Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Ten



Newborn Christopher.


5-year-old Christopher.


10-year-old Christopher.

Ten!

I was feeling very nostalgic before Christopher's birthday this year. Partly because of the double digits, and partly because it feels like the end of an era. I have been an at-home mom (aside from various contract projects) for so long, and now both of my babies are getting older. (Also, I now have a job "outside of the home" even though I work from home 99 percent of the time.) 

I made the mistake of telling Christopher I was feeling sad about him turning 10, which meant that I later found out that he was also sad about his birthday. Because that is the kind of sweet, empathetic boy that he is. Empathetic to a fault, sometimes. I quickly went into overdrive assuring him that I was very excited to celebrate him, and he ended up having a fun birthday. (I mean, who wouldn't like laser tag with a BFF and sister; a trip to the Rainforest Cafe, or Jungle Cafe as he calls it; and pizza and ice cream cake with the in-town cousins? Yes, it was a lot of birthday, but I love celebrating the kids.)

Christopher is in 4th grade. It has been a bit of a rough transition. He had the same wonderful teacher for the past 3 years. And they were tumultuous years, starting with first grade in the fall of 2020.  This year, the expectations for classroom work are much higher, and he misses his friends who are no longer in his class. I know this will be good for him, though. Clare had the same teacher for fourth and fifth grade, and she was more than ready for middle school. (Although can I credit the teacher here? It is Clare, after all.)

Christopher struggles with transitions, but we try to ease the way for him where we can. Some of this he will just need to figure out on his own.  Ah, growing up.

Some of Christopher's favorites at 10: video games, video games, video games, and oh did I mention video games? (Current favorites include Minecraft, Pokemon Sword, Super Smash Bros., Fortnite, and the OG Super Mario Bros and Age of Empires.) He also loves reading (especially Big Nate and Diary of a Wimpy Kid), drawing, swimming, riding his bike around the block, playing board games, our new kitten, stuffies, and legoes.

Dislikes at 10: Being told to turn off the video games, basketball, school (sad), Harry Potter, cleaning the cat's litter box, when Clare gives him a "fresh cut". 

Christopher still loves all animals. Not coincidentally, he is also still a vegetarian. (14 months and counting!) 

He is full of random facts from books he's read, so I always believe him when he says something is true. He said this to me the other day, "I used to worry about all of the stars running out of juice, but then I read that when a supernova explodes it makes 1,000 stars." 

He is taking a Parkour (free running) class at a local gymnastics gym, which he loves. He is in Cub Scouts, and played baseball over the summer. We are trying to encourage him to try some other sports, like soccer, but so far he is not interested. 

He told me recently that he loves our family road trips and exploring new places. This year, we went to Utah and camped near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. He likes exploring these places, but his favorite parts of any camping trip seem to be s'mores and playing games as a family. Oh, and Ghost in the Graveyard when we camp with our friends.

It's so hard to capture Christopher in a post like this, but he is just so funny. He loves to make people laugh, although he hasn't yet figured out that the joke is less funny the more it is repeated. I am sure he will get there! 

Here is a conversation I had with Christopher recently, which I enjoyed and I think captures some of his quirkiness:

Christopher after his shower: I used so many things in there! Two conditioners, the body and hair wash, shampoo.

Me: I was wondering what was taking you so long.

Christopher: That wasn't why I took so long. I spent half the time putting soap into my belly button.

Me: That was a good use of your time.

Oh, Christopher. You are the best boy. I love how you still let me hug and kiss you, even though you are 10. I love talking to you and listening to all of your interesting observations on the world. Happy birthday!











Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Twelve



Twelve! Somehow. 

Clare is just finishing 6th grade, and it has been a stellar year for her. She was in the school play, is a member of the Student Library Council, is doing well in school, and has a great group of friends. She is at a 6-12 grade school, and it is small, but so far she loves it. I was incredibly proud of her this year, especially when she told me that she extricated herself from a group of friends that didn't feel right and found friends that like her for her. (She told me that she told herself when she started middle school that she was only going to be friends with people she felt like she could be herself around. This was after reading lots of books in 5th grade that took place in middle school.) 

Clare at 12 is still supremely confident, smart, logical (Vulcan, from her Dad), fun to talk to, and kind in many ways.  (For example, when Ben had surgery last month she made him a card, left him snacks and a bell so he could ring for help, and set up a very comfortable bed for him on the couch.) 

