Career Aspirations

I always love to ask children what they want to be when they grow up because their answers are always so interesting. Tom and I have asked our children this question a number of times recently, but they haven't been forthcoming with any answers until this morning. We were in the bathroom (where we still spend quite a bit of time these days as Marci is working so hard to surpass the potty-training hurdle), and I asked Osten what he wanted to be when he grew up. With the most serious look on his face, he looked me in the eye and said he wanted to be Santa. Marci whole-heartedly agreed that this would be a good career choice for her as well. Then they gave it a little more thought. (I'm not exactly sure that they completely grasp the concept which almost makes it more fun to hear their thoughts on the subject). Osten decided that he wanted to be Boba Fett, and Marci decided that she wanted to be a princess. Well, at least we won't have to worry about them planning a move to the North Pole!

Fire, Fire!!

A few more 4th of July photos. Like I said, I'm a bit behind on the ole blog . . .

So cute!

You're never too big to play with fire!

Another cute reveler!

Hangin' with the Big Kids

Sometimes I can't believe how big Marci has gotten. Maybe that's why I like this picture so much! Her only experience with Uno cards was cutting up her brother's set that he got for his last birthday. Nevertheless, she is trying her darndest to get in on the big kids' game.

Food Fest

Not only are the kids big Taco Bell fans, they are also lovers of seafood. Ah, another proud-mama moment! When Uncle John and his family were here for the 4th, we all had a fun family dinner at our favorite local seafood dive. Delicious!!

Good Times

One of the best things about Gramma Sue's long summer visits? Each of the kids gets individual time with her for stuff like piggy-back rides . . .

and home-made smores on a stick!

Makes a Mama Proud

Every once in a while, my children will do something so completely unexpected, so completely genuine and utterly pure that it makes this mama stop-dead-in-her-tracks kind of proud. We had one of those very moments this afternoon.

We were in the car, and Osten was upset about something in his eye. He made such a fuss that I pulled over to take a look at his eye for myself. I couldn't find anything amiss and we were nearly home anyway, so I told him to sit tight and promised that we would put some ice on it once we got home.

As both of the kids have started to do for each other lately when one of them is distressed, Marci was very concerned about Osten's predicament. She relentlessly insisted upon his immediate need for ice and wanted to be sure that an ice pack was going to be our first order of business upon our arrival at home. Next thing I know, I see her holding out her hand with her first finger extended and repeatedly asking Osten if he wanted some ice. Since we had no ice in the car, much less any that would be within her reach, I was quite intrigued.

After pulling into the garage, Osten jumped out of the car and headed inside to find Daddy. I went around to Marci's side of the car and helped her out of her car seat. She was still talking about giving ice to Osten. I noticed that her finger was wet, and she referred to it as the ice that she had been offering to Osten.

Finally, I asked her, "Marci, how did you get 'ice' on your finger?"

"I just put my finger in my mouth, Mommy," she proudly exclaimed.

Oh, the resourcefulness and the genuine concern for her brother's wellbeing, if only for a moment! It brought a tear to my eye and gets me a little choked up as I think about it again as I type. For all of the things that I know Tom and I don't always get quite right when it comes to the awesome responsibility and privilege of being Osten and Marci's parents, it's times like these that make me realize that we must be getting a thing or two right every once in a while, too.

No matter how challenging our day, no matter how filled it was with one parenting challenge and sibling squabble after another, it's this kind of pint-sized, genuine goodness that washes away every last one of my parenting frustrations. And if only for that one short, sweet moment, all is right with the world. These kinds of moments take my breath away every time, and lucky for me, they always come when I need them most.

My cup of pride runneth over!

Fish Food

Daddy got some new fish food (lewers) recently, and fishing in the lagoon near our house is much more fun these days.

Uncle John and Nathan put in a couple of poles while they were here for the 4th of July. (Yes, I've fallen just a wee bit behind on the blog lately.)

Now there's an interesting technique!

The smallest anglers wore out earliest. Osten gave his sister a lift home. I guess fishing can really tire a little girl out!

Got Booty?

Pirates have taken over our house! Even Marci's a fan.

Batman Sleeps

What's a kid to do when naptime interferes with dress-up time? Here's how I found Osten recently . . . This picture melts my heart every time I look at it. He's even wearing his Justice League t-shirt which is his favorite.

Airport Adventure

The kids and I got to pick up Gramma Sue from the airport when she arrived earlier this summer. They were so excited to greet her, and since it was a special occasion, Lamby and Parker (f/k/a Charlie ~ as it turns out, the new name did not stick) got to come along for the fun. It brought back such fond memories of greeting my grandparents at the airport when they would come see us when we were little.

She's here!!

Words o' Wisdom

I love listening to the kids' send-off each morning as Daddy leaves for work. It always includes the usual "Bye, Daddy!" and "I love you!" And a while back Osten added, "Tell your friends 'hi'!" Well, this morning, Marci added her own two cents. "Don't get your friends all dirty, Daddy!"

What can go wrong in a day with that kind of advice??!!

Beach Battle and Beauty Shop

When we weren't at the pool or the beach, Osten had a great time setting up some pretty elaborate battles in the living room.

Daddy had a good time playing army man, too.

Meanwhile, Marci played beauty shop with Gramma Sue where she got a pedicure and even got to play with her powder!