It's ok

I'm Sorry

Rainy Saturday

Post dinner kids

Rubik's Cube-ing at the farm

Happy Birthday Molly!

Dear Molly,

Eleven. You are Eleven! Wowza!

Another year, with all the ups and downs and many trials and tribulations. I continue to feel so incredibly lucky to have you in our lives - lucky to be getting to know you each year as you change, grow, and stay everything that makes you YOU!

The past year has seen you set and achieve many goals - most notably in swimming. First you set a goal to make the swim team, and you did. More recently, you set a goal to earn a ribbon in a swim meet. And you did. It hasn't been easy, but you've worked at it hard and now those ribbons really mean something!

It's also been fun creating art and other projects with you - and listening to you remind me that things don't have to be perfect. Indeed, things are better when they are complete, and that doesn't necessarily mean perfect. And you're completing more and more things - learning that sometimes if you want something done you have to do it yourself, rather than wait for the ever-busy adults to do it (or not). Like last night - you knew you didn't have to wait for a parent to help you make cookies for your class -- you just did it! (and they are delicious!)

This past year also saw you go to sleep away camp for the first time, take an amazing trip with your grandmothers (no parents!), begin your last year of elementary school, pick your middle school, write many many books, cards, and other mini-projects, and grow your hair longer than it's ever been before (an accomplishment due to the hair brushing drama that goes along with your hair).

And your little sister continues to look up to you, love you, totally annoy you, and excite you. You two make up ridiculous dances, funny handshakes, and crazy games in between all the regular bickering and negotiations. You've been walking (or scooting!) her to school almost every day this year, and while it's not always easy, it is wonderful for us to watch the two of you practice your independence.

I know the next year will continue to see more independence, creativity, strength, and fun. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us all!

love,
mama

Double Day: Sofi & Dieter

Many years ago, we somehow got the idea to celebrate Molly & Clara's "Double Day" - the day that Molly was exactly 2x Clara's age. We had fun with that, and then Zach figured out how to make a Double Day calculator, which resulted in a fun website where you can enter two birthdates and find the double day for those two folks.

At some point along the way, I must have entered in myself and my dad, and then put in a google calendar entry for that, because this morning I got a calendar reminder that today was that special day for me and Dieter!

Today I am: 39.6 years / 1204 months / 14448 days old
Dieter is: 79.2 years / 2408 months / 28896 days old

I made a quick little card for him and we had a few minutes of fun talking about what it means and marveling at the world. I'm so happy that I got to share this bit of fun with him, and that he enjoyed it as much as I did.