Our Little Beastie Blog: Summer & Guilt

We looked at each other as the kids started to quiet and we thought of the chores left to do.

"Beastie Blog!"

This whole summer has felt like that. All this build up to the Florida trip and then... COVID... and now summer is almost over! Everett is heading into his last week of day camp, Imogen has two weeks before JrK starts, and Adelaide is understanding more than ever (ex: "go give this to Daddy," and SHE DOES).

When we sit and catalog all the things, we did do quite a bit... it just never feels like quite enough. Not enough play dates, not enough cleaning up around the house, not enough living "in the moment," oof. The guilt can really run away with us.

Then you add that we went on a big vacation and came home with COVID (along with some or our family), and the guilt takes up a lot of space.

We can't go back in time, so we did try to set up a couple fun things to round out the summer. And for now, we'll think back on what we have enjoyed the last couple months and the memories we want to hold on to.

Waddle Walk

In what has become a pattern, we were late for the Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS) Waddle Walk. We made it our three miles thinking of Obie, talking about him, and - yes - responding to endless complaining. Will these kids remember these hikes and lovingly exploring nature and taking in the majesty of California? Or will they remember whining and squabbling about who walks in front or who sings what part of which song? There's absolutely no way to know.

Waddle Walking up to Coyote Point - July 4, 2022

Everett Turns 6.5

What more is there to say? He's a legit "kid" now, almost a bona fide first-grader. He reads almost every day - trying to accumulate minutes for the library's summer reading program. Kiddo is driven to finish anything he starts... which is good? Right? That's good? It can be trying, but at the end of the day that tenacity will serve him well if he can harness it.

6.5! - July 7, 2022

While his progress in swim class been slow at best, his progress on land activities has been pretty wild to see. From hula hoop to batting practice, four square to flipping on the back yard bars, he's come a long way.

He's also developing quite a knack for strategy and gameplay. Now to figure out how to manage those big emotions when things don't go his way...

New to the repertoire - chess! Maybe Mommy and Daddy need to brush up on some chess strategy because we are just... winging it.

Imogen The Performer

She missed her recital to be in Florida, then COVID delayed our "recital encore" backyard bash. Thankfully, a few of her preschool friends came by to hang out and show off their moves. One friend even put on her costume to perform with Immy!

It is clear this girl loves a stage, and we need to do better getting her actually on one next season. She loves to wear fancy dresses to school and has even tried out purple hair! We love that she expresses herself in such fun ways and are making wonderful progress on using our words when things are upsetting.

Oh yeah, she also did the big hill at the bike park! And also had a couple falls and a fat lip. Thankfully, no missing teeth for this one.

Adelaide Racing Into Toddlerhood

She is just... amazing. So good natured, so hilarious, so loving, so silly, so bright! New skills include: repeating words more consistently, following simple instructions, self-feeding with a spoon, climbing onto the couch (yikes!), dancing alllllll the time.