It's good to be close.

Our kids are a total of 20 months apart, Graham to Gabriella. We didn't plan for it to be that way, and it made the first years of their lives extremely, um, challenging. There were several times when I didn't know how I was going to hold it together. (Will came home from work early those days.) However, we seem to have turned a corner, and our heads are finally above water! We can breathe again!

Suddenly, we are seeing all sorts of advantages to having them so close. Here are a few:

1. Our kids play (and fight) together. All the time. There is no need to worry about them calling one another's game a "baby" game because they're all at basically the same level. Same way with toys--and when they're done with a phase, we can pass them on.

2. They watch the same tv shows and movies. Again, there's no need to fuss. Everyone's on the same page. But they still fuss. Just about other stuff, like who is singing along with the theme song too loudly.

3. No need to worry about leaving small objects on the floor. (Hopefully) they're done with the choking stage. Baby gates and outlet covers came off, too. In fact, our entire house is a choking hazard now.

4. VBS. All 3 kids went to VBS in the evening this week. That meant 4 date nights for Will and me to enjoy, while the kids did something fun and worthwhile.

5. When we take them to an unfamiliar place (like a different church), they are usually near enough that they can stick together and help each other through it. This will be especially nice if they ride the bus to school this year. Bullies, beware.

6. How often can you put all of your kids in the same swimming lessons? That starts on Monday. We all look forward to it. Will and I will look forward to it while lounging with a book at the side of the pool.

7. As Graham is learning things, I find that Chase and Gabriella are learning right along with him. We'll see if it helps in the long run. Bonus: we could be working with the same wonderful kindergarten teacher for 3 years in a row.

8. Recently, the boys (and sometimes Gabriella) started sharing clothes. Even with hand-me-downs, I just move things from Graham's drawer to Chase's drawer. And Chase is not to the point yet where he complains about the stains.

9. We never got used to sleeping through the night before we had another one. I'm not sure this was a good thing--Will and I have never slept well since. But at least we didn't have to change our habits. :D

10. Chores. If one of them can do it, they can all do it.

11. They all nap--or don't nap--at the same time. It's been that way for years.

12. Travel is simplified. We're done lugging the pack-n-play, travel high chair, diaper bag, play gym, and 3 extra changes of clothes for everyone with us. Bonus: their toys are getting smaller every year. Non-bonus: we will have to pay for 5 plane tickets if we ever fly together.

I guess this list is more for us than anyone else, but sometimes we need the reminder. We expect the feelings of self-doubt to return when we have 3 hormonal teenagers, and then 3 simultaneous college bills.

Catching Up

Another look at things we did this summer...

Forgot to add that we went to hunt for shark teeth in the Potomac River. This was one of the kids' favorite activities of the trip.

And here was the best picture of the entire air show...

Will went to talk to the neighbors about fishing in their pond, and they graciously agreed. We now have fishing within walking distance! (Chase and I went shopping that day. I think I won.)

We met up with Chase's birth mom and her family last Sunday. They are wonderful people, and it will be really good for Chase to know them as he grows up.

Will has been on a quest all summer to find salamanders in our area. Finally, we found about a dozen in a small stream while on a hike. Will said it "made his summer." Ha. Can you find it in the center?

Doing Dayton.

At the end of June, we met my parents in Dayton for a whirlwind weekend-o-fun. Friday night was spent swimming in the hotel pool, of course. On Saturday morning, Will and I ran the Dayton Donut Dash, a 5k where you eat donuts at Mile 1 and 2. For every donut you eat, you get 2 minutes taken off your time. It didn't seem like it would be a big deal, but wow, it's hard to choke them down when your mouth is sticky from running. They even offered chocolate milk, the sight of which made us want to gag.

We spent the rest of the day at the Dayton International Air Show. It was amazing! There were planes and vehicles parked everywhere for the kids to explore, and the show itself was like nothing I've ever seen. The highlights, of course, were the Navy Blue Angels at the end.

Thanks, Mom & Dad, for meeting us! We had a great time!