks to every single store around here - the reminders of the impending holidays are everywhere.

Why do I still have vacation on my mind?

Maybe remembering our annual week at Lake Erie would help...

Thinking about time with family...

Reliving old traditions...

And how we created new ones...

Dreaming about the cottage we stayed in...

Pondering how fast all the cousins are growing...

Wishing once again for sunny days and swimming pools...