It has been such a long time since I've written and I'm so sorry. Because of that, this will probably be a long one, so feel free to close your browser at any time. Condensing seven months into a few paragraphs is going to be hard, but I'll do my best!
Christmas came and went and it was wonderful. Every year seems to get better (and this is what concerns me - more to come on that in a bit). The Advent calendar, the songs, the tree, the parties, the elf on the shelf, the performances at school, Jesus' birthday, the cookies (oh the cookies!), the gifts, the giving of gifts, etc. The list just goes on. Everything is done with such joy and I realized early on in the month of December, that I couldn't wait to get up every morning with them. Each day was as exciting for me as it was for them, just to see them so jovial about whatever Christmas activity the day held.
In January, Colt had his adenoids removed and tubes put in his ears. Within a week of his surgery, he could breathe and hear, like he had probably not been able to do since he was a baby. In addition to this, we found out that Colt had two astigmatisms - one in each eye. They are so severe, that the doctor didn't know how he could even walk around normally. He struggled with reading in school, but I never knew it was because of his eyes. He never complained that he couldn't see and I knew he had hearing problems, so I thought it was due to that. So, one pair of bright blue glasses with alligators later, our boy got three of his senses back. Because of the struggles that came with all of this, we decided at the end of the year to hold Colt back. It became a little too much for him to try and catch up on the building blocks he missed out on the first four months of kinder, so we're going to let him try again - with all five senses in tact.
The boys started playing tee-ball in the spring and that was fun. It was Sam's first year to play and he thought he was SO big. He is still a young four, so he's learning the game. He loved being part of the team and getting to play with his brother. He looked oh so cute in his tiny cleats, pants and the smallest shirt they made went down past his knees. Colt also loved playing so much. He was the absolute fastest kid on the team and he got great hits every time he went up to bat. He was very competitive, but only against himself. He would high five his teammates and was constantly saying "great job buddy," he'd clap, give thumbs up and he always demanded a high-five for whatever play he made. It was so funny to watch him make a play or come in at home plate because he would look for any coach he could find, even if it was on the other team and wait for a high-five.
We just got back from our family vacation in Florida a few days ago and we had an amazing time! The boys just rode the waves, looked for crabs and "shark teeth." Colt found a rock that looked very much like a shark tooth. He carried it with him everywhere he went, he washed it, he told random people about it. We never had the heart to tell him the truth about his rock. It was hilarious. We could not get those kids out of the water. Bryan taught Colt about "surfing" and he'd use his boogie board to try and catch a good set of waves. I'd call him in to eat or re-apply sunscreen and he say, "wait mom, I'm going out to catch one more good set." My little Sam was braver than he has ever been. He was also riding waves (in his floatie) and he was catching crabs with his bare hands. He even caught a lion fish - in a net, thank goodness, because they're poisonous! Sam also learned how to swim in the pool while we were there!! This is a very big deal because if you know Sam, he won't even get his head wet.
While we were sitting on the beach, as we were in constant action under our tent, I looked over at the people next to us and noticed something that made my heart sink. It was a couple, about 10 years older than us and they were there with their two kids, probably between the ages of 15 and 17. The parents would come in and out of the water and talk and walk around, but the kids never left the tent. Each day we'd stay out there for hours and those same kids would just sit or lay there with books or just sleeping. Never talking to their parents, never going in the water - they just sat. I started thinking about my kids. Is this the climax of their lives with us? Will Christmas not excite them as much next year and then will it be a little less exciting the next year? Will they tell us in a few years that the beach bores them? They're SO happy and SO excited about everything in their little lives and it makes me sick to know that one day they may not be so excited. One day, life in general and life with us, might (gasp!) bore them. Ahh...I realize I can't think this way because it depresses me. The moment, this moment right now, is a complete high. They fight, whine, tattle, have meltdowns, argue, yell, etc. Don't get me wrong, they are not angels. We have lots of tears and not-so-good times - I mean, they're four and six. But when it's good, it's amazing. So, after pondering this for several days now, I choose to give it up. My kids will grow up, I have come to know that time is my greatest enemy, but in the meantime, I will cherish with elation every single thing that puts a smile on their little face!
Until next time...
Love, Sarah
