6 going on 16.

my sweet, brave boy.

you are SIX!

you have earned this number.

you exude an age much higher,

and for that i am both happy and sad.

but you are YOU,

you are so strong, bright, athletic, energetic,

and above all

loving.

you are the best at snuggles and 

hugs, and never skimp on kisses.

you are a man in the making

and all too soon becoming.

you are everything i dreamed my son 

would be.

i am immensely proud of you.

you are mine forever,

and for that, i am so lucky.

love always,

mommy

day jobs

sometimes i feel guaranteed that i need a new day job.

something rewarding, fulfilling, the requires me to socialize with others

my age

and drink coffee and check email frequently

and actually reply.

this afternoon i certainly felt like that.

ada cried because she did her homework wrong

and all of the sudden she thought she had no more friends at school.

elias cried (and screamed and cried and then THREW a REAL hammer)

because he was building a skateboard out of wood and nails and training wheels

and he asked me for help and then remembered he was

making it for me.

and then realized i had seen my surprise.

and *gasp* helped him.

because he asked me to.

and then he cried some more.

hanna cried and cried and cried because she accidentally fell asleep

and took a short nap

and apparently that is the worst thing that can happen when you are three.

oh,

and saul cried because he didn't want to nap

all. day. long.

and then fell asleep at dinner.

so

in case you were wondering

i had a really lovely afternoon.

and in case you see me filling out applications

at the mall

you will know why.

milestones

i promised myself

that once my kids started back to school

i would play catch up.

you see

i am not winning any awards for my kids baby books.

in fact, only two of them even own one.

this is it.

our life, is only documented here.

and i am missing the moments that i don't want to forget.

so,

i am vowing to play catch up quickly and only move forward.

(picture courtesy of elias)

a few weeks ago reza and i celebrated our TEN year anniversary.

talk about a milestone.

10 years is a lot!

and we have a lot to show for it.

i couldn't have asked for a better partner is this crazy adventure we are having.

he is everything i am not

calm, quiet, understanding, focused, funny, witty

oh, and very handsome.

he works hard

and gives all of us more than deserve.

and for that i am thankful.

we have had many ups and downs

and relationships of every sort require all sorts of work and maintenance,

but we work well together.

we are lucky.

for our anniversary,

(there was absolutely NO romance!- for that i will ask for a redo one day!)

we were kicked out of our house due to our rash decision to put new hardwood floors in,

so we headed with all the kiddos to williamsburg, va.

we ate pizza.

we met our newest niece, visited with reza's family, 

and still made it to several tourist attractions.

fortunately the hotel we were staying in had bedbugs

and we were reimbursed for the entire weekend 

all at the expense of our darling son, elias.

he took one for the team…

but really i am kidding, and bedbugs are for real!

his poor legs, rump and belly looked angry for weeks.

and

i also missed 

the most momentous occasion

the 

FIRST

day of school.

all of kids are so happy with school this year.

i was so anxious.

my oldest doesn't like school (usually)

my first born son is a trouble-maker (most of the time)

and my youngest daughter values her time with her mama more than anyone.

all that said,

school went off without a hitch

and each kid has loved every day.

well, almost.

 ada- third grade

 elias- kindergarten

hanna- 3's class at christ church methodist

my saul is ONE

somehow i have waited this long to post

my dear baby boy's first birthday.

this boy of mine

makes my heart flutter more than i could have dreamed.

he is exudes a happiness

beyond your imagination

and mine.

he is smart and clever

so squishy

and smiley

and giggly and warm

and ever so happy.

he has bright blue eyes

and the best 80's rock band hair.

did i mention how cuddly and curious he is.

he is such a lover

but he keeps us on our toes.

at the pool he mingles with everyone mooching 

snacks and smiles.

he loads the toilets with objects

and the garbage can with toys.

he laughs and claps

and blows kisses and 

plays peek a boo.

he is adored by each and every member of our family

but most especially, by me.

i love you my solly-boy,

more than you will ever know.

bald head island

we spent last week in bald head island with my sister, shannon's, family.

what fun!

now, don't get me wrong,

a hot, sunny, north carolina beach

with my four kids

and her two,

it was exhausting!

but so fun.

golf carts,

sea turtles, 

kites,

water slides,

ice cream, 

snow cones,

fishing,

hermit crabs, 

boogie boarding, 

parties,

smores,

skim boarding.

you name it, we did it.

the kids didn't sleep great, and we all came home tired.

but we made some great memories.

enjoy!

oh, and if you catch a glimpse of my hanna's hair,

yes,

she chopped it off for the second time this summer!

i don't know how she keeps finding the scissors!