Hobbling Along...

Really, I cannot say my ankle still just "hurts". However, I am not jumping up and down yet either. Certain positions make me cringe. But it is a lot better. However, if I am up for a few minutes, the swelling starts up again. I am wondering when my ankle will look like...an ankle. Wouldn't you know that I had just made a vow last week to get back into exercise mode? Maybe next week...

We had a good day. We made it to church on time (which I always consider a miracle in itself). Today we supervised Child 3's class during church. The time actually went very quickly; it is always fun to me to see her with her peers rather than just with siblings. After church, we headed to a local pizza place. Until the very end of the meal, Child 4 was very well behaved. Then he got really loud...not mad or even really naughty, just loud. Thankfully we were done eating so I could escort him to the car while Mark took care of the whole paying thing. The little ones and I took long naps while Mark took the big ones out to ride bikes. Child 1 had gotten a bike for his birthday (which due to winter he had not gotten to ride much), and then Child 2 just got one. So they have been itching to try them out.

After naps (I actually had to wake the youngest up), we headed to a birthday party for a friend at their neighborhood pool. I decided with my ankle to not get in the water this time around. I knew it would be full of children. My own kids have stepped on my sore feet enough times to know that it was an accident waiting to happen. So Mark sacrificed. He took Child 4 into the shallow end. I stayed at the "deep" end and supervised Child 3. She shocked me. She typically hangs out on the steps for an hour or so then slowly works her way in. Not today. I don't know if it is because she knew some of the kids there (from her preschool) or just because she was feeling extra brave. She just jumped right in. And she stayed in for a long time. I think swimming lessons will be a lot different this year. I have really enjoyed watching her the past few weeks. She is maturing. She is becoming more confident in herself. And she is becoming more affectionate. Today she gave me a hug, and it was a true, all out hug.

The other one I am seeing a big change in is Child 4. He is becoming more verbal. Right now, his favorite phrase is "Okay, Mommy". I really need to record how he says it because he emphasizes certain parts; it is almost sing song. He is beginning to answer questions. And he is starting to tell me how he is. When he got out of the pool, we were walking over to the chairs and he started shivering. He simply stated, "I'm cold." (or something similar) I asked him if he was cold and he affirmed it. Later I asked him if he had been swimming, he told me he had. He then told me he was eating (he sure was...he was a bottomless pit today). We have been referring to him as a magpie because he will repeat most words we say. I think the ability to acquire language will always be one of the most fascinating parts of human development to me. How does that happen?

I better go. Tomorrow we are going to try to put the house back together after the birthday celebrations. I have also been telling the kids that we are going to start chores this summer. We sometimes ask them to help but not consistently (though some things, like making beds and picking up after themselves is NOT optional). I hope to set up some sort of system. I am still trying to figure out how to do it. That is going to disappoint one child who will want it in place TOMORROW. The funny thing is they are excited. We will see how long that lasts. :)

Reba