20 June 2007
There's nothing like a birthday to have the excuse for a couple of cakes! School,work and sports schedules make it challenging to get ALL the brothers and sisters together at once, but with a little plotting and a couple of celebrations it somehow works out to see everybody over a few days.
Eve has an uncanny ability to maintain her stamina when the family is together, although there is a meltdown once everyone has gone home. I warn her, encourage her to rest, but at the end of the day I let her stay up until the big brothers go to sleep because she doesn't get to see them all the time, and hey, it's her birthday!
Height check is always one of the first activities! I've got a door jam wall in the kitchen where I've been marking the kids as they grow. First they each check their last height, smile with pride at how they've grown, and then look up where the next brother chalks up.
We all enjoy noticing the big growth spurts, especially in comparison to the others. The two oldest are neck in neck now, with their latest heights marked in bold, black marker by their proud dad who is amazed that he has to look UP to his sons! The younger two shout out predictions as to when they'll catch up.
I forgot to get the current markings this time, just too busy with dinner and the commotion of everyone arriving. The ink is fading on the early dates and my daughter has done her fair share of adding markings on top of markings, so I desperately need to transfer the marks to a piece of paper for safe keeping. I'm glad I started it that first summer I met my husband; thankfully one of the times I acted in the moment before I lost the idea.
I've noticed how the youngest in the room does their best to be in middle of the action, whether it is begging for a piggy back ride, asking for help getting the ball in keep away, or a front row "lap" when the storyteller of the family strikes up. The elder siblings accommodate thoughtfully, and it is a treat to watch the next to youngest proudly assume their new role. It is also fun to see their reaction when we remind them that indeed they did the very same at that age!
The bonds between my husband's children are very strong despite not seeing each other as often as they'd like. In fact two of the brothers decided to change their plans (baseball game and work) in order to hang out longer because they said, "This family time is more important."
It is way TOO quiet in the house when everyone heads home, but at least this year Eve had her younger brother (6 months) to turn to for that sibling companionship!
The following links are wall hanging growth charts