Clare wants to dye her hair blue. This seems to be the thing to do with her age group, as I know several unconnected kids her age who have blue hair. (One of her birthday presents is going to be a trip to the salon.)

Clare experienced the second best day of her life this year, according to her. She went to a live performance of Hamilton. (The first best day? When she visited the sets of the Harry Potter movies when we were in England last year.)

Clare still plays soccer year round. Would I be sad if she quit? No. Is she likely to quit? Also no. 

She is also still taking piano lessons, although she doesn't practice often.

Her number one hobby is reading. She likes mystery and literary fiction, but isn't big on fantasy (except Harry Potter, of course). 

She loves the show Wednesday and is still into American Ninja Warrior.

Some likes at age 12: Slime, fidgets, sticker books, Lego, Minecraft, reading, camping, ice cream (especially drumsticks), getting take out (local places Shish and Tavial are favs), experimenting with make-up, arguing, begging for a cat, needling her brother.

Some dislikes at age 12: Bugs, thunder, running, doing any chores that don't have something in it for her, most vegetables, meat with a "sweet" sauce, brushing her hair, not having a cat, when her brother cuts his hair really short.

This summer she is doing a few camps (clay and soccer), taking swimming lessons, and wants to do several summer reading programs. 

Clare had a soccer game the night of her birthday, but we ate her favorite dinner early (chicken kabobs, rice pilaf, Italian salad) and opened presents and had cake after her game. She also went to SkyZone on Sunday. I said she could bring a friend, but she chose to just go with Christopher. They had a blast.

(As for the cat. I have put it off for 3 years. How long can I go?)
 






Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Nine



One year left in the single digits for our Christopher Lewis. As I say frequently, birthdays always take me by surprise. I mean, isn't Clare still nine? 

Christopher is in third grade, and the year has started off fairly well. He was worried before school started, but has been happy to go (most) days and his teacher reports that he is doing very well. He is in a first, second, third grade combination class, and his leadership skills have emerged this year. I think this may be partly due to some newfound independence - we let him roam the neighborhood with his friends this summer. 

Christopher is still as sweet as ever. He told me to make a list for my birthday (which is 12 days following his) and is very concerned about when my party is going to be. He likes to sit on my lap and snuggle, and even though he is getting quite tall and doesn't fit as well as he used to, I am not about to say no. He still wants to make money (he is currently saving up for an ice cream maker, which he thinks he is going to use to sell ice cream to the neighbors). He held a lemonade stand on his own during the neighboring school's large festival in September. He made $21, which he was pretty pleased with. I had COVID, so I watched from inside as he tried to charm passersby. 

Christopher has great fun running around the neighborhood with Jackson, Owen, and Colin, all neighbors. The three boys joined us for pizza and ice cream cake last night, which was Christopher's request for his birthday dinner. He has lots of friends at school as well, although they seem to be ever-changing. He gets along with most everybody, which is a good skill to have. 

Oh, I almost forgot the biggest change since last year! Christopher has become a vegetarian. While we were at the State Fair this summer, Christopher was able to pet a baby pig and see many other animals. After that, he decided he could no longer eat them. It is a pain, I admit, but I am trying to support his choice. Clare joined him for awhile, but she is already back on the meat wagon. Our whole family is now eating less meat, which isn't a bad thing, I suppose. (It is hard for me because of my plethora of food allergies.) 

Christopher plays the violin, reluctantly most of the time, but he plays well. He is in Cub Scouts, which I have mixed feelings about. He played baseball this summer and will play basketball this winter. He loves swimming, which is a nice change from when he was younger. Reading and playing video games are his two favorite hobbies. He is currently reading the Harry Potter series, and he received a few video games for his birthday. His favorite video games are Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Roblox, and Minecraft. He is into Pokemon cards and trading hockey cards with his friend Jackson. (I don't think he knows anything about hockey. He's been to some U of M women's games, but that's about it. But still, I guess the trading is fun for him.) He likes camping, and has even started to like going on hikes. (Although he still brings up a scary hike we did in Glacier last year and how much he hated it.) He also enjoys riding his bike and his scooter. 

Some likes at nine: Books, especially the Amulet Series, Big Nate, Diary of Wimpy Kid and Harry Potter; the aforementioned video games;four square, kickball, gaga ball, basically anything with a playground ball; playing with his friends and cousins; not eating meat. 

