While I have composed at least a dozen blogs in my head over the past several months, I realize that is little solace to those looking for new, juicy tidbits about our lives since it's been five months since my last post. Definitely time for a change.
In fact, that's what today's missive is all about: change.
Since June, the Porter family has been all about change. I like to think of it as keeping us on our toes, staying clear of the inevitable groove, shaking things up, etc. We're still trying to come to terms with the resulting disconcernment, but I think all in all, it's been a good thing. Here's a quick list of some of the notable differences:
1. I quit my corporate job and have been home with my kids for two months. Honestly, as happy as I've been in a long time. I'm well-rested, exercising, eating well and most important - much more in tune with my kids and family. They might argue that they'd prefer a little less "mom time," but I know it's been a good thing. I will likely pick up some contract work in the fall, but don't have any plans to return full-time to the workforce anytime soon. If that "job of a lifetime" appears someday, I might, but for now, we're a stay-at-home-mom kind of family.
2. Evan is officially a "dude." His summer has been consumed by doing, inventing and thinking about what's "cool." This includes:
- making friendship bands (he's sporting at least half a dozen on his wrists at all times)
- teaching himself how to ride a unicycle
- pulling his shorts down past his bum (thankfully, he pulls them back up again once he gets the desired reaction)
- making up a secret language, handshake, etc., with his friend, Will
- doing the camp circut where every camp was "awesome," including Lego Robotics (his team won four of the five competitions), Boy Scout Camp (he got to shoot a BB gun), Bike Camp (we up "death hill" without stopping, using his gears), and Camp Collins with Will (five-night sleep-away camp, one shower all week, swimming every day, climbing wall, etc.).
- graduating to a more senior swimming class (and away from the all-class "Motorboat" songfest that happens at the end of the session for those poor souls still learning in the shallow end)
- "cracking" on command (one of those things I shouldn't laugh at in case it encourages him to fart more, but truth be told, it's funny. His delivery is usually prefaced with "wait for it, wait for it . . ." then boom. It always makes me smile)
- developing a "cool" speaking stype that includes "whassup??" "hey, baby" "dude" and "nuh-uh" All done with a slow, sarcastic lilt and accompanying hand signals (finger shooting, etc.)
- cutting his hair (see pics below). To be clear, this happened only when he realized he could go to a special barbershop where a woman would cut his hair while he munched on popcorn, drank soda, and watched whatever he wanted on cable. He was sold.
- Losing his braces. I call him, "Mr. Hollywood" because his teeth are so straight and white.
3. Rose has also seen some changes in her single-minded quest to be seen as a "big kid":
- she goes to school three days a week, instead of five. This can be challenging for all of us on those days when she cranks up the loud/whine/cry/tantrum/four-year-old meter, but most of the time, we try to do fun things that she wants to do. Examples include elaborate make-believe in her room, seeing friends, baking cookies, playing a game or reading.
- she is develping a unique sense of humor. She's already got excellent comedic timing and can deliver the punchline of a joke quite nicely. She usually steals her material from her favorite show "Phinneas and Ferb" or her brother. Anything that makes Evan laugh is fair game (unfortunately, this includes body sounds, which really gets him going). Thankfully, she hasn't yet mastered "cracking."
- she went to a "real" camp. She went to the Little House on the Prairie camp, where she learned to make shampoo and ice cream, sew and weave. She was most interested in the nature walks and discussion of insects and plants.
- she is growing her hair long. For four years, I managed to keep Rose's hair cut fairly short. Now she wants to wear it long for braids and ponytails. Great in theory, but oh my, the battles we've had about washing and combing her lovely locks. Let's just say that we now wash with a special de-tangling shampoo and use creamrinse. This seems to have done the trick, but I'm not sure how much longer her "I want hair as long as Rapunzel"-phase will last.
- she is learning to read. She can sound out words and is constantly working on writing notes about her drawings. "How do you spell . . . " is a common theme these days.
- she took dance classes: "Intro to ballet and tap." I think tap is more her style, but she enjoyed both. Very cute.
Not to be outdone, Bill has had far fewer but a more dramatic personal change (before and after pics below):
The kids were unsure how to take it. "Are you still my daddy?" wondered Rose, who has never known him without a beard. Takes a bit of getting used to!
Our change-focused summer has also meant more family time -- for us alone, but more often with our extended family and friends. More on that soon, but here are a couple of pics from the recent weekend where together with several thousand other like-minded folks, we did the annual Bridge Pedal. Thirteen miles, six bridges, numerous leg cramps -- good times all around!
Change is good!
Somehow, he looks more dangerous *without* the beard.
Posted by: Becker Smith | 08/25/2011 at 06:25 PM