a new era

Well, we are now entering into our 2nd decade of marriage and our 3rd of being a couple.  The crazy thing is, we spent so long dreaming about careers, kids, and owning a home, that we spent our anniversary talking about retirement.  It's our next dream.  Not a bad life to have :)

Before our awesome night out, we bought a .... wait for it.... minivan.  That's right, we now have space for my work stuff and groceries.  We can cart kids to swim team, bible school, and field hockey.  I am a minivan mommy.  

Notice the smile on B's face and the "oh my goodness" look on mine.  That is how this started.  For some reason, me driving a minivan is hilarious and perfect to my lovely husband.  I spent the first 2 days being unsure and smirking to myself every time that I left a patient's home.  Now, I hate to admit... I love it. 

2nd week of having a minivan and I drove the first carpool.  I was actually really excited.  I know, ridiculous.  But, having 4 kiddos in my back seat chatting away and then bursting into a random rendition of "Let It Go" could not make me any happier.  If I had not driven that night, I would have been unaware of my daughter's amazing water powers.  She spent the entire way to swim team telling the others that she can control water.  Apparently, she is able to make the water move as she wants.  She can make the water come into little bubbles on her hands.  Her friend K. gave the water powers to her and she may be able to pass them on to the other swim team girls.  She isn't sure yet.  I guess I will have to hold my breath to find out.  I can't wait until the next swim practice to continue the story. 

guess who

Guess who gets to come on daily outings like this?  Guess who does travel during most weeks but gets to spend every weekend with us?

THIS GUY!

That's right.  This guy that has worked weekends since 1995 is now spending most weekends with us.  But, there is a learning curve.  I have been planning our summers and pretty much just taking the kiddos here there and everywhere for their entire lives.  This summer, I planned our beach trip and a surprise birthday trip with A. and didn't even consider if he would want to come.  Oops!  It actually took me by surprise when he said, "am I coming?"  He is also a bit more of a homebody than the rest of us.  We wake up and hit the road to go to festivals, parades, pools, free movies, or at least yard sales.  Him, not so much.  More like lawn mowing, grilling, and relaxing.  So, we will tone it down a notch and he will pick it up a notch.  No matter what, we are HAPPY to have him here!!!

Happy Father's Day B!  We love you so much!

what do the parents say?

I meant to do this on Mother's Day, but, we've been super busy.  So, here are the kid's perceptions of both of us.

K. (age 3, a man of few words)

1. What does Mommy always say to you? uhhhh
2. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do? uummm, I don't know
3. What makes Mommy sad? Maybe if Mommy likes to play with me and then she can't but then I would say play with me to be happy again.
4. What makes Mommy happy? Maybe my trucks
5. How old is Mommy? 2
6. What does Mommy do when you are not around? Umm, keep me healthy and safe
7. What was Mommy like as a child? uumm, you played with toys
8. What is Mommy good at doing? Daddy is good with building blocks.  Maybe you are good like Daddy and build with blocks too.  You can build a tower too.
9. What is Mommy not good at doing? Mommy isn't bad
10. Where is Mommy's favorite place to go? we go to the Library.

According to A. (age 5)

1. What does Mommy always say to you? I love you
2. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do? hug me and kiss me
3. What makes Mommy sad? when someone dies
4. What makes Mommy happy? when I hug and kiss her
5. How old is Mommy? 33
6. What does Mommy do when you are not around? maybe blog
7. What was Mommy like as a child? running all over the place
8. What is Mommy good at doing? cooking
9. What is Mommy not good at doing? building fires
10. Where is Mommy's favorite place to go? restaurants

Daddy according to K. 

1. What does Daddy always say to you? I don't know
2. What is Daddy's favorite thing to do? play stick blocks with me
3. What makes Daddy sad? he always happy
4. What makes Daddy happy? I don't know
5. How old is Daddy? 3
6. What does Daddy do when you are not around? to work to golf
7. What was Daddy like as a child? talk to you
8. What is Daddy good at doing? making dinner
9. What is Daddy not good at doing? nothing
10. Where is Daddy's favorite place to go? to Cracker Barrel (we went there for A.'s last day of school yesterday)

 Here is Daddy according to Belle...
1. What does Daddy always say to you?" what are problems without solutions?... complaining" and "close the door."
2. What is Daddy's favorite thing to do? build fires
3. What makes Daddy sad? when someone dies
4. What makes Daddy happy? when he snuggles with me
5. How old is Daddy? 33
6. What does Daddy do when you are not around? watches golf
7. What was Daddy like as a child? talk talk talk, just like me
8. What is Daddy good at doing? grilling
9. What is Daddy not good at doing? climbing big hills
10. Where is Daddy's favorite place to go? golf with me

Even better, here are our portraits done by K.  I think the resemblance is amazing!

I'm sure that this doesn't need an explanation, but it is Mommy

This is Daddy.  Apparently, the artist was angry.