Lucky 13!!!

It happened.

Without my permission.

She did it.

She turned into a

TEENAGER!!!

Why do they do that?

Where is that curly-haired pixie with the sleeping beauty gown on?

Where are the days of baby dolls and dress-up,

play dates and trips to the McDonald's maze?

They have been replaced with school, soccer, drama and friends. 

Both are good but different. 

Both are a chapter in the Book of Life.

No one wants to re-read the same chapter over and over so the pages in the book have to be turned.

 As much as we may fight it as a parent we have to let them grow up.

It is hard to except that they don't need or often times want us as much as they used to.

It is hard to except that they are not as "cute" as they once were especially when they talk back, have attitudes and generally think you were put on earth to make their lives miserable.

Gone are the days when you could bribe them to "behave" with a pack of Skittles.

Life is definitely more complicated but the rewards are exponential as you witness your child becoming a productive and worthy member of society.

I know that Carson is destined for great things. I do miss her cute 2 year old self but I truly enjoy her as a smart, sweet, loving, capable 13 year old. I know it won't be all "peaches and cream" for this next chapter in her life but I am looking forward to watching and hopefully participating (if she'll tolerate it) in her growth as a person.

I love you so much and I am so proud of the person you are today.

Happy 13th Birthday, Snookie!

(not the one from "Jersey Shore"- a nickname Kevin gave her when she was little)

Out of the Mouths of Babes?

Kids say funny things!

While eating dinner one night Brett chimed in:

"Mom, you know what you have to try? Tilapia! It is delicious."

Really? Tilapia? How many 6 year olds know what Tilapia is let alone think it is delicious?

This weekend Griffin was giving Brett a hard time about something and Brett starting crying.

We told him to ignore Griffin and to not be so sensitive. Brett stated:

"I can't help it because Griffin keeps ANTAGONIZING me!"

He didn't say bugging, bothering or even annoying he said ANTAGONIZING!

I think he is ready for the SAT!

No Can Do, Mom!

This is the pin to hold up our porch umbrella but Whit thinks it is his "Captain Hook" hook- ARRGH!

(photos by Carson)

Whit definitely has a mind of his own. I often ask him to do little tasks like:

Whit, can you pick up your shoes?

Whit can you get in your seat?

Whit can you come here so I can brush your teeth?

Whit can you come here so I can help you get your pants back on?

Whit can you open the door for me?

Whit can you come get in the tub?

(You get the idea)

Well, lately he has decided to answer with the following statement:

No Can Do, Mom!

I just LOVE a sassy 3 year old!

Back to Home?

These 2 are not officially among the back to school crowd but I couldn't leave them out. If they are willing I am able to take a picture or two. You know what they say-

"Strike while the irons hot"

so if they are going to cooperate I am going to shoot away because you never know when the mood will strike again for them!

Back to School continued.....

Here are Carson's Back to School photos. She started 8th grade- her LAST year of middle school- AAAHHH!

In a couple of weeks she will enter a new chapter in her life-

TEENAGER!!!

How did that happen?

In my mind I still see her prancing around in her Sleeping Beauty gown carrying her blue blanket and playing with all of her "Polly Pockets"!

Then, I look at her in this pictures and see that she is now a beautiful, young lady! Sometimes a little dramatic but mostly sweet, kind, smart, helpful and very talented.

I know that she is going to have a GREAT year!

Smart A@% Teenager!

So happy to be in 11th grade!

This may be the only book Griffin opens all year!

To COOL for school!

Griffin decided to make a mockery of my back-to-school photos but at least he did participate!

It is very hard to get a 16 year old boy to agree to get their photo taken so I guess I should be thankful that I got a few shoots even if my subject was trying to be funny (nice way of describing it).

He is also very proud of his facial hair. We keep trying to convince him that he looks better clean shaven but you know what they say- "Pick Your Battles" and facial hair isn't really worth a big fight to me. I can't believe he is old enough to even have a beard! Plus, he keeps talking about next year and going off to college after that and I tell you I just don't want to hear it or think about it so I am going to pretend that it isn't going to happen- Sounds good. I'll live in denial for now.

Apple(s) of My Eye

I decided to do a little back-to-school photo shoot with the school-aged kids. Needless to say some were more interested than others but they all cooperated long enough for me to get some pics. Here are the elementary school kids. Hadley is starting 4th grade and Brett is starting 1st. He is very worried that his afternoons will be consumed with "SO MUCH HOMEWORK" that he won't have time for his sports- we have tried to explain that 1st graders aren't usually bogged down with work but he doesn't believe us! Hadley isn't worried at all- not a surprise. She is just happy to be going back to her friends. Thankfully one of her very good friends is in her class so that should make for a good year.