As I lay here 4 deep in my bed, I realize how few of these nights I have left. Aside from the locust outside, the sounds of my 3 kids sleeping fill the room. Sometimes it is a snore or a moan. Other times a complete conversation. All 3 of them talk in their sleep, but Maisy is the worst. I am saddened by how fleeting these moments are. It won't be long and we all won't fit in this bed, even if we want to. Already Carson and Maison fight over who is taking up the most space. Knox cries if he has to sleep by the window, which means no one else gets to sleep by me, that makes the big kids mad. It has made me think about all the things I will miss about having little children. Here are my most recent realizations.
I will miss holding hands. I love being able to put my hand out and know someone will grab it. I don't need to say anything. Just a subtle upturned palm is all it takes. Carson is already a no-go on the hand holding, except in Chicago. He did hold my hand there. He said he knew he wouldn't see anyone he knew.
Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy will all be deeply missed. I won't elaborate for fear of prying eyes.
Being able to truly make it better. I can do that now. With Knox it just takes a kiss, and he is good to go. For Maisy it is just a reassuring conversation and to lay with her at night. Carson needs his back tickled and all is right with the world. I wish it could always be that easy.
I will miss their innocence so much. All 3 of them ask the best questions and see the world through such pure eyes. As they age the questions have become more complicated and messy. I love pondering why waves crash and where the sky ends. How do fireworks change color or why God made bees sting? Or, what makes a word a bad word?
Bedtime...while it is typically a nightly nightmare. I will miss tucking in. All 3 kids have to have a kiss good-night in their bed or they will not go to sleep. Some nights to stall sleep, they shout, "Love you, Mom." "Love you, Dad." All though everyone, each kid...regular Walton Family.
Piggy back rides...
Make believe...
bath time...
Monday, July 22, 2013
Pure Michigan
We loved Michigan! It was a refreshing break from our go-to Florida beach. Don't get me wrong, I love the summer sun more than most, but as I have gotten older the heat is not as enjoyable as it used to be. Probably because the majority of my skin was overcooked as a teen, and it is rebelling. Whatever the reason, I could not do Florida in July. So, we headed North...to uncharted territory.
Jeremy planned the lodging and route. I took care of all the packing and preparations at home. The kids pulled their weight by being good sports in exploring new places. We went to Chicago for the 4th of July. It was halfway to Onekama and a cool place to be on the 4th. We walked a brutal distance to Navy Pier, and learned within the first 20 minutes that none of our kids were city slickers. Maison was the first to adjust. She pretty much makes the best of most situations. Knox needed a stroller. Huge mistake on this trip. However, I came back much stronger...hunchback, but strong. Carson was stressed...too many people, too much noise, and too much honking. Poor kid.
After our brief stay in the Windy City we headed up the coast of Lake Michigan to Onekama. We stopped at some little towns along the way and were blown away at the enormity of this Great Lake. We saw our first draw bridges on this road trip too. Pretty cool engineering feat. Our condo in Onekama was on Portage Lake and a short walk to Lake Michigan. It was perfect for a quiet week of relaxing lakeside. The town of Onekama is really small. There isn't one restaurant. We cooked dinners in the condo and made nightly walks to Lake Michigan to watch the sunset and build campfires. It was a little chilly up there, so the fire was nice. It was really good family time. The kids loved fishing and playing in the sand. Fun fact, the sand there squeaks when you scoot your feet in it. Hmm...
Carson turned 10 while we were gone, and Jeremy celebrated 37. Crazy! I cannot believe my baby is ten, and my hubby pushing 40. We are halfway done raising Carson. Time is flying by. One of his gifts was a photo album I made of his first 10 years. It was fun to make and great to reminisce. He has always been such a sweet kid. Sweet changes from 2 to 10, but he continues to be very affectionate and loving. He is dying for a pet and asked for a guinea pig, but changed his mind when I made him hold one first. Carson is a very typical first born son...rule follower, pleaser, loyal, hard working homebody. I predict he marries his high school sweet heart and buys a house up the road. That would be fine with me. I love that kid, quirks and all. He is my pride and joy.
Once we had our fill of the sand and the sun, we headed back to Chicago for a couple of days. We went to a Cubs/Cardinals game and then took in the Field Museum and Aquarium. We ate a couple great places and became subway masters cruising all over the city. It was exhausting, but so much fun together fun. Lots of great memories were made. Quote of the trip was from Knox though. In the lengthy wrap around line at the aquarium as he was holding his soon to be motor boats, he asked Maisy in his not so soft 3 year old voice. "Hey, Maisy, wanna go back to the hotel, get naked, get in the bathtub and play boats?"
Jeremy planned the lodging and route. I took care of all the packing and preparations at home. The kids pulled their weight by being good sports in exploring new places. We went to Chicago for the 4th of July. It was halfway to Onekama and a cool place to be on the 4th. We walked a brutal distance to Navy Pier, and learned within the first 20 minutes that none of our kids were city slickers. Maison was the first to adjust. She pretty much makes the best of most situations. Knox needed a stroller. Huge mistake on this trip. However, I came back much stronger...hunchback, but strong. Carson was stressed...too many people, too much noise, and too much honking. Poor kid.
After our brief stay in the Windy City we headed up the coast of Lake Michigan to Onekama. We stopped at some little towns along the way and were blown away at the enormity of this Great Lake. We saw our first draw bridges on this road trip too. Pretty cool engineering feat. Our condo in Onekama was on Portage Lake and a short walk to Lake Michigan. It was perfect for a quiet week of relaxing lakeside. The town of Onekama is really small. There isn't one restaurant. We cooked dinners in the condo and made nightly walks to Lake Michigan to watch the sunset and build campfires. It was a little chilly up there, so the fire was nice. It was really good family time. The kids loved fishing and playing in the sand. Fun fact, the sand there squeaks when you scoot your feet in it. Hmm...
Carson turned 10 while we were gone, and Jeremy celebrated 37. Crazy! I cannot believe my baby is ten, and my hubby pushing 40. We are halfway done raising Carson. Time is flying by. One of his gifts was a photo album I made of his first 10 years. It was fun to make and great to reminisce. He has always been such a sweet kid. Sweet changes from 2 to 10, but he continues to be very affectionate and loving. He is dying for a pet and asked for a guinea pig, but changed his mind when I made him hold one first. Carson is a very typical first born son...rule follower, pleaser, loyal, hard working homebody. I predict he marries his high school sweet heart and buys a house up the road. That would be fine with me. I love that kid, quirks and all. He is my pride and joy.
Once we had our fill of the sand and the sun, we headed back to Chicago for a couple of days. We went to a Cubs/Cardinals game and then took in the Field Museum and Aquarium. We ate a couple great places and became subway masters cruising all over the city. It was exhausting, but so much fun together fun. Lots of great memories were made. Quote of the trip was from Knox though. In the lengthy wrap around line at the aquarium as he was holding his soon to be motor boats, he asked Maisy in his not so soft 3 year old voice. "Hey, Maisy, wanna go back to the hotel, get naked, get in the bathtub and play boats?"
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