Favorite Photo Friday

I'm not really sure this is my favorite photo from this week.  I have ones of her smiling and playing.  Ones of her siblings and a really nice photo of a Bungie at the zoo.  Plus I am so tempted to remove the owie from her nose in photoshop.  

But if photography is about remembering what happened, this photo captured that moment.  The moment that is right after her smiling and looking at me...but losing interest in connecting with me when the camera is in front of my face.  

The day after she scratched her face tripping in the yard.  

The month when she started seeking comfort from Mommy and Daddy for her physical owies...even the little--can't possibly be hurting--owies.

With most kids you worry about how to train them to buck-up, not need Mommy to kiss every tiny booboo, and to one day be able to handle the little things on their own. But while Sweet Pea trusted us almost immediately to provide her with the necessities...MORE MILK coming fairly quickly in her vocabulary...the idea that Mommy and Daddy are here for the little things is taking a little more time.  

So while this scratch looks and feels to Mommy a bit more than a little thing, the fact that she took and wanted comfort and rocking after the fact is the big thing.  One more step on that mountain called Attachment.  Even more important is the bug bite on her arm that hurt 3 weeks ago, and yet every morning and sometimes throughout the day Mommy must kiss.

So as much as I wish I could photoshop her owies well in real life, being allowed to comfort her in one more area of her life is a moment worth treasuring.  So this photo represents that even if it isn't the best photo and I have to forgo using the tools of modern technology.
 

At the Park Again

I must say, those lazy summer days of my childhood never seem quite so lazy now.  If we stay home and do nothing the house turns into the disaster and everyone ends up crying at some point...even me.  But packing up four kids by myself and dragging them and all their gear somewhere seems like so much work...until we get there.  It is always better if we spend at least part of the day out and yesterday was no exception.

And Sweet Pea had a much better time at the park now that she knows some of the other kids we meet there a little better and since her brothers were there to entertain her.

She really likes being upside down.

So Huckleberry helped her.

I stopped this as soon as I took the picture, but SnapDragon didn't mind Sweet Pea dumping rocks on him.  He even let my friend's daughter participate.

 Such a big girl now.  Less than a month from being 2!

 Sunflower was busy running and rolling with her friends.  I didn't get many pictures of her.

Huckleberry finished many chapters while pushing Sweet Pea in the swing.  She didn't mind as long as she kept moving.

 Look...Air!  She is quite good at jumping.

I didn't want to let her run down hill, but who could say no to that joy?

Especially since she couldn't quite figure out how to roll down the hill as others were doing.

 Yes, we can go home for lunch now if you sit right here for a photo.

We have many things planned for July including a trip to the zoo, Mt. Rainier, and to my husband's hometown to visit a childhood friend, but I'd better look at my calendar and fill in those blank days.  I'd much rather deal with lugging water and sunscreen around than crying children who cannot seem to find a single toy in an overflowing house.  So if you don't see us much this month, you can assume we are away from the internet and at the park.  Who wants to meet us there?
  

Getting Big

So even though my coming home outfit still fit a year later, I have grown a bit in the last year.

I mean look at me a little less than a year ago.  I couldn't walk.  That day, July 4th, was the first time I let someone besides Mommy and Daddy hold me...for a few minutes with stiff bodied terror...but still.  Now I hug my aunts and uncles, give them kisses and high fives, and every once in awhile I'll stick around for a cuddle.

And look how this dress fit in August last year!  It was almost too long to get around in well.  I still love sticks and rocks, but now I can tell you what they are and say lots more words, too.  Not always clearly, but I am more than able to get my point across.

Now it isn't just my hair that has grown.  I barely fit the dress...but Mommy has the next size up waiting for me in the closet.*  I also a few months ago stopped calling Daddy -- Mommy.  Now I understand that just because he is as important as Mommy it doesn't mean he has the same name.  It took me awhile to understand that.  I used to confuse Mommy when I was sitting on her lap and Daddy would get home.  "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!"  I would yell while crawling off her lap and running to the door to greet Daddy.

