7 months with a 4 year old

There's no slowing this kiddo down -- he's 7 months old and in a big ol' hurry to catch up to his big sister.

Army crawling across the floor, belly prickled with dog hair - so tickled with himself when he pulls up to a stand - fingers always busy assessing textures...  Turned my back for maybe 10 seconds the other day and when I turned the corner there he was ON THE SECOND STEP of the wooden staircase.  Didn't even know he could get to the first step let alone the second.  This guy is really going to keep us on our toes.

Evelyn continues to teach us how to practice patience and calm reasoning.  Or, at least, she reminds us that we need practice.  Whew, she's a handful.  Had an end of year teacher meeting with Ms. Beaty.  We actually never signed up for the parent-teacher conference, but we got a request to come in "when convenient." Ruh-roh.

Ev is doing great with her learning of course -- smart as the dickens.  Its the social stuff she still struggles with.  She's earning a reputation in the early childhood room as a "meanie." So......the coaching continues.

Took a walk in the muddy rain, both of us in our galoshes.  Ev in a polka dot raincoat and her princess panties.  Followed her through the swampy grass, stomping soggy mole tunnels, having a ball.  She's my charming, gorgeous, effervescent daughter and I love her fiercely.