Seven Wonders of Garrett

1. His sense of humor. Sometimes his jokes make sense...and sometimes they don't. But one thing's for sure, he's always trying to get a laugh. (Sometimes I think kids should come with disclaimers...I never said his jokes were always appropriate.)

2. His obsession with Legos. Some kids play sports, some kids ride bikes, some kids learn karate or read. For Garrett, there is nothing he would rather do than build Legos. You name it, he can build it. It's his favorite hobby, his passion and his first choice when he has free time. And when he's not building them, he's on the website learning how to do everything from make stop-motion animation movies out of them to how the pros build new prototypes. I have to say that I find it refreshing that there is a still a toy that is not virtual, that is creatively limitless and reinforces useful skills (like math, symmetry, fine motor). If only they offered "Legos" as a major in college...

3. His memory. From almost the time Garrett learned to talk (and he was an early talker), it was evident that he had a remarkable memory. To this day, as I try to recycle toys from the older boys to the twins, many of the toys are met with protest by Garrett, followed by the background of the toy ("No, Grandma gave this to me on my third birthday at Chuck E. Cheese", or something similar). This is a blessing and a curse (see #4).
4. His negotiating skills. I guess it helps that he has the memory of an elephant, but when it comes to negotiating, Garrett has mastered the skill. I'm not sure he even realizes he does it; it's his way of being persistent to get what he wants. It would be much easier if his points weren't reasonable, thought-out and opportunistic. Just watch what you say and what you promise, because he WILL remember (see #3).
5. His love of animals. Garrett has always felt connected to dogs, cats, birds and animals in general. He loves to talk with them (if you ask him, he'll tell you he speaks "duck"), share affection and take care of them. He was devastated when we lost our sweet Sequoia and has been begging for another dog- or any animal he could train, tarantulas included (see #4...)- but we settled on a 2.5 gallon fish tank and a few fish. Something tells me, however, that this negotiation isn't over.
6. His art. There is no question he's creative, but Garrett is also a talented artist. Some of the pictures he has drawn have blown me away. And he'll draw everything from comic books to landscape sketches to instructions on how to build a satellite. He has discovered one of the greatest gifts of drawing- the he can draw anything he can imagine (and what interesting insight into his seven- year-old mind...).
7. His heart. No matter how Garrett chooses to express himself, there is always passion behind it (desirable or not). I still (and probably always will) think of him as a puppy- big for his age, a little uncoordinated, but full of love and affection and just wanting some attention. He is loyal, compassionate, honest, hard-working, and at the end of the day, loves to be cuddled and feel special. But don't we all?

Whether he grows up to be an engineer, a vet, a lawyer or an artist, what a privilege it is to watch him grow up.
Happy 7th Birthday, Garrett! We love you!

Thank You. Sorry. I Love You So Badly.

This was the very thoughtful poster Blake surprised me with (also part of the message from church that weekend- another gift to know that they ARE listening, even when you think they aren't).

It's hard to read from the photograph, but it says "Thank you. Sorry. We love you so badly. Happy Mother's Day". You can't really see the drawing of me eating cookies saying "yummmm", but that's at the bottom right. Thanks to the twins for the beautiful coloring job.

Garrett was equally thoughtful and creative with his card.

His words of gratitude are very appreciated and I love that he calls me a "big pretty sunflower". But most of all I enjoy knowing that the reading time we spend together is as special to him as it is to me.

It really is true- mother's don't need gifts, we just need to know we are loved and appreciated!

But when we do get gifts, a flower in the form of Lego's is a perfect gift from my Lego-lover Garrett, and the "flower trophy" (as Ella named it) that Blake built is perfect from my son who loves to build and use tools.

A very special thank you to Brian for his shining example of unconditional love. How lucky am I?

By the way...I love you so badly too.

Tri'ing it Out

It's official...Brian is a triathlete!

Checking out the competition and the course.

First the 400 meter swim in San Diego's Mission Bay.

Not an official "event" but practically a sport in itself...changing out of the wetsuit while running, and changing into your biking clothes, then a running mount on your bike for the 9 mile bike ride.

And then running without your bike for a 5K.

All to successfully finish the sprint triathlon.

It was his first go at completing all three legs of a sprint triathlon and he did GREAT! It was the first of several scheduled this year and he intends to continue down this path while working up to a full triathlon eventually (quite a challenge, which you already know if you've ever tried training for just ONE sport to race...). But if anyone can do it, it's him. Congratulations on your first of many and may you swim like a fish, ride like the wind and run like the gingerbread man.

And an extra congrats to Renee on her first tri swim relay.

Mommy's Helpers. Or Not.

I can finally say that having twins is getting a little easier. Sometimes. With their increasing age of 2 1/2 comes more opportunities for independence and autonomy. We get to teach our toddlers how to put clothes on...put their dishes in the sink...clean up their toys...brush their teeth...get up into their booster seats...and so on and so forth. There is no doubt that while this takes an initial investment of patience, I am paid back with valuable time and freedom to not have to meet every moment's need. So we want this; we encourage this; we need this.

And then I am quickly reminded that the twins' interest in learning isn't just to know how to be "mommy's helper". They are curious about a lot more than that. And while I've made no effort whatsoever to teach them these things, here are some of the other (they might argue valuable) skills they have managed to teach themselves:

*how to work the water dispenser on the refrigerator (let's just say I don't need to mop quite as often and there is always a towel handy)
*how to turn the outside hose ON (and somehow not understanding how to turn it off?)
*how to assemble- and more importantly- DISassmble sippy cups
*how to unlock and open the back sliding glass door (gaining unlimited access to the back yard when ever they want)
*how to work the volume control on the tv (great for getting mommy's attention when I'm otherwise occupied)
*how to open the inside door to the garage (which gives them access to all their "stored" toys...for which they have no interest in trading out)
*how to undo the child lock for the pantry (at least they lock it back up when they're done)
*that the step stool is portable...making a whole other level of things within reach (and that any box or bucket turned upside down can be used as an adequate substitute)

If I can look past the messes, the frustration and relinquishing some control (quite a challenge for a self-professed Type A), then I can appreciate the wonder and amazement of their little minds in discovering the world around them, and the self confidence they build when they learn a new "skill". Even if that means they are giving themselves mud baths...right after I've given them a real one.

Happy Mother's Day to the Moms of the world...you make the world a better place!