I may never meet my China father but I sure do love my Daddy here.  Happy Father's Day!

* Between referral and travel there is only one thing waiting Mommies and Daddies can do for their child half way across the world -- SHOP.  And if it is adorable and on clearance all the better.  

Tuesday at the Park

Because Auntie L doesn't have facebook but does still check my blog though I've been bad about updating...here are some of my favorite pictures of Sweet Pea at our first MOPS park day of the summer.  

Let us start with the swings...

And stay at the swings!

Okay, let's explore some more.  Easy baby stairs...I don't even have to crawl!

Slides just my size!

Mommy, help up!  No.  Mommy help down!

This, this is too high.  Why isn't Huckleberry here to help?

What?  Yes, I can...and she did. 

Motor boat, motor boat...

Look!  I match the tunnel!

What?  I'm not supposed to just kneel here for ten minutes?

Time to go.  Lots of kids here, but none of them are mine.

This is the first time Sweet Pea has gone to the park without at least Sunflower.  She had a good time and explored everything...small and large...but she did tire out fairly quickly.  Next time the others will finally be on summer break then we'll see how long she can last.
 

Too Soon

Sunflower: I choose Gabe.
Me:  What?
Sunflower:  I choose to marry Gabe.
Me: You are only 4.  It is too early to make a choice.
Sunflower:  Too late.  I already decided.
Me:  You don't need to worry about this when you are 4.
Sunflower: Well, it isn't like I would marry Abby's brother.
                   Gabe would have fun married to me.
Me:  Ha.  Still you can't decide now.
Sunflower:  Mom, focus.  Focus on what I'm saying.  I choose Gabe.

  

My Biggest Boy

This one is so far our easy one.  The baby that observed everything.  The toddler that loved to please.  The preschooler that needed lots of sleep.  The elementary student that loved learning.

And now the Middle Schooler who beats to his own drum in a school that is below failing on paper.  His self-confidence is actually astounding. 

"I'm too hard to tease for any one to bother with me, Mom!  So stop worrying." 

In the last few years we've seen him grow from a child into a young man who looks out for his family, excels in school, builds underwater robots, leads others, and can even make somewhat beautiful music with his saxaphone.  He was also genuinely pleased with the study Bible he received for his 13th birthday from his Aunt and Uncle, eager to attend his youth group, and can't wait until next summer to go on a mission trip to Mexico.

Now he has chosen for his mini-term* topic "I Have the Power."   It is about showing that teens can make in impact on their community (hopefully in a positive way, he quipped).  They will spend 5 days doing different service projects in the area: cleaning the beach, helping at an assisted living facility, working with the humane society, etc.  Then the second week they will be creating their own plans for making a difference locally or globally and presenting it to their parents.  The other choices would have been great educational opportunities, too, but this one will take the most energy. We are pleased at his choice and that he will have this chance through his school.

I cannot wait to see what else this son of ours accomplishes as he continues to grow.  

* Mini-term is the last two weeks of school where they have no regular classes and instead spend the entire time on one subject.  Last year they had two mini-terms and he chose underwater robotics and built a Rube Goldberg contraption.  It is good that he is expanding his interests and skills. 
   

On May 7, 2012...

Sweet Pea joined our family.

In our hotel room that first hour with her one year ago.

 It is impossible to describe what a blessing she has been ever since.

Today...she wouldn't put the water gun down once I took her outside.

 She loves life and makes it impossible not to love it with her.

"Metcha" Day/Family Day/Sweet Pea Day...at our first appt that first day with her.

She has done so well adjusting to her new life with us in the past year.

Today in the outfit we "sent" her through Ann at Red Threads and she was dressed in on our first day.

That day one year ago was so amazing and emotional.

At the end of our first day after a full day of appointments.

I cannot wait to see what our next year with her will bring.

The water gun did still have some water in it...and she finds it easier to point it at herself.

 Happy Fami-versary*, Sweet Pea! 

 * I like the name Fami-versary because I love word play/puns, but found it impossible to pronounce out loud...who knows what we'll call it in the long run.