In case you forgot how to play Bingo, Thing 4 explains all the rules.
Quite An Accomplishment
Of all the parenting moments I’ve experienced over the last 10 years, one of the most fulfilling, surprisingly, is teaching my kids how to ride a bike.
Maybe because it wasn’t so simple to do. Maybe because they weren’t as eager to learn as I hoped. It’s an amazing thing to watch, really. One minute they are saying they can’t do it. And then it clicks, and they are off and riding.
Here is Thing 3 in just his second try.
Honestly Good
Here’s a news flash – juice drinks marketed to kids aren’t always good for them. Often there is extra sugar, preservatives, or artificial ingredients added.
Then there are the products that are all natural and better for them, but they taste bad. My kids always see right through these products no matter how cool the packaging looks. ?If it tastes bad, they won’t drink it.
The nice folks at?Honest Kids – ?a line of organic kids drinks from the makers of Honest Tea with flavors like Tropical Tango Punch, Appley Ever After, and Berry Berry Good Lemonade – offered me some samples and I put them to the test. ?After all, it says “organic” on the label and they contain 30% juice, so they must be healthy, right? ?By the way, 30% juice doesn’t seem like a lot but I guess it’s better than most.
As you can see, Things 3 & 4 both liked it. ?And if you look really close, you can also see Thing 2 giving his vote of approval in the background.
The Rules
Kids need rules. Lots of them. These were mostly for Thing 3 at six years old. Now when he says he has nothing to do, he can select something off the list.
Beach Week
Our annual week at the beach has evolved considerably from the early years. I have to say, this year’s trip was by far the best so far. And by best, I mean the most relaxing. We still had to deal with the occasional meltdowns of a 3 year old who is used to napping every day. But overall it was a great week.
In a masterful display of packing, we had everything a family of six needs for a week in the trunk of the minivan.
The boys raced go-karts. Thing 3 had to stand on his toes to make the 46 inch height requirement.
SuburbanMommy and Thing 4 were all business at dinner.
On a sunset dolphin cruise we spotted many dolphins. Thing 3 insists he also saw a blue whale even though the water was mostly 3 feet deep.
Thing 3 took part in a July 4th watermelon eating contest.
It rained the first few days but it didn’t slow down Thing 4.
The sun finally came out and we spent plenty of time at the beach.
We were thankful to have an extra pair of hands with us.
Mornings began with a walk to the bakery. Donuts for breakfast.
On very rare occasions everyone will stand still and look at the camera at the same time.
No one was very eager to get back into the car for the long drive home.
On the drive home, Thing 1 was already looking at the catalog of rentals for next year.
A Trip To The Doctor
When Thing 3 is involved, you never know what he’s going to say. Which means any time spent with him will be entertaining.
I took Thing 2 and Thing 3 to the doctor for their annual checkup. Thing 2 just turned eight and Thing 3 turned six.
As we were walking into the building, there was a frail, elderly man walking slowly with a cane. Thing 3, who never has an unspoken thought, called a lot of attention to the “guy with an old man cane”.
I immediately had flashbacks of being in a men’s locker room with Thing 3 and a noticeably overweight man. So I decided we should take the stairs rather than risk being in a confined space with Thing 3 and the old man.
We were in the examining room. The doctor came in carrying both of their charts.
As Thing 3 climbed up on the table, in nothing but his boxer briefs and a pair of socks, the doctor said, “So you are six years old now.”
Thing 3 exclaimed, “How did you know that!”
It’s the same reaction he has when Santa knows stuff about him.
I noticed he was wearing his underwear inside out. And his socks were also inside out. Why? Because he likes it that way.
Then, out of the blue Thing 3 tells the doctor, “Don’t touch my wiener”.
Just another day with Thing 3. He can make a routine trip to the doctor entertaining.
Happy 8th Birthday
This is what 8 years old looks like. Happy Birthday Thing 2!
Baseball Game
Today was a milestone of sorts. Our first sporting event with all six of us. Thing 4 and I spent more time walking around the stadium than watching the game. And Thing 3 was more interested in the snow cones. We were glad to have an extra pair of hands from Suburban Uncle.
