Fave thing about you

Last year we started a new tradition with the boys (and girl when she gets it). On their birthday we go around the table and each tell what we like most about the birthday person.

We forgot to do Blake’s this year so we will do it soon.

For Cole most talked about how happy he always is, always smiling, sees the good in almost everything. My fave thing about him is the love he has for his mama and how is so not afraid to show it! I know that will change, but for now I am loving it.

Austin will be gone for his birthday today, still in DC hanging out with Andy. It feels weird. I wish he was here.

Last night I was hanging out with just the young ones. It’s weird being a solo parent during a weekend. It’s family time for everyone else.

Plus Blake is/was at basketball camp. I miss him too.

Last night I was putting on Eva’s pj’s and rubbing three different creams on her body, calendula for the rash on her booty, benadryl for the mosquito bites (man they LOVE her) that she scratches until they bleed, and antibiotic ointment for the booboo on her knee that she has bloodied up the past two nights on her walk to the park.

I started thinking about a few years ago when I was talking to my cousin about how the year that I had Blake was one of the best times of my life. It shouldn’t have been. Andy was in grad school, we had no income- living on student loans, Blake was in and out of the hospital for his heart, yet…. it was a really great time.

I was finally finding my groove as a mama, our days were uncomplicated days that I spent taking care of and just loving on my boys. Simple, good times. No schools, sports, and social schedules. Just playgrounds and snacks. Boys that played in the dirt and smelled so good after their baths. Lots and lots of cookies made by Austin and Andy. Lots of Hercules and other fave Disney movies. Playgroups and zoo trips. Juice boxes and rain storms watched from the front porch. Trips to the library for more books and computer games. Finger paints and stick figure drawings.

It went fast. Too fast.

Being on my own over the weekend with the kiddos has made me realize that I am so happy that I still have little ones in my house. Because while I love every bit of my older kids and ages and stages along the way, I am so not ready to be done with the little stage yet.

Believe me, I have my days.

But before we adopted Eva I told one of my friends one day at the pool that I felt like I wasn’t done. I didn’t want to sit on the side of the pool and read a book, I wanted to be in the pool with my little kids. She looked at me and said, “maybe you need a better book.”

I laughed, but this was coming from a mom with 5 kids. She knew what I meant.

And like I said, I have my days that I want to sit and read a book.

But Saturday night at the pool, by myself in the baby pool with Eva- I looked around at the dads playing sharks and the squealing little babies. I was in the right place.

So back to the baby on the floor getting all of her “owies” addressed, it dawned on my that this was a time I was going to look back on fondly. This time when Eva is still little and all the kiddos are still under one roof.

Right now I have the best of both worlds. Big ones that are fun to hang with and talk to, and little ones that are just starting to realize who they are.

It’s all good.

Now we have traded computer games for PS3 and xbox games. Playdates/groups don’t include parents. Andy rarely makes cookies and if he does, Austin is no where to be found.

But I still watch the rain from the porch. With a different little tot by my side. And was shockingly surprised when my 14 year old (yes- he turns 14 today!) joined us to watch the storm roll in a few days ago.

This picture below cracks me up- the girlie is a funny one.

She loved this bubble maker so much that she used it until she broke it. I assume from over-use.

Remember I talked about dirty boys? Check out the dirt under her fingernails!

Worth the $4. I think she needs a new one.

Happy Monday. And Happy Birthday Austin!!!