Happy Mother's Day

A number of years ago I started trying to get a picture of me with all the kids around Mother's Day for a special Mother's Day Album (and did the same for GR and Father's Day). A place where we can look at pictures of the kids from each year, collect their cards along with the many handmade creations. Although I'm not in this picture, it will be our 2009 submission for the album (once I actually have time to assemble it!).



It was taken Friday evening in front of the dentists office. The girls had back to back appointments just before closing and after Alex spent the majority of Emily's appointment running the length of the office we went outside to work off some energy and run in the grass before someone either got hurt or the patience of the few people left in the office was exhausted. Once everyone was all finished, we took a line of shots out front and thankfully gone a pretty good one to send the Grandma's for mother's day.

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We all survived another Sunday. I survived my first sharing time and although extremely tempted, didn't throttle a single child, including my own. GR got home around 2pm and we headed out to his mom's for some playing time and then dinner.

During the warmer days of winter we noticed that the girls, especially Emily were getting too long for the battery operated cars. GR and Bob both started researching alternatives that would still be fun and safe and age appropriate but would better accommodate the girls height, length and weight. I wasn't excited about large, expensive, gasoline powered ATVs intended for adults, that could rip up the yard and a small child in a single tire revolution. And thankfully there were reasonable alternatives. We considered tween sized ATVs, golf carts, dune buggies, build-it-yourself options, and in the end, Bob and Diane settled on two go-karts.

They arrived around Rebecca's birthday and the kids have had a couple of opportunities since to drive/ride in them. In addition to a number of factory safety features we've implemented, the biggest rule is you must be seven to drive the go karts. Each time the girls get out and drive them, a new rule seems to be added. They are handling this in stride - in some cases better than the adults :) - and we've had many conversations with frustrated little girls that more rules aren't been laid down because we are mean, or because we don't want them to have fun, but because we love them very much and want everyone to be safe. Hopefully we'll get the last of the wrinkles ironed out and everyone will find a comfortable grove with the new cars and the summer will be a fun, and safe one for everyone.



Until this afternoon, Alexander has had ZERO interest in riding in the new cars, or driving any of the smaller cars. But today, he had the courage to ride with Emily, and had a blast!





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Tomorrow the children and GR have promised to prepare and plant the garden for me! All while I eat another one of these ...