Seven

This kid turned seven!

Troy was working the day of Griff's birthday and my mom kindly took the three little ones to her house for the afternoon. I finished decorating this pikachu cake right before his party started. Then I realized neither of us had had any lunch... As I put the final touches on the cake I tested my newly seven year old's maturity and asked him to make us something quick for lunch. He fixed us up some KD and I felt like it was my first glimpse of his man-self. Makes me a bit emotional, but also so grateful for this stage... His conversation, humour, confidence... Just being able to equally enjoy one another's company.  

I love you Griffin xoxo

Four

Griff's birthday is coming up this weekend. I probably should get a post up about the four year old birthday we celebrated in January!

My newborn babes....

And in the same order... Four short years later... G - F - S

What a crazy cute bunch they are!

Baby A - miss Gibby (and very VERY proud of that one extra minute of life she has on the other two)... She is so nurturing and the sweetest most outgoing/outspoken child you will ever meet. She is also the most fiery little hot tempered emotional mess you could ever meet... Depends which minute you meet her.  

Baby B - Sunny... who was baby C through the entire pregnancy but managed to squeak out ahead of her brother. She seems to be my most reasonable of the three - maybe it's the blonde vs red hair? She always has lots of cuddles for me and is a sweet little helper.  She's got life figured out and knows how to leverage her supreme cuteness!  (She also enjoys a good diva pose)

My baby baby... Baby C. Fletch fits the bill as baby of the family in many ways. He loves being taken care of and usually prefers to be led (bossed) around by the other kids. He tells me he loves me several times a day and melts my heart everytime. He is still a sensitive guy - as he's been since he was born. Loud noises or getting into trouble really get him upset - although that doesn't seem to stop him from being a very noisy, stinky, goofy little boy!!

(This pic totally reminds me of faces he made as a baby!)

And that's that. Four years. In the blink of an eye!

Optimism

This kid of mine has the profound ability to overwhelm me with admiration and pride at times (when he's not too busy making weird/rude noises, cracking jokes, and being hyper). 

Yesterday at his swimming lesson he got his "half-way" report card. It tells us what swimming techniques he still needs to master in order to pass the current level. Griff still has 5 (of the 13) to complete. While I was reading it to him, two kids from his class kinda crept over and checked out his paper. The one little girl proudly announced that she only has one thing left to do on her sheet. And my reaction was to say "ok guys I don't think griff wants everyone looking at his paper".... And then my confident kid pipes up, "but mom! Look at all the big ones I've already finished!" Not a word or a care about what the other kids might think or what they've done in comparison. Just pride for what he's accomplished so far. Pure, honest, optimism. I was so proud (and humbled). Man oh man I sure hope he never loses this confidence. This awesome positivity! I could learn a thing or two from this goofball. 

UPDATE JAN 15th: that positive attitude paid off. Griffin passed!!!