7 things

Two days ago, Annika turned 7.  For some reason that number just hit me as being older.  6 doesn't pack the same punch as 7.  Seven years old.  Hmmm.  I 've been a mom for seven years.  I wonder if I can apply for tenure? 4 kids age 7 and under...that's gotta count for something! Most of all, it just makes me relish in God's goodness.

As Annika was talking on the phone the other day to Auntie Anna who called to wish her a Happy Birthday, I sat back and watched.  I noted how the chubby cheeks have slowly gone away.  The holes in her smile are filling in with permanent teeth (already saving up for braces).  She's getting taller by the day. She was having a real conversation.  She's having real emotions about legitimate problems.  Next year she won't even have to be in a booster seat anymore!  I got a little choked up.  Surely this isn't the same little girl who stole our hearts and started us on this path of parenthood!

But before I cry, here are 7 things I love about my 7 year old:
1) How much she is in love with our family, especially her little sister and brothers.
2) How she is (usually) more than willing to help around the house
3) How she says, "Seriously, mom?" like a teenager, but still says the word "yogurt" like when she was three.
4) How she makes you feel little extra special with her hugs
5) How she says "I love you mom" when she knows it's been a rough day (due only to her siblings of course).
6) How she loves to explore and figure out the world around her (can you say future engineer?!)
7) Lastly, but most important, how she is a lover of Jesus.

And to think it all started out like this...

Now I think it's only fitting to show pictures of Annika doing what she does best...loving on and helping her sister and brothers...

Taryn

Landon

and, finally, Simon

Happy Birthday Annika!  Mommy and daddy love you so much!

Back in session

I think that as long as I have school age kids and I am living here in the Midwest, the start of school will sneak up on me.  For 13 years, I started school the day after Labor Day. September was just when school started (I think there was something in the Constitution, I'm just sayin'). Well, the first day of school for Annika was today and it's the 17th of August!! It seems like every year they move it up too.  Who knows next year we may start on the 5th of July, the 4th is a holiday after all.  It just doesn't seem right that school has started.  I guess it all pays off when we are out of school by Memorial Day.

Today, I brought Annika to school and she didn't shed a tear, don't ask how I did.  Let's just say I put on a brave face.  I think that is the way it's going to be every year.  Taryn does start Pre-K after Labor Day, and then I think the water works will really come...and some may even be shed by her.  Will be sure to post about how that goes.

We took the obligatory pics in front of the front door...one without the brothers and sisters

and one with (Taryn didn't feel the need to join in the picture)..

and we took the obligatory pic in front of her desk.

Sigh.  It's already gone by too fast.  Next thing you know she will be driving herself to school.  That is until I saw this on the way to dropping her off...(I snapped a quick picture on my way home).

From those gathered on the sidewalk it looked like they were all high-schoolers on their way to the local high school that is just down the road from Annika's school. The police officer on the scene was standing in front of them and looked as though he was giving them all a very stern lecture.

Nope, no license, EVER!  I will be bringing her to school every day for the rest of her life. I'm not sure how she will explain it to her college roommate, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it...with me driving, of course.

There and back: The End!!

This summer blogging has been lacking.  But, now that school is getting started up again, I am sure I will have LOADS of time to sit in front of the computer, right?  :)
Thought I would quick finish up our summer trip that we took, umm, two months ago.
Here we go:
On the last day of our stay in Virginia, we took a trip down south to the old "hood."  Not too much as changed.  Dan did knock on the door of the townhome to see if anyone was home so we could take a look around, but alas, no one was there.

We stopped by the hospital where 3 out of the 4 kiddos were born.

Sadly, on Tuesday it was time to say goodbye to Virginia.  But we had a few exciting stops along the way home.
Dollywood!!

Getting wet on the River Battle.

Then we made a little side trip to St. Louis to see the arch.  We were able to go to the top.

The tram ride up wasn't ideal for for a mama who gets claustrophobic. I just kept my eyes on the stairs outside to remind myself that I could always take the stairs down if for some reason this tiny, itty, bitty little tram stopped working. (Even typing this makes my tummy queasy!).

Then we got to the top, and it wasn't ideal for a daddy who is afraid of heights.  Don't we make a great couple?

We entered the Arch's address into the GPS... apparently it didn't get the message about the flooding.

Anyone want to float down the Riverfront?

All in all, it was a great trip.  Definitely one that we will do again.
Alright, now I can cross this blog off my "to do" list and school can begin!