{a simple song}

This song was sung by Olivia Eades at DaySpring Baptist Church a couple of weeks ago. Her father is friends with Brad and shared it with him. There's something about it that's so beautiful. Sometimes song can speak to you and heal you - this one has done that for me over the past couple of weeks.

Heaven Stands

Time Flies

I asked Grant on Sunday if he could stay 4 and never grow older. He laughed at me and shook his head no. I love this age. I love watching his mind work, hearing his vocabulary develop, and witnessing his still-fresh wonder at the world.

Because time flies, I wanted to stop and remember bits and pieces of our summer, conversations had, and characteristics that make me smile.

He is still a serious artist. I threw away some drawings the other day and he was horrified when he discovered them. I had no excuse and had to fess up. The next day he was drawing with Brad. He got a marker and told Brad to sign the back of his picture and write that he would "never ever throw it away or tear it up". When Brad asked why he wanted him to make this promise he said "because mommy threw away my art and I forgave her, but only because she's my mommy." I now know where I stand with Grant - what a close call!

He still uses 'her' instead of 'she'. All the time. As in, "when her grows up, is her going to wear toe nail polish like you mommy?" or "her is not very happy right now" or "why is her crying?". Brad asked him when he thought he would start saying 'she' instead of 'her'. He thought, then replied rather indignately, "when I'm an adult." Hmmm, I'm thinking that if you can reason and use the word 'adult' I think you can get your possesive pronouns straight.

He is very adamant about things. When Brad picked him up from school the other day he was playing with his friends - they were folding clothes and playing in the kitchen. Brad asked Grant if he was playing house. Grant responded: "NO Daddy. We are playing home-living!!"

Every morning is the same. He wakes up. Goes to the bathroom. Comes and checks on everyone. Gives everyone a hug and kiss. Goes back to his room, picks out clothes, and dresses himself - often times completing the outfit with shoes, a hat, and sunglasses. He is very particular that his whole outfit matches. And, every Sunday, he picks out Lucy's dress for church.

Every time we visit San Antonio, we eat here:

Today, when Brad picked him up from school, he excitedly showed him a picture of the Alamo that he had colored. He then went on to explain, "Daddy, this is a picture of the Alamo. It used to be a church, but now it's a mexican restaurant." I feel slightly embarrassed about this... I think maybe we've indulged too much. He's probably always going to be confused by the two now.

He's never been mean to Lucy. Not once. This is so precious to me. I know it will change, but I'll cherish it as long as it lasts.

He's a kid of the 21st century. He asked Brad to look something up online tonight. Say what? I had no idea he even knew what that phrase meant.

The mix of things at 4 is so funny to me. For example, while eating out on Saturday, I took him to the girl's bathroom. He was offended and said, as if he were a teenager, "i don't want to go to the stinky girl's bathroom." And yet, he then proceeded to wave his hands gleefully in front of the automatic towel dispenser as if it were some magical machine and belly laugh everytime it spit out a paper towel.

To me, 4 has been a huge change from 3. More even-tempered. More logical and able to reason. He can play board games now and is actually okay with following the rules AND with losing. Who knew that day would ever come? I didn't. He's even more fun as a companion now. We can ride bikes together to the school track and time each other on my iphone as we do sprints. We can go for a hike together in Cameron Park and talk about things as we rest. Like I expressed on Sunday, I think I might be perfectly fine if he were to stay 4 his whole life. It's a sweet age indeed.

I Survived Cousin Camp, Barely

(disclaimer: don't take camp photos on the last day. i swear they had fun...)

Cheers - Cousin Camp 2011 is officially over! I must admit, there were a few moments I didn't know if I would make it. Not sure what made it so difficult this year. Perhaps having a 9 month old who was teething and started screaming anytime she was not attached to my hip. Perhaps the 104 degree heat. Perhaps the less than stellar preparation on Amy and I's part.

But, what do you always say about situations like this? It's all about the kids! As long as the kids have fun, that's all that counts! And, I think they did. And, one day, I hope they will talk about the days their crazy mom and crazy aunt hosted cousin camp every year.

Every year we've done different activities - I think we found some keepers that will reappear at CC 2012. Here are some of the highlights:

A scavenger hunt through the ranch. Thank goodness we have one old enough to read clues!

The cows made getting the last clue extra exciting.

$13.99 @ HEB = at least 2 hours of entertainment

We ran out of letters so the shirts just said "Camp". We are working on a budget.

Our little Pollock

Poor Sophia. She didn't even see it coming. The 80 water balloons lasted about 3 minutes. But it was a great 3 minutes. The poor dog was the target of most of them.

Not pictured: swimming at the Baylor pool (keeper); Cars 2 (just as bad as the reviews said it would be); making ice-cream in a ziploc bag (interesting); hours of playing baseball; lots of general insanity.

Of course, this year, since Cousin Camp fell on a holiday weekend, we also had to have a 4th of July parade. Baylor's homecoming parade is the largest collegiate homecoming parade in the nation. The Dorman 4th of July parade is the shortest patriotic parade in the nation. It consists of saying the pledge of allegiance and then biking up and down the driveway. But wow - the anticipation of the kids - they love our parade and are none the wiser about how actually ridiculous the entire thing is.

Miss 4th of July. The biggest bow she's ever worn and will wear for quite some time.