In Medias Res

I'm going to start right here in the middle of the summer. I've been dragging my feet all week (SUMMER) because once you get behind on your blog you feel like you really have to go back and do this whole THING. This whole tell-everyone-every-single-thing-they've-missed THING. And that's daunting.

So I'm going to give you the low-down on where we're at, what we're doing and then plan to actually keep up this blog in all of it's former glory. Remember when I used to be good at keeping up my blog? I must have had a fourth kid or something.

Cameron is almost eight years-old. How this is possible is beyond me. Because I'm pretty sure he just started kindergarten five minutes ago and that was traumatizing enough. But eight?? I firmly believe there should be laws preventing children from turning into teenagers. And if my kid is eight that is a sure sign that he will be 13 one day. And I ain't havin' that. (Although Cameron will be really happy to finally see all of those PG-13 superhero movies...)

A normal day for Cameron will start around 7 am with some sneaky kitchen action. That kid loves to get into the cupboards, my purse, the pantry and snoop out the candy. I suppose one way to halt this behavior would be to only have asparagus on hand at any given moment. But why punish myself? I mean, asparagus is great and all but momma needs some chocolate.

After finding my stash and imbibing (which I only find out about after the fact when I find wrappers stealthily hidden under the couch) it's onto Legos or, more recently, Pokemon. Can I just tell you how much I H-A-T-E Pokemon right now (see how I spelled it out so the kids don't hear? Such a considerate mom, right?)? Because the kids in this age group don't PLAY Pokemon, they COLLECT Pokemon cards. It's all about having the most cards. And those suckers are expensive. So even though the kids all have their own deck (*cough* and maybe Chase has a deck, too, *cough*) it's never enough. We had some serious discussion today about being content with what you have. Ahhh, Pokemon life lessons.

In addition to his Pokemon obsession Cameron is taking a craft class and karate to keep him busy. We're trying to keep him on top of reading, writing and math, too. I need to get on that! It's easy to slip out of your schedule during the summer months.

 

Miles has left his happy little preschool and is about to enter kindergarten. We're not sure yet if his transfer application was accepted, so we are waiting around to find out if he'll be at Cameron's super radical school. We surely hope so because Miles has spent a great deal of time learning how to say the name of his hoped-for kindergarten teacher (it's a doozy). And wouldn't that be a waste if he couldn't at least wave hi to her in the hall?

This summer Miles is finishing up the last of his gymnastics classes. I use the term loosely because they're more "run around and get your energy out" classes. But he's really loved them and if he wasn't starting school he would stay in them. But shortly after school starts it will be basketball season and he's fully committed to being as much like cousin Brandon as humanly possible. So basketball it is. Karate on Friday nights will continue forever, I think.

Miles and Cameron spend most of their days attached at the hip. I love that they play so well together. Sure, most of it involves bodily harm, but what great boyhood friendship doesn't require some blood bonds? And hey, maybe the timer on my microwave is being worked into the ground with all the time outs it's tracking. I think it's great to see them never leaving each other alone for even a single solitary minute. When their screams reach the heavens I think, "Ahhh...the music of angels." And then my head explodes and everyone goes to bed early without finishing their dinner.

  (Who can sleep like this????)

 

I hesitate to type this, but I think we're reaching (not there yet, but getting close?) the other side of the terrible threes with Sophia. She's still incredibly divalicious. I have a suspicion that maybe she watches Beyonce videos on youtube while I'm in the shower to get lessons. Because I KNOW I've seen her use these moves on me.

And since she rarely wears pants it's like I'm watching the video all day long.

But really, she's getting there. I think last month she was logging an average of 40 hours/week in the time out corner. This month she's creeping down to about 39.5 hours/week. So, you know, progress.

I'm not sure if it's going to help, but I just signed her up for BALLET at the rec center. And you know I had me a good time picking out her leotards and little gauzy skirt and jazz pants. Oh yes I did. Ever since cousin Natalie showed her some sweet dance moves Sophia has been twirling and spinning her days away.

I'll admit, Soph is turning into a super girly girl. It's been fun to watch this whole nature vs. nurture thing play out right here in my own home. We have never pushed the pink stuff on her. When she picks out super hero costumes for Halloween (EVERY YEAR. I haven't gotten a single Princess costume on her for that holiday! I vow this will be the year!), we just get them. When she wears Miles' old Thomas the Train undies we could care less. When she wants to go on the boys' camp out we pack her up and go. But lately she's been gravitating to the girly stuff all on her own. And I love it. Not gonna lie.

(checking out the digs for her new ballet class)

No June day would be complete without mismatched clothes and a fur coat. Good choice, Soph.

She always reminds me of the coppertone baby when she runs around like this. Hey Soph! Get some inhibitions!

Hales is turning ONE in like two weeks and I'm having mini heart attacks every day. I never felt like this with my other kids! I was always happy to see them growing up and getting bigger, reaching milestones and all that. But this time around I just want to stop time and soak it all in.

Haley isn't afraid to keep us busy. She's crawling all over the place to check out whatever the big kids are up to. She pulls herself up on everything, too, and cruises around to get a better view. If she sees me or Chase coming she reaches her hand out and says mamamamamamamama or dadadadadadadadadadada.

She's the happiest baby I've ever seen. She's been through a lot this year but she's handled it like a champ. She's a cuddler and an easy smiler. She adores her siblings and they adore her right back. The perfect last baby. Unless you ask Chase. Then she's the perfect next-to-last baby.

Hmmmmmmm.....