Missing Kooky Zadie

Zadie is having an action-packed summer. Her last day at pre-school was mid-June and she'll basically be gallivanting with grandparents until she returns home on August 13th. Right now she's in the middle of a three-week long vacation with Grandma Linda (more on that later, when Linda sends me photos from their adventures).

It's pretty weird not to have Zadie around. Besides some weekends and holidays, we won't be seeing much of her this summer. She's only five years old, but very independent.

So I thought I'd share a photo that captures what a funny little kook Zadie can be. Note the ribbon bow-tie, the makeshift belt, and the one pigtail up and one pigtail down.

We love you and miss you, Zadie Zoo! Your brothers keep asking about you. :)

Daily Newspaper Ritual (this time with Zadie)

I'm very devoted to the daily newspaper (Tori would say overly devoted!), so it made me very happy for Zadie to join in the fun a few weekends ago. She can only read basic words at this point, but she still likes to pick the words out. She's very curious about what she sees in the pictures, but unfortunately most of the topics are very complex and upsetting to try and explain to her.

Sometimes I feel scared about the fact that at least two of my three children are now at the point when they can pretty much remember everything from here on out. Like I really need to step up my game and be a lot nicer now that everything is on the record.

I try to think honestly and objectively about what my kids will remember about me during these early years. Though this isn't very flattering to share, I think the main things my kids will remember about me when they try to pull something out of their hazy memories will be newspapers, beer, a hot temper, and that I was the parent who hooked them up with treats. It's not that I drink a lot of beer, but a few nights per week I have a bottle of beer with dinner and the kids (and Tori!) like to make a really huge deal about that and Zadie even told her pre-school teacher that I love to drink beer (thanks for that, Zadie!).

I'd like to fix the part about having a hot temper, but I'm often torn between accepting myself as the parent that I am versus constantly trying to improve. I want to be better about my temper, but I don't want to be wracked with mom guilt and I also feel like it's okay if kids are on the receiving end of an angry parent every once in a while. Luckily, they have another mom who is much nicer (but not when it comes to treats!).

Superhero Brothers

Love the joy on their faces in this photo from a few months ago. And I can't believe Charlie was actually catching that much air. 

That's all. Just wanted to post this fun photo.

What Kind of Man Will Skip Be?

Skip cuddling with his new cowboy belt (with silver belt buckle!) from his Granddaddy Hal and Grandma Denise. The Wrangler jeans are from his moms.

Skips's new shark helmet from Grandma Linda. You can also see the planes he got from Aunt Susie.

Skip turned four last week and we had another Polaris birthday celebration. I've been thinking this past week about what kind of guy he'll become. It's impossible to predict, but here are some of the things I know about him so far:

• Big-hearted. Of all my kids, he's the most likely to share a toy or give a bite of his ice cream to another kid. He especially looks out for his little brother.
• Loves the pack. This is Linda's saying, but it's true that Skip is most happy running around with a bunch of other kids. He's extremely social. By the same token, he's the least interested in quiet time or independent play.
• Runs wide open and sideways. His energy level is significantly higher than the other kids and his favorite activities are tackling and wrestling. I think (and hope) he'll love team sports. 
• Call him Steady Skip. All kids have their ups and downs, but you can count on Skip to be as consistently happy as any child I know. He almost always has a big smile on his face.

Skip got his first report at pre-school the other day. The results weren't too shocking -- basically he got really high marks for all of the social categories (shows empathy, takes turns, etc.), but didn't do so hot in categories about his ABCs and numbers (more from a lack of interest than a lack of ability!). I'm perfectly happy with the results. His teacher wrote "Skip is very imaginative and friendly!"

He says he wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. He already thinks he's a cowboy. We'll see about that, but I do feel confident that he'll be a kind, loving, and a little bit bad-ass.

Off to the River We Go!

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. As a kid, I associated it with hanging out on my grandparents' boat dock in East Texas and watching the fireworks late at night.

Now our family officially has a new tradition for the 4th of July. This is at least the sixth year in a row we've gone to Tori's Dad's house in Tulare County to celebrate the holiday. It's a de facto family reunion and an extravaganza with a zip line, enormous slip-and-slide, river floats, and kickball games.

I love the games and the physicality of the whole weekend. Tori's favorite part (in addition to being with family!) is having someone else cook for her for four whole days!

Annual photo op with Tori's family. Only Uncle Hank was missing this year!

Charlie's cousins DJ and Kisean palling around on the Polaris.

The famous slip-and-slide into the river!