9 to 19

My youngest brother moved in with us a few months ago. It has been nice getting to know Tyler since he was so young when I went away to college and then married.
The other night at dinner we were talking and I realized something very scary. In 9 years, Peter will be 9 and Noah will be a 19 year old. He will be what I am seeing right now with my brother. Obviously there will be differences but the age, oh me a mom of a 19 year old
. Everyday I think of how I might go crazy trying to make it through the day or how I can't wait until some kid is a little older. Well, 9 years ago I had Noah and I was so looking forward to watching him grow up and now I realize that I don't want him to grow up at all. 9 years has gone by too fast. I can't believe that in the 9 short years that I have known Noah, he will be an adult in 9 more. People everywhere stop to tell me,"enjoy it while they are young. I know it is hard but they grow up so fast". I am always wondering if those people every really had little kids but they did. It is just something you can't see at the time but with a 9 year old and a baby I can see it. Will it make me savor every moment, no. Will I always enjoy each trial and obstacle, of course not. But will I try each day to remember the image of baby, 9 year old and 19 year old? Yes, I will. I hope that God will give me the grace and wisdom I need to love my kids everyday as much as I can.

Happy Father's Day

Coming home from mass to your favorite brunch, playing an hour of Mario Bros with the boys, napping on the couch. Sounds like a fine day to me. The kids were at VBS all week and it ended today with a program at church. The kids all get up in their VBS shirts and decorations to sing for their proud papas. Each kid spent the week making crafts, including one for dear old dad. I think that makes for a fantastic Father's Day.

I'm not the only one

I was trying to type in my blog address today on the laptop and found out that I am not the only elastigirl. Of course I think I am way cooler and more deserving of the title. I mean, I homeschool with 5 kids and take care of the famliy. Oh well, I guess I couldn't be original, I stole the idea from Disney anyway.

Peter can talk

Well, he has his first word, Mama. He says it with purpose and determination to get me. He has also learned other ways of communicating. He waits until he gets your attention and then sticks his tongue out. He waits for you to do it too and then, aha, you're playing a game. His other favorite sound is pooty kisses, raspberries,what ever you call 'em. This is what he does at 5 in the morning while laying in my bed. He'll roll over and raspberry me and then over to Michael. I think he is saying "I love you". I'll pretend that is what he is saying anyway.

Tour de Embry Hills

The kids took their first bike trip beyond our street. We were all set to ride bikes in front of the house and oops, there were some low tires. Of course our pump was broken so we headed off to the gas station. Noah, Jake, Lucy and Aidan all rode their bikes while I pushed Peter in the stroller. They did a great job staying together and watching for cars. I had to jog a little to keep up. After getting air in the tires I let Noah and Jake go on ahead of us and go all the way home. I could see them most of the way so it wasn't too big of a deal. On the way home, up a big hill, I saw the three older ones get off and push their bikes a little. Well not Aidan, that powerhouse pedaled his way up that hill with almost no effort. We got home and Noah was bragging about beating everyone and Aidan said, "Yeah, well I am stronger than you, I didn't have to even push my bike." So, there it is. Aidan's gigantic thigh muscles are stronger than Noah's, Jake's and Lucy's. Next time I am hoping to ride my bike with Peter on the back, we'll see how that goes.