those wheels...

This little man.  I can't believe he is five.  More importantly, I can't believe he will be 19 in what will feel like about 3 days.  They always say it goes fast, but no one translates that into what really happens.  It goes at lightning speed.  So fast, sometimes, I feel terrified that I am not soaking up the moments like I should be.  Not taking tiny photographic images with my brain of all the special minutes and occasions that fill up each and every day.  But I know this is normal, so I try to relax and enjoy it. 

He tossed the training wheels this summer, and I can't help think that with them went the baby Roanin I have known this whole time-replaced with a braver, stronger and more grown up version of that little one.  Crazy how the physical act of riding a bike on his own is mimicking this transition in life.  He has known how to turn the pedals for quite some time.  He can steer the circle of our dead end or the curve of our drive way with simple muscle memory.  He has perfected the foot breaks and even the hand breaks of his new bike.  But it wasn't until those training wheels were gone that we got to see the skill in all of its glory.  We really got to see him ride. 

 

And as we loosen the training wheels of parenting just a tad with him-letting him pick out his clothes for the day, trusting him outside without an adult, asking him to be responsible for several things around the house without asking, starting kindergarten, and watching him from a more distant view interact with his peers - we are beginning to see him really ride. 

The tendencies I have always adored are still there.  The struggles we continually face are still there too.  But the overall trend is positive.  It is amazing to see him wobble his way around, have to put his feet down just for a second, and eventually glide his way through. 

And just like every single phase of parenting thus far...I find myself wondering how long he has actually been ready before his dumb mommy finally realized it.  The day we took the training wheels off...it was at his suggestion because it had never even occurred to me that he might be ready.  Within 3 minutes-he had it down.  And as I watch him seamlessly accomplish more and more, I realize I might not be the teacher I thought I was in this partnership.  The lessons seem to be coming from him - and I couldn't be more excited about learning.

Okoboji 2012 Round 2

don't say I didn't warn you...

Rex making out with the copper statue.  What can I say?  He is a lover.

The boys were obsessed with the ducks.  The ducks...not so much with being obsessed with the boys.

We had the boys singing "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" with us by the end of the trip.

If Rex doesn't have my nail to pick on while he drinks his juice, he uses his own toe.  Weird.

Does this kid look old or what?!?!?!  When did this happen?!?!?!

The favorite thing of the entire week?  TV trays for a cabin with no TV!!!!

This might just have to be a yearly thing.  We love you, Okaboji.

Okoboji 2012 - Round 1

This summer was full of vacation.  We made it to Lake of the Ozarks for a long weekend, Lake Okaboji for a full week, and just got back Saturday from Chicago.  Of course, I am behind on the proof, but there is lots to show.  Hands-down, our family trip to Okaboji was the best vacation we have had thus far.  We spent seven days in a little ghetto-cabin with no tv, one bedroom and an outdoor paradise at our disposal.  They say small spaces make strong families...and that was certainly true for this little trip of ours.  The down time was so good for us and the boys.  We spent our days just hanging out, watching our boys just be boys, and relaxing.  It was just us four...my favorite combination in the entire world.  I feel like we work hard at creating quality time within our family, but there was something amazing that came through in our kids when they felt like they had our full attention with absolutely no distraction.  They put on shows for us.  They hugged extra tighter.  They shared secrets.  And they carved out an even bigger spot in our hearts.

 

Roanin asked me on the last day if there was any way we could live here.  If that is not a ringing endorsement for a good vacay, I don't know what is. 

I am not sure if this is good news, or bad...but this is only round one of the pictures.  Hahaha...I guess the lack of stuff to do made for an over-eager mommarazzi.

where the heros hang out

Spiderman - Roanin; Superman - Noah; Dinosaur/Beach-Goer/Superhero - Rex

This team has some serious muscle under those cotton costumes. 

I'm so glad they are on my side. 

 

Did I mention I adore raising boys?

growing

Me and the two tornadoes planted a garden this spring.  We went to Lowe's, got the lumber...I cut it with a skill saw (which can only be described as a miracle), removed all the sod in two little rectangles in the sunniest spot in our yard, got a truck load of top soil and made two little plots of life...one for each boy.

To say the boys enjoyed this project would be a gross understatement.  Each day they run out to check the progress and pick anything that might be remotely ready for consumption.

 

And consumption is just what we have accomplished.  We have made homemade spaghetti sauce, bruchetta, BLTs, cucumber salad, and much, much more.

 

I have loved watching these littles grow while they watch the garden grow.

 

And eating the fruits of our labor hasn't been too bad either...