We are growing up...

Yes we are growing up around here.  All of us.  5 out of the six of us have birthdays between September 3 and December 1st.  Little B is the lucky one who has her own month to celebrate, and her celebration usually lasts all summer long.

I am 37.
Maura is 8.
Sean is 38.
Mags is 7.
and the baby, KJ, is 4.

Yes, we are growing up.  (and of course, B is 5, but her birthday was a while ago)

Everyone seems to be thriving at this time.  Some at the cost of other's (mainly mine) sanity, but thriving none the less.  B's teacher called one day to explain what great growth is happening in her.  She is making great progress, she says.  For example, one day she was in the class library and threw a book on the floor.  When the teacher asked her to pick it up she said "no."

Hmmm... if that is progress, well then we are progressing immensely at home.  She throws things (sometimes punches) all the time.  And she can say no with the best of them!  She has also learned the art of apologizing.  Thank goodness.  If it weren't for those sweet, unprompted, "I am sorrys" she would be, well, I am not sure, but it would be worse.

Mags is just loving everything.  She really does.  She loves her teachers.  Her friends.  Her school.  Math. Reading. Gymnastics. Soccer. Movies. Crafts. Really, everything.  She is a real helper at home and her teacher says in school too.  She cleans her teacher's desk for her all the time!  She is a pleasure to be around and a pleasure to watch grow.  For her Birthday Party we went to Pancotts Gymnastics with 17 of her closest girlfriends, as would be expected... she loved it.  She is taking a class there, and, again, loves it.  We swear she is missing a joint or two.  She is very flexible.

KJ is a feisty one.  She still makes me laugh.  all.the.time.  Even when she is being stubborn.  Which is a lot.  She is so self sufficient and "street" smart it is sometimes scary.  She really is so aware of what is going on around her.  She also likes to hit.  Mostly me.  If she does not like what is happening, whether I have anything to do with it or not, she will run over to me and hit me!  At Thanksgiving dinner she was mad about something.  She grabbed a chair.  I asked her if she planned to throw it.  She shook her head, very emphatically, YES!  At least she is honest!?!?!  She refuses to sleep alone and is genuinely afraid of the dark.  She has adopted a new blankey which she loves.  Never really had one before.  Kerri is also a great artist still.  She spends hours in the classroom coloring, painting, gluing, etc.  It is nice to have a child that will sit for a while.  Mags sometimes joins her, but Maura and B have little interest in art.  For Kerri's birthday we went downtown on the train.  Saw the Nutcracker.  Light Show.  Dinner at Belmont.  She was in her glory.  Her sisters treated her very well.  We even let her "pick" the tree (with the input of the rest of us) the next day.

We are gearing up for the holidays.  So much to do.  I am trying to revel in the little things, but it can be crazy.  Trying to not let crazy take over.