Six Years of Garrett

What a difference a year makes! This time last year Garrett was still closer to toddlerhood than boyhood...he was still in preschool, could barely write his name and still sported those cute little chubby cheeks. Not any more. Now he's preparing for first grade (the level at which he is already reading), writing stories and songs and has grown taller (hard to believe) and more mature. There's no going back now...he's a boy.


Some things don't change, however. Like his obsession with Legos and Star Wars.

I often wonder what he would do with all the time he spends playing out Star Wars in one form or another if it didn't exist.
And he still loves any and all animals. When he grows up he wants to be a "bird studier" (like his Aunt Renee, perhaps?). And he still makes us laugh all the time. You NEVER know what is going to come out of his mouth. He knows he's a comedian, but it's usually the unintended remarks that get the most laughs. He still has a passion for art, loves to swim and, of course, can't resist a sweet treat. He may very well go off to college having lived off peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

More than anything, Garrett loves with all his heart.
He's sensitive and emotional, but he all he wants is to make people smile. What he doesn't know is that it's HIS smile and sparkly blue eyes that make US smile and feel loved.


Happy Birthday, Garrett! May The Force be with you!

Parks and Recreation

At the top of Brian's post-tax-season-home-maintenance-catch-up list this year was getting the back yard safe for the babies to play. Until now, they've spent most of their time looking longingly out the window of the play room at all the outside toys and play things. The big boys are nice enough to provide occasional entertainment by making faces in the window at the babies, but mostly they've had to watch everyone else run in and out of the house at their own will. It wasn't really intentional that they don't get outside much...it just has worked out that way. With a boy that likes to dig holes (BIG holes) and one that likes to swing, there just hasn't been a very safe way for me to let the babies out to play and be able to keep both of them safe all the time...especially if one goes around one corner and the other around another. So, the window has been our safeguard. At least they have a nice view.

With summer coming soon and the babies getting more steady on their feet (and a yard full of toddler toys and play structures), we decided to clean up part of the back yard, enclose it and designate it as "the babies' park". So, without further ado, here it is:

Just one more reason to love Daddy. A LOT.

Chase's greatest wish is to be "just one of the boys".

Suffice it to say they are happy babies. Very happy. Almost too happy...since they fight tooth and nail when it's time to come inside. Ella has already figured out that when it's "that time" she screams "noooooo", runs to the playhouse and slams the door, locking herself inside (a preview of the teenage years, no doubt). And Chase throws a fit (and everything else he can get his hands on) when he wants to go outside but can't. Terrible Twodom has reached a whole new level at our house.

I really thought that this little "park" was going to keep me sane being home through the summer with all four kids...now I'm just hoping I make it that long. Having said that, however, I would much rather have the kids begging to go outside and play in the yard than complaining about being bored and whining for me to take them somewhere...or is that just the "Sassy Sevens"? At least you can reason with a two year old.

Now, who needs sunscreen?