I was just reviewing our photographs. At the beginning of every year, the teachers assign parents busy work of having to send in photos of X and photos of Y. As I was looking through the photos of our last year, it occurred to me how lucky these kids are.
While my ultimate dream in life would be to homeschool the kids, and teach them about different places, history, food and culture in an actual location, it seems we are doing the next best thing. Hunter missed 3.5 weeks of school last year so that we could travel. Traveling is underrated if you ask me. The kids learn SO much when we travel. We don't just sit by the pool and do nothing (except in Arizona). We always explore where we are and try our best to learn about the locals, some history, and some interesting facts. We always take work to go with us, so the absences are excused. We always spend a ridiculous amount of time together as a family. It is such great bonding that I hope teaches our kids to turn to each other in times of turmoil, instead of to turn out. As important and wonderful as friends are, chances are that they will not have the same friends in 5, 10 or 15 years. However, their siblings will be there. In the last 12 months we have traveled to: Pennsylvania, Colorado, Catalina, Punta Mita (Mexico), Jackson Hole (5 weeks), Caribbean cruise, Tampa&Orlando, Costa Rica, Las Vegas, Portland, Scottsdale, and Hawaii!
In addition, we have really taken the attention off of presents. While they do get new things sometimes (mostly from family members), we are big believers in living through experiences. How many more trucks/dollies/Legos/etc can we put on the shelf, for them to ignore in a few days? Horseback riding, skiing, biking, swimming, tubing, ice skating, walking, going to a rodeo, hiking through a national park, etc teaches these kids so much. The money spent on a vacation seems to pay itself back in dividends based on the relationship we see developing between our children.
Now don't take that the wrong way. Experiences are great and the time we spend bonding together as a family is fantastic. HOWEVER, the kids still fight. I've always said that I have trouble parenting kids aged 2.5-5. It's just hard for me. They are pushing limits and I don't like it. I see the kids outgrow this phase though and it gives me hope and makes me a little bit more patient with each of them. Let me describe each of their personalities.
Hunter: This little boy is a dream come true. While he has his quirks, we all do, he appears to be outgrowing some of the more difficult aspects of his personality. Any time you ask him for help with something, it is met with a good attitude. If he sees something that needs to be done, he does it without being asked. This kid is smart, strong and helpful. He is loving and caring to those around him. Hunter excels in skiing and swimming. When asked by his second grade teacher to describe him in 3 words, I came up with "enthusiastic, loving and energetic." I asked him to describe himself. He said "Active, Funny and Intelligent." This boy is a true gift. Not only that, but he may be outgrowing his immune issues, as he was vaccinated on Wednesday for the first time since he was 2. I'm so excited for him and I love watching him grow up and learn new things.
Landon: Kindergarten. This year is a big year for him. He surprised me on the first day of school when he marched right into the classroom. When I picked him up to go home he exclaimed that he "loves" Kindergarten and his teacher. He couldn't wait to go back for Day 2. On Day 2, some kids were waiting for him and they started playing even before school started. I love seeing this happy kid blossom. He is, historically speaking, my shy kid. He is more likely to keep to himself and doesn't put himself out there to make new friends. That appears to be changing as he becomes a big kid. He couldn't wait to get a "red folder", as Kindergarteners do. He has really shown me how much he has changed and grown in the last few months and I am super proud of him. He's still a bit of a baby though. He constantly asks to sit on my lap and loves to snuggle. When he prays (which is a lot - and he loves to do it), he always pray for my neck to get better and he says he is "thankful for Mama" every single time. He is just a big love bug and I feel so blessed to be his Mommy. I can't wait to see how he grows. If you made me bet on it, I'd guess he becomes an architect or a surgeon. He loves seeing how things go together and how they work and then fixing them. He doesn't like to be in competition because he is very competitive. If you ask him, he will do anything you ask so long as he isn't pitted against someone else. For example "who can get me a diaper the fastest?" doesn't work as well as "Landon, can you run upstairs and get me a diaper?" This kid loves the opportunity for responsibility and I am getting used to leaning on him more and on Hunter less.
Aspen: My Sunshine. Aspen is a bright spot in anyone's day. She is sweet and charming and loving. She is kind and is the best able to handle her little sister's antics. When Maisy hits her in the face, she softly takes Maisy's hand and says "soft hands on Aspen." She is almost always willing to share her toys. Playing family with Landon is one of her favorite things to do. She also loves playdates with her 2 best friends, Katie and Kolleen. She is a fantastic helper, especially with Maisy. She is a total Daddy's girl and knows just how to play him, but Brian doesn't seem to mind. She's really girly and loves dresses, matching shoes and accessories, nail polish, make up and having her hair done. She loves getting dressed up and, for her most recent date with Daddy, she requested "flowers and a fancy dinner with white tablecloths like how Daddy takes Mommy out." She's a sweet girl and is figuring out the world and we love her dearly.
Maisy: The baby. The snuggle. The sweetheart. Maisy is the only child that all 3 of the other kids adore. They ADORE her. She has all of us eating out of the palm of her hand and she gets away with murder. She knows how to use her voice and lets you know when she isn't getting EXACTLY what she wants. She is very smart and sweet and loves interacting with everyone. She randomly walks around smiling at people until they return the smile. She just started sleeping through the night (Thank Heavens!) even though she is getting her molars. She is truly a gift from God and I know that she is the final piece of our family jigsaw puzzle. She completes us in a very funny way. She loves babies and carrying them around, feeding them and kissing them. She loves to eat. Everything. All the time, but her favorite has to be goldfish. She can say about 15 words. "Mama, Daddy, Nana (Megan), Ya-Ya (Donna), up, off, hi, bye, eat, feet, ball, bankie (blankie), no, yes, wheee (like she's on a ride), stinky (pooped), baby, Uddah (Hunter), Adda (Landon), Appa (Aspen), Nala, Woof, Doggeeeee. She can probably say more than that but I want to move on :-) She feeds herself. She thinks it's funny when she finds a pacifier and walks around with it in her mouth. She hates milk and milk products. Except whipped cream. She loves whipped cream and finds it in the fridge whenever the fridge is open.
It recently occurred to me that life is difficult with 4 small children, but before too long it will be hard to get all 4 kids under my roof again at the same time. We will have weddings and hopefully holidays, but these days are numbered and I'm truly blessed. I find that I appreciate more days than I waste and, knowing Maisy is our last baby, I really enjoy each of these difficult phases. I love traveling with the kids and spending the time with each of them. I love taking them to all of their one million activities. I love caring for these people who talk incessantly and tell me every thought in their head. I love being the person they trust most because they know I will always be here. I am always there. I love tucking them in at night. I love watching them grow and change and I love supporting them through every step. I am so blessed.
Also, Brian. I won't add his developmental milestones, but I am super proud of my husband. He is a fantastic human being and I am beyond blessed to call him my husband. Brian puts me first and makes me the center and light in his universe. Brian is the love of my life and I know that I am the love of his. We are a fantastic team, both as parents and as husband and wife. We are so blessed to have grown up together. How lucky are we? So that's the update on my cute family and my thoughts on it.
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