Jack, the reluctant rock climber ...

After our church campout, we went to relax in Sunriver, Oregon. It was fantastic, and much needed. At the place we stayed, they had free rock climbing times. The kids were so very excited. Jack got the harness on and was ready to climb. He only went as high as the second picture shows, and then FEAR set in. He said that he did not want to go any higher unless he was standing on a platform. Kyle tried to talk him into facing his fear, but he would have none of it. He ended up crying as he came down, and said to us that he does not like being high up. I guess he has more fear than he lets onto, which I am sure comes from me. We will just hold out hope that he overcomes it and climbs higher next time.

For you, Pops ....

Jack has officially joined the ranks of being a fisherman!

He LOVES it, his father LOVES it, and his mother is glad that they have each other. A father son bond to be there through thick and thin. God has given Kyle a blessing in Jack!

Two thoughts for today ....

1. The kids were great today! We came home from walking to the grocery store for some last minute items for our church campout this weekend. I had told them when we got home that I needed to do some work to get ready to leave tomorrow so they needed to play somehow. We are going on TWO and A HALF HOURS of continuous happy play together in both of their rooms - they played together and separately. Ahh .... the joys of having a 7 year old and a 5 year old! ( Now, I realize that tomorrow could be filled with fighting and tears, but today was a grand day with "older" children )

2. While packing for thus stated camping trip, I needed to pack a couple of long pants for each kid so that in the morning and at night when it is chilly they are not cold. I started to pack Jack's clothes and proceeded to have him try on EVERY long pant in his drawers with no luck. HE HAS SUCCESSFULLY OUTGROWN ALL OF HIS LONG PANTS THIS SUMMER! At least we have some sweat pants that will work for this last trip. For those lucky enough to have visited with Jack this summer, you will know that his 82 pounds that I went on and on about has been the reason for his pants not growing. ( Good thing we cancelled a end of the summer camping trip with friends - now we get to spend that money on CLOTHES for our children! Ahh ... the joys of parenthood! )

Flower explosion....

Jack's big kid teeth...

(This is a classic Jack Parker look!)

Jack lost his two upper front teeth right at the end of school, and his new teeth were right there ready to take the space. I have loved watching these teeth come in all summer. I love to watch how they change the look of my young son. I realize that I am a bit goofy about it, but it really does change him. His upper teeth just barely meet the bottom ones, so I am curious to go back to the ortho and see what the next step is. I thought maybe he would have to wear the headgear again, but after examining him tonight I am hopeful that they can finish correcting it through braces!

Oh hair, where have you gone...

We have been toying with the idea of shaving Jack's head with the 1/8 inch clipper. Well when we got back from vacation, I proposed the idea and he jumped at he. He LOVES his hair this short. It was so cute to see him rubbing his hand up and down it all night after we cut it. I love it, and while I love him with hair I figure we will have battles down the line about hair so why not try the really short while everyone is game at the same time!

For you, mom...

It might be too hard to see, but Kyle and I planted some summer color out in front this year. This is the view from our kitchen window. I was really happy with the paperbark maple that we planted along with the rose of sharon and the other things, but nothing had that summer color. So, we went to our trusty nursery - Bloomers - and asked what would be good. We decided on some coreopsis, hummingbird mint, loebella, and some lupine - which we happened to get a white, a purple, and a pink without even trying. These additions make me smile whenever I am doing dishes - which is a lot these days because our dishwasher is out of service for now!