The end of an era

It all started nine and a half years ago...Rachel got a present from my mom's cousin, Mary. It was a super-soft, white bear. Immediately, she became attached to that bear and carried it with her everywhere. She simply named him, "Bear." She slept with him for a couple years straight before he was accidentally forgotten. After many tears and a substitute unicorn, she made it through that night, but he was not forgotten again for many years.

Over the past year or so, sleepovers have been arranged on the spur of the moment, and I've been able to talk Rachel out of the obligatory drive over to bring Bear. But, he still had a warm spot in her bed every night here.

Last week, as we were hanging a new shelf in her room, Rachel decided that she was willing to put Bear up there for good. I could tell it was a decision she felt she needed to do because she was growing up but that it was hard to do. So, he now has a prime location on her shelf overlooking her room. I'm happy that she decided to put him up before he was too destroyed. He's no longer white or soft. He's been sewn a few times to fix broken seams. But, he's been such a part of Rachel's childhood that I wanted to keep him as a memento.

It was very much a bittersweet moment for me. I'm happy to be done having to remember that Bear on every trip or search the house high and low to find him to get her to sleep. But, it's a clear sign that she's growing up. My baby girl is no longer a baby and that definitely brings tears to my eyes.

New Responsibilities

I read an article about a lady that was dying of cancer. She wanted to find ways to help her family after she was gone, so one thing she did was to teach each of her kids to make one meal. I think she had 5 kids, so she figured they would at least be able to make these 5 meals. I found this incredibly sad, but I liked the idea of teaching kids to make a specific meal. While the kids have always helped some in the kitchen, I wanted to pick meals for each of them that they would always be responsible for helping me with, so they could learn how to make something from start to finish.

We've just started this, and it is working out very well. Rachel has picked the family favorite of Parmesan Chicken. She even made some (almost on her own) for our neighbor that just had a baby. Matthew helped make spaghetti last night - and only Matthew, which led to some frustrations because everyone wanted to help. But, the beauty of it is that one kid gets that special role at a time.

So, tonight, it was Zack's turn. We had a simple dinner of pancakes and sausage links. Despite the flour all over my newly-cleaned kitchen floor and the egg shells I had to pick out, I let Zack do most of the work. I even let go enough to let him pour the batter on the griddle. It was hard because I'm surprisingly a little bit of a Nervous Nelly. He loved it and did such a great job.

After soccer, we came back to cook the remaining batter for frozen pancakes. Alex and Rachel really wanted to help this time, so I let them take it on themselves. I had to look away a little and let my desires to control the situation go, but once I did, it was like a light bulb went on. They happily cooked pancakes for 30 minutes while I cleaned up, read with Zack, put Matthew to bed. I really saw the beauty

of this new plan. I think we might be having pancakes for breakfast every night!

The new (and improved?) Naked Chef

At least by this point, I had made him put something else on besides his underwear that he was wearing to bed.

Just like the big kids!

Matthew always wants to be just like his brothers. It's been bothering him that he can't read like them, ride bikes like them, etc. Well, we fixed the bike problem. Once I got him over his fear of riding in the road, he took off like a pro.

I had video of better riding skills, but I loved the little smile at the end of this one. I didn't have the camera out when he would fall, then jump up and come running and squealing toward me because he was so excited. It was so cute because he was proud of himself.

Deja vu? Zack just happened to be wearing the same shirt when he learned to ride a bike. Maybe the shirt has super powers!

First Communion

On May 1st, Alex celebrated his First Communion. He looked so handsome in his little suit. It wasn't quite the production to get the outfit ready as it was for Rachel, but I still loved seeing him all dressed up.

With his godmommy, Aunt Tara

UVA with Abby and Matt

My friend from college, Abby, wanted to meet up in Charlottesville to run the 1/2 marathon with Dave. So, we headed down for a couple days to meet up with them. It was great to see them and UVA. It felt so nice we even looked a little at real estate booklets.

Here we are bright and early preparing to cheer Abby and Dave on as they pass 1 mile into the race.

Then, the kids and I walked 1 mile to the finish and met up with the jungle gym, um...Matt. He provided great entertainment for my kids by swinging them around, tickling them, putting them on his shoulders and playing tag with the others. The kids absolutely adored him, but they wouldn't leave him alone all day. I'm sure Matt enjoyed it but was glad to see us go.

Apparently the course was super hilly, so Dave and Abby were both happy with their performance. It was fun to be there and cheer them on.

We played football and threw a frisbee on the lawn, had some ice cream on the corner and bought some UVA merchandise at the bookstore. It was nice to relive the glory days. Here the kids are posing in front of the Rotunda.

Doyle's Visit

We were blessed to have Alice and her 4 youngest girls come visit with us for a couple weeks. We really loved having them around to go to celebrate Rachel's birthday, Easter, and just everyday events like soccer games. Rachel particularly loved having girls around to play with. It was fun! Here are just a few pictures of our time together.

Matthew, Zack, Sophie and Ella dye eggs

Easter group pic

Matthew and Sophie

Rachel takes Sophie for a ride

Grace, Mia and Ella on a cannon at the Manassas Battlefield

Matthew beats Alice in a race. He still talks about how is faster than Aunt Alice.

Ten??? Really?

I cannot believe that I have been a parent for 10 years. I still get flashes of disbelief that I am mature enough to be responsible for these children. It's been such an unbelievable ride, and it's probably going to get bumpier with a "tween" as she so often likes to remind me that she has become at 10.

Having the 3 boys, I'm so thankful to have a daughter. She is such a strong and confident person. She is so talented in ways that are so different from her brothers, and she's just happy with the person that she is. I love it! She sang a solo at church for Easter. I was so impressed and proud of her for being able to sing strong and confidently with 1500 people there. I was nervous, but she did great!

I had decided years ago when Rachel wanted her ears pierced that she could get it done for her 10th birthday. That way she would be old enough to decide for herself and do all the work to keep them clean. She has been counting down the days until her 10th birthday for a couple years now, so she was super excited. It was fun to have her Aunt Alice and cousins here to go with her.

Looking very nervous

Ouch!

Pretty blue flowers

One example of Rachel's great heart is this sweet letter I found just written on the board waiting for Zack to find. Makes a mom proud!