Independence

Hello from Highlands!  I think it is tradition at this point to spend July 4th in NC.  The mountains are beautiful and the break in heat is both good and bad.  Good because it is necessary and bad because there is a whole lot of muggy, sweaty, Mid-Atlantic summer left when we return home.  The boys are in hog heaven playing with their cousins and the ladybug had no idea it was possible to get more attention, from more people.  We are having a great time and getting some rest with a lot of relaxation ... at least as much as one could wish for when one has created a hot mess of a three ring circus for oneself. 

What I'm seeing and hearing on this Independence Day is pretty clear ... gimme a whole lot of space, Mom.  Having finished a rough year at school, #1 got a big boy trip and has spent the last 3 weeks away from home.  First, with everyone at G&G M's house for lots of fun in the sun and then by himself for the last two weeks with Grandma & Pops.  I've been told he was a dream, used manners and went to bed on time every night.  Funny how that happens when you take parents and/or siblings out of the equation.  Since we arrived I've barely been acknowledged ... training for the future I guess?  Perhaps a note to self about getting in those snuggles NOW since they are fading fast.  He knows I am a direct link to all of the things he doesn't want to hear about, but still got excited when I snuck in his room last night to say goodnight.  I had been passed over (so had Mr. Right) for tuck-ins for one too many nights for my comfort level.  So I let the requested parties do their work, then headed up into a dark room for an unannounced love fest.  Had to feed my soul.  To my surprise and delight I was welcomed into the pirate room ... three boys and clothes and crap all over the place.  I tripped on a shoe and nearly killed myself trying to get to a bed, much less a kid of mine, but it was worth it.  It also reminded me to quit considering the "what if we had a 4th?" question and thank my lucky stars that the ladybug IS A LADY!

Since #1 has been on hiatus, #2 had been the man of the house and really liked bossing his sister around!  The boys have been so close this year in lots of ways, but once #1 was removed it was funny to see which way #2 chose to "bond" with his sister.  I am pretty sure most of it came from a place of love, but it was aggressive and his way, not hers.  And now that we are all back together and with cousins he is back to the bottom of the ages and really seems OK with that.  That said, he is keeping up with his cousins this year and that is impressive.  He is finally old enough to figure out what works and what doesn't and has only taken himself out of the equation a few times.  In those times I am reminded of just how independent he is, and has always been.  He rarely needs entertainment or help finding the next thing (unless it is his shoes).  He finds something to play with or gets something to eat and when I catch him in a quiet moment he gives me this look like, "why are you looking at me?  I'm just doing what I'm supposed to be doing."  And yes buddy, you are.



MFH 4 and SDH 9



Finally another girl to play with ...

ASH at 11 (how did this happen?)

Grandma & her grands

This is the face of a man who had forgotten the strength of tiny little hands

Nine months

And #3.  Sigh.  I'm not sure what the hell just happened but a development bomb went off and you are exploding with new stuff.  We went to Florida and you were scooting and had been for several weeks, and perfectly happy with that.  We were there for 2 days and then you were crawling, 2 more days went by and you were pulling up on everything, a few more days went by and you were crawling up to kid sized chairs, pulling up and climbing in ... to then pull up again and get into a bigger chair.  Then a few more days and you started cruising furniture and you have been motoring ever since!  And now we are to your other grandparents and you continue to show off.  You are walking with assistance.  It is a long way from walking on your own, but you are only turning 9 months tomorrow!  I am not happy about the hurry you are in to grow up and will put you in a shoebox to keep you small if I have to.  I know all of these big kids around is super great and all kinds of fun, but let me let you in on a little secret.  They love the fact that you are a baby right now and they don't pummel you.  As soon as you can hold your own, the pummeling begins, just ask your blondie brother.