Growing up

Josie just celebrated her 6th birthday. She is getting so big - sometimes too big, I think.

As she was in the process of blowing out her colorful, wavy candles which decorated her "Cinderella and Prince Charming" cake, we reminded her to make a wish.

When we asked her what she wished for - we expected to hear the normal "a pony, a puppy, or even I can't tell you, it won't come true"

What we got was a surprise to say the least.... "Wishes aren't real...they don't come true". I was torn between how big she was getting and how incredibly sad I was to hear that come from someone so young.

But neither of the kids are ones to be caught up in make belive or fantasy. I'm not sure why...

Even at a very young age Wyatt "acts" out scenes more than he pretends when he plays with his cars, trains or dinosaurs. Josie doesn't play with her baby dolls, they spend thier time tossed in a corner of her room next to their clothes, play bottles and little strollers.

It gets to the point where there doesn't seem to be a reason to buy toys...they don't play with them. Then all of a sudden out of no where - they will decide to play with something or another and I will think "there, its finally clicked" only to have that toy too, tossed in a corner amid the other play things that are consistantly ignored.

Get On Your Bikes And RIDE!

We have made a strong effort to have a family fun day of some sort every weekend.
This started out being board games and pizza on Saturday. The kids absolutley love this time that they spend with us all together, as do we.

It is fun to watch them figure things out, wether its Wyatt learning the game of Clue and to not shout out all of the information that he has figured out...or watching Josie beam with pride at winning Disney Bingo because she has watched Hercules more times that I previously thought humanly possible.

This past weekend we decided to get them up and moving outside. It was BEAUTIFUL, sunny, warm; the trees were beginning to turn to fall colors - fabulous!
We took them to the trail by the Thornapple River.

Josie rode her bike while Paul, Wyatt and I walked. We had fun seeing everyones spooking Halloween decorations - in the safety of the day...exploring the trail, seeing swans, herons, bugs, etc.

I think the best part though was what happened on our way home.

Josie had gotten tired of riding her bike and Wyatt was walking it for her (a new sense of chivalry creeping into my son)...when Paul suggested that he try riding it.

Now, up to this point, Wyatt balked everytime we even thought about him learning to ride a bike without training wheels...he would literally break down into crying, whining and an annoying chorus of "I CAN'Ts).

This time, however, he decided to give it a shot....and after a couple of tries was off riding! RIDING WITHOUT TRAINING WHEELS! He was so proud of himself...we were so proud of him. Even Josie joined in the cheering.

As we walked home with him, he began planning all of the things he could do with his new found sense of freedom...thankfully this lasted long enough for him to see that he can ride his own bike without training wheels. He got on and took off down the sidewalk with a look of pure joy on his face.

It is amazing to watch them grow in times like that.