Birthday Party Saturday
I am having one of those days, where I am seriously questioning my parenting skills! Things have been relatively smooth for the last four years. I think kids that are 1 & 2 are pretty easy. You just keep them fed, clothed, and happy! At Jack's age of 4 1/2, things have definitely gotten harder. Throw in the sibling fighting, and it's enough to make anyone crazy. I never knew it would be this hard, to navigate parenting and raising happy, healthy children. I struggle to balance letting my kids be who they are (individuals who are both like Kaleb & I, and have their own qualities too), with wanting them to be well-behaved reflections of us! I know we all struggle with this, but today is just one of those days I seriously question all that I know about child-rearing!!! There has GOT to be a manual somewhere right? Anybody..anybody?!!

We spent today making the rounds at birthday parties. Our first stop was Madisyn's 5th Princess Birthday party! Jack informed me that he does not like princesses :) Here he is swimming with Madeline, who he gets along with really well. They were swimming "laps" and actually doing a really good job!
Colby got to get in the water & seriously had no fear! He kept jumping in & trying to swim. Kaleb would pull him back up & he'd have a huge smile on his face!

Here is the Big 5 Year Old, Madisyn! I love this picture of her...it shows her personality so much! She is a sweet girl :)

This is Madeline (who is in Jack's preschool class!), Madisyn, and Jackson. We all live in the same neighborhood, but didn't meet that way!

And then we went over to John's 2nd Birthday Party! He is one week older than Colby, and his mom Jenny & I used to teach together (and now we scrap together!). Here is Colby with John & Nick, John's little friend, doing sidewalk chalk.

There is the handsome birthday boy! Don't you just love the red hair??!! He is a sweet boy too :)