Update

I was blown away by your sweet comments to my last three eternally long posts. Seriously, thank you so much they all meant so much to me. Thank you!

The biggest thing to happen around here lately is that Anna has gone and somehow gotten old enough to go to girls camp!!!!! What? Seriously, yes kids grow up quickly and everyone tells you that and you kind of think, uh huh whatever, but, it's true. It's just that my memories from being at girls camp are so vivid, how could that have been what seems like 10 years ago TOPS and now my firstborn is there? It just doesn't add up. Sigh. Oh and then to add insult to injury my baby is turning 1 in exactly 1 week. I don't want to talk about it.

So, word is Anna's doing great. Whew. I'm praying my guts out that she'll have a blast. I loved girls camp I hope she does. She's such a great kid, and I miss her so much. Honestly I feel like I'm missing a limb. It's weird. The night before she left her poor little sister was so sad and was crying herself to sleep. I went down to tell Anna something and found her bed empty. I peeked in Abby's room and there was Anna curled up next to Abby on her bed rubbing her back and comforting her. Oh.So.Sweet. We love Anna.

Abigail is a busy bee. "The King and I" performances start on the 10th so rehearsals are getting intense. She loves it and we're getting so excited to see her in it. Abby told me the other day, "Mom a lot of my friends' Moms buy my friends everything they want for their dolls whenever they want. (She is really into American Girl Dolls) I think you are a smart mom not to do that. That's what I'm going to do when I'm a mom." How great is she? How in the world is she wise enough to see the wisdom in my depriving her? We love Abby.

Nathan is obsessed with Subway, you know the sandwhich shop. Anyway, he was raving about it to Abby and said, "You can choose whatever cheese you want, like American cheese, England cheese..." He was also telling me about something fun he did with Rex on "Remorial (Memorial) Day". Latley he spells everything. "M-o-m, I w-a-n-t..." you get the picture, it's not my favorite mostly because it takes a lot more energy to listen to and comprehend on my part, but I have to say he is an excellent speller. He seems so old to me, he just knows things, like every member of the Celtics team and how to text (he picked up my phone tonight and texted Brennan, what?) Anyway, when did 7 year olds get so old? (Okay so this growing up way too fast seems to be a theme tonight. The thing is I really am loving having older kids they're so much fun it just makes me sad that I can't have little ones too)We love Nate.

Benjamin is such a summer boy. He's tan and his hair is sun bleached and his big huge eyes seem even bluer (is that a word?). He loves being outside and plays hard. At the end of the day he often begs us to put him to bed. I love that. He's so incredibly independent but still so sweet and affectionate. A while ago we finally took his pacifier (he calls it a "beep") away except for nighttime. The other night he couldn't find it so that was that. His best companion for the last 4 years is gone and he's been fantastic about it. I'm so happy and relieved and proud of him. He watched me make a salad the other day and as he peered into the bowl he snickered and said, "that's just embarrassing!" I have no idea what he thinks embarrasing means, but it really caught me off guard and really cracked me up. We love Benny.

Joshua finally decided to crawl a few weeks ago, but mostly cruises around the furniture or our legs or anything else he can hold onto. I make everyone always keep the bathroom door shut so he won't go in there, but the doorknob isn't working right so he's figured out if he pushes on the door it will open. He loves that trick so much it makes me feel so sad when I can't reward him by letting him hang out in the bathroom. He's mostly a happy squash, but is definitely starting to get some opinions and letting us know them. He's adorable and we love Josh.

We are loving Summer. It's truly a blessing to have a family, both immediate and extended. I'm so grateful for these kiddies of mine, they sure do make life interesting. They're challenging, exhausting, loving, joyful, incredible kids. I wouldn't trade them for all the sleep or money or peace and quiet in the world. What a blessing a great husband is. Brennan is the best, I love him.