Some dislikes: Practicing violin; cleaning his room; when his class is too rowdy at school; when Clare annoys him on purpose (shocking); sharing personal information about himself in a group setting ("It is not their business!"); eating meat. 

He was given some new video games and books for his birthday, so as soon as he gets home from school he will be all set to spend some time on his two favorite hobbies. Then I'll have to tell him to practice his violin. A typical day. Christopher, happy birthday. We love you so much!





Sunday, September 11, 2022

Summer 2022

This summer was jam-packed. It was mostly, but not always, fun. It is now over. The end.

Just kidding, here are a bunch of pictures.                                                                                              


The first weekend of summer, Ben and Christopher went on a Cub Scout camping trip. Clare and I went to her soccer tournament (she scored two goals!), and had a Sunday morning breakfast and shopping day.

The peony always blooms around Clare's birthday.

The kids had a violin and piano recital in person. They both did great!

We went to Red Balloon book store and then had lunch out at Cafe Latte early in the summer.

Ben and I snuck away to our neighborhood bar for dinner by ourselves.

Clare went horseback riding with her Girl Scout troop.

Riding the carousel during our annual (and possibly last, the kids are getting too big) Como Town visit.








We spent a week at family camp at Camp Northern Lights. It was great, if sometimes a little cheesy. (I refused to participate in the all-camp sing-along, for example.) The kids had a great time in age group activities, and we all had fun taking advantage of all the camp had to offer. Clare especially loved the water trampoline in the (freezing) lake.  She's on it in this picture, and poor Ben is floating in the lake to supervise. The kids also got up every morning and participated in Little Dippers, which involved running into the lake at 7:30 a.m. I did it a few times, and it was actually invigorating. We want to go back next year.

We had some bad weather, including hail!

Sunset paddle.

Camper.



Reading together during a storm.


In the Art Barn.

Onto 4th of July! We had all of our annual events in Evansville, minus the fireworks, which were cancelled because of storms. Here, Christopher is warming up for the 1 mile run. He finished first of the participating cousins. Clare carried Otto on her back for most of the run. 

Parade!



Flag cake!

Pool to themselves!

We went for lunch at Noodles and all read our books. I just love that the kids love reading as much as I do.

Soccer player.

I read my book while the kids went down water slides at Jim Lupient in Minneapolis. I also read my book while the kids went on water slides at Bunker Beach in the north suburbs. I basically read my books all over Minnesota (and Wisconsin) this summer.

Ben and I snuck away for a Twins (Brewers?) game with my sister and brother-in-law.

Clare went to sleep away Girl Scout camp again this year. I was worried because she was a bit younger than the other girls in her bunk (who looked like full-fledged teens), but in typical Clare style she made friends with everyone and had a great time.

While she was gone, I took Christopher for root beer floats. He also participated in an engineering camp at the Works Museum, which he loved.

We went back to Lake Superior (one of my favorite places on Earth), with Ben's parents. We stayed in a lovely cabin and had a relaxing time. Ben and I even went on a 9 mile hike one morning.


Hiking at Cascade River.

In Grand Marais. I would argue they are the world's second best donuts (after our local donut shop).



Ben and I took Christopher with us when we went to a local winery. The wine was not good.

Clare and I had a mother-daughter outing, complete with chocolate cake.


Mini golf!

I got a hole in one, which they recorded in chalk.

Ice cream in Duluth on our way home.

Clare went to a daycamp, and Christopher and I went out to lunch.

The only shot from our friends camping trip in Bear Head Lake State Park, near Ely. We had a great time - no bugs, mostly good weather.

Our London family came to visit! We spent a week at my parents' house, and a week at a cabin near Hayward. It was so good to have that time together.









State Fair! It was fun to be back after a two year break, but it was hot. The kids had a great time.

They even entered a butter carving contest and won state fair ribbons!







They became obsessed with the "spinny wheels" where they could win prizes. Christopher got this great bandana from the MPR booth.

Little Farmhands. Clare will do this until she is stopped.



Clare and I had a lunch date at Cafe Latte and toured the James J. Hill house over Labor Day weekend. It was fun to have that time together before she started middle school.

We had friends over for an end of summer party. Clare dyed her hair blue.

These kids have known each other most of their lives.