Miriam: Six Years Old

Miriam is six years old. We've gone from this:

The first-born, tiny, alien baby whose parents had no idea what to do for or with her. But we loved her.

And she grew and grew and...

she's still growing. In October she lost two teeth. A very proud moment for her.

It's so different having her gone at school. Sometimes it feels like we barely see her.

Miriam doesn't like breakfast or feeling like she's failing.

She loves to draw, write, watch Arthur, be outdoors, and eat just about anything we put on her plate. Miriam is thoughtful of others and likes to please her teacher and parents. Doing what's right and doing it all-by-myself is high on her To-Do List. She's responsible, curious, eager to learn, and loves a good knock-knock joke. There are only 11 kids in her Kindergarten class - she likes all of them and comes home telling who was funny today, who she played with at recess, who was her Centers Buddy. She can read pretty fluently but decoding her spelling is still entertaining.

Because of Thanksgiving Break, she didn't have school on her birthday which was a nice treat for all of us.

We celebrated at Grandma and Grandpa Wellman's house and then went to Light Night in Fort Wayne. Aunt Annette, Uncle Tom, and Baby Catherine were in town so she was happy to spend time with them. At the Gingerbread Festival is was a delight to examine each gingerbread creation with Miriam. She found something to ooohhh and awww over in every single one! She just LOVED the roof and LOOK at that fish pond and THIS is a Frozen castle and THOSE are jellybeans!!!!!! It was so sweet and made us appreciate the hard work each entrant put into their work.

Miriam also got to see Santa on her birthday! Not many kids have that honor!

We ended the night at the Botanical Gardens and with a fireworks show. 

Truly a dream birthday for our wonderful six year old.

Seeing Double: Five

Miriam and Vivian are in the short window each year when they are the same age. Two five-year-olds. Viv's glory days. Miriam's "I'M STILL OLDER THAN YOU" days.

And while there is a sliver of hope that five-year-old Vivian will make us look back at three-year-old Vivian and shake our heads in disbelief. Then there are these moments.

"Everybody smile!"

One more day of two five-year-olds. And then Miriam will settle back into her comfortable Oldest Sister position. Vivian will continue to be exactly who she is. And Felicity will watch it all in admiration and continue to tell anyone who asks how old she is "FIVE!"

Vivster is Five

Vivian is five. We never let her birthday pass without remembering her as our baby who came out purple with the cord wrapped around her neck.

But we also recall what a fat and happy baby she was!

And how she used to put everything, everything, everything in her mouth...

And how she was the most challenging toddler/preschooler.

Lately we're often commenting on how Vivian's behavior is improving. She wants to be helpful and tries to please her parents. She's the easiest sick child because she's tough, her pain tolerance is incredibly high, and she never complains. She's keeping an eye on Felicity and learning how to be gentle. When Mommy recently had her gallbladder removed, Vivian became Mommy's right-hand-girl. She ran to fetch things while Mommy recovered, bent over for Mommy to get things off the floor, helped switch loads and loads of laundry, didn't whine about Mommy moving slowly. Being needed made her feel valuable and loved and helped her mature.

She's curious and thinks outside the box...actually she's so busy being a Vivian she doesn't realize there is a box. She was born into a family of rule followers and straight line thinkers. Sometimes we have to take a step back and just watch her before reacting because her methods are very different from ours but she's just doing her best to learn. And someday she'll be inventing all kinds of wonderful things with her wonderful brain if we can manage to channel that wonderful energy and teach her a pinch of self-control.

She received some special gifts this year - Barbies. The first Barbies to enter our home. Presumably, the first of many.

Living with five-year-old Vivian is going to be a treat.

Home of the Brave

You're missing it, too, right? Summer?

Well. Just in case you are missing summer...we're got a few pictures from the 4th of July to warm you right up.

Felicity has lost baby fat even in the last few months!

The best way to spread patriotic cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

So their mom dressed them in coordinating outfits and made their father take pictures. Because that's the right way to celebrate our freedoms.

We shared a cookout with Tim's family. Papa, Tim's dad, bought the girls a kiddie pool, squirt guns, and a crazy sprinkler because that's what Papas do.

We brought the wine and enjoyed the fact that our children were happy.

In the evening, we went to Sarah's aunt and uncle's pond for food and fireworks.

Grandpa showed them the fun of Roman candles because that's what Grandpas do.

There was corn hole...

and huge hugs from Uncle Ryan (who wasn't an uncle yet)...

and sparklers...

which are always pretty magical...

...and eating, talking, relaxing...

And big ol' fireworks.

Happy 4th of July and many (belated but heartfelt) thanks to all to protect our freedom at home and abroad.

Now if that don't warm you up, we can't help you.

Fall Break: Great Wolf Lodge

Miriam's school year is considered a "balanced calendar" meaning she gets a week long break in the fall, a couple weeks at Christmas, two weeks for Spring Break, and two months for summer. Fall Break was this week and we took the chance to get away for a couple nights for some family time. We went to a water park this summer with Sarah's family and the girls still talk about it! So it was pretty easy to pick Great Wolf Lodge for our quick trip.

It also gave Mommy the opportunity to meet up with a friend from college. HURRAY!

There was, of course, a really great indoor water park that had slides for all sizes, life jackets for the little ones, a hot tub for kids, a huge dumping bucket, and plenty of space to stop and take a rest or have a snack.

But we were pleasantly surprised by all the activities for the girls that were included in our stay. Nightly story time with character meet-and-greets. 

Trick-or-treating (even if your mom is too lazy to pack your costume) and a Peeps scavenger hunt.

A Wolf Walk - this was a little too advanced for Felicity, but the older girls liked walking around the lobby and learning fun facts about the taxidermy wildlife. 

Plus a Cub Club where kids can relax away for the pool with coloring, crafts, toys, and games. 

Cute fox ears for the whole family because it's Halloween.

Face painting...

We really took advantage of every single activity that was "free" for the kids. And when we were hungry, we could eat at the four dining options on the property or head out to forage on our own. 

More than anything, it was just nice to be with the girls without the distractions of responsibilities we "should" be taking care of so we can focus on these happy little people.