To Our Boy #1...

Bryant:
I love that you think you're such a big boy. You are not gentle in pretty much any respect except when it comes to Stuart, or, "Too," as he is called by you. You save the sweetest hugs and kisses for your brother.

You are talking a lot more. You love trucks, unfortunately you cannot easily make the "T" sound, so the word comes out more like a very bad word. I get embarrassed in public because you will say your version of truck over and over and it makes me sound like I'm an irresponsible mom. I usually try to tame the excitement, and explain, by saying something like, "Yes, you see the TRUCK? Yes, Bubs, you love TRUCKS. I know, how exciting that you see a TRUCK," hoping that those listening will understand. You are so fun.

We're potty training, dude. I do say, "We," because I feel like you're training me in many respects. We spent 1 1/2 hours today waiting to go potty on the chair. Not kidding. It was like a game to you. I, wanting to be the supportive mother, sat next to you, reading books, playing games, watching cartoons, and finally had to get up and get something done. I turned around before disappearing down the hallway and there you were, sitting on the potty chair, doing your business. Of course we celebrated! We danced, we cheered, we sang a celebration song. 10 minutes later you pooped on the couch, stepped in it, and said, "Mommy, poo-poo." Thanks, Mr. Man. After your nap you came out, I took your diaper off and left you alone, and guess what? You went potty by yourself. I will keep celebrating and I will pay closer attention to when you may be going #2 next time. My bad.

You melted my heart this morning when Sissy walked out and you said, "Hi, Aubwey!" so cheerfully and welcoming. Aubs takes a little longer to wake up than the average, oh let's say, Bubs, so you weren't phased when it took her a few minutes to answer back.

You love swords as of late and any toy or tool becomes a sword. You quickly lunge and say, "On GAW" (on guard?) and want to fight. You also have a new favorite song that ends with "Yeehaw!" and I love hearing you yell, "YEE YAW!"

I love you, Mister. More than I will ever be able to express. You are a very bright spark in our lives...well, maybe you are more of a torch that sometimes explodes all over everything and everyone. And I love that about you.

Keep growing, little man. Keep being brave, courageous, and strong. And keep letting me steal hugs and kisses from time to time. What a wonderful son you are.

White Sulphur Springs

We just returned from a family vacation to Pennsylvania to reunite with some friends from our Florida days at a family camp. On our way to the camp we stopped at Idlewild Park, voted the best kids' amusement park in the nation. (I don't think it beats Disneyland but it was really fun for the kids.)

Bryant discovered this play area first thing. It was no small feat trying to convince him there was more to see/do. He could have stuck balls into the pipes blowing air the whole day.

But we watched Aubrey go down the big huge slide with Daddy...

...and then we needed to try it.

Aubrey & Bryant got to drive a car all by themselves! This was by far the favorite ride of the day.


Bryant let me tag along on the teacups ride. An adult + a small child + teacup that likes spinning faster with unbalanced weight= a mommy who felt a little queasy. But he is sure cute.

"Hi, my name is Stuart, and I look like my Daddy."

And then it was off to family camp. This is one of my all time favorites. Johnny and his arrows. We are blessed.

Bryant got to ride a horse! Don't let his expression fool you. He loved it.

Aubrey got to ride a horse, too. What fun!

The reason Bryant could not smile on the horse, even though he was having fun. He was plum tuckered out.

Our happy boy. Happy about pretty much anything and everything. All the time. No matter what. Well, maybe unless he's hungry.

Aubs & Bubs got to eat an ice cream cone on an old wrap around porch.

While Stuart got to chat it up with Daddy.

There was a swimming pond there. Bryant wasn't so much interested in swimming as he was playing with the Tonka truck in the sand.

Aubrey loved swimming but then I asked her what she was doing and she said, "I'm building a dam!" I didn't even know the girl knew what a dam was.

Irrestible Stu. Seriously.

Daddy & his boys.

Aubrey girl had a blast.

Typical Bryant. All decked out in his favorites.

John & I returned physically exhausted but refreshed in our souls. I love vacations like that. And I love building memories with our little ones, too. Now off to finish laundry.

Boys, boys, boys, boys, boys.....

Aren't they fun? Bryant and "Stu-bear," as he's begun to be called around here.

All decked out to go to the Change of Command ceremony here at the air station with Mommy. Sissy & Bubs got to play at the neighbors' house.

And here begins the parade of boys...Bryant testing out Sam's carseat.

Noah! (who now officially resides in Oregon. I think the angels sang Hallelujah when Drew, Annie & Noah moved out here. Or maybe it was just me. Anyhoo, we love having them close by.)

Samuel James, the latest edition.

Jack Jack Man.

The big boys.

As Aubrey whispered to herself recently, "That is just a lot of boys!" So what has the most fair of our bunch been up to lately?
(Photo: Firefly Photography)
Well, we have cut out naps (except for hugely active, crazy adventurous days that we may have). This last week she and I spent nap time together, having "girl time." She loves it and you want to know a secret? I love it, too. We've made jewelry together, played with paper dolls, drawn and colored artwork, made cookies, watched Anne of Green Gables, read chapter books, played board games...the list goes on. I see Aubrey's spirit returning (there are a lot of boys, after all. It can be a little overwhelming) as we spend focused time with her doing things that boys (in particular her tends-toward-the-impish-side-of-life brother) would prefer not to do. So we continue to be busy, finding our stride in this season of life. But it is a blessed season to be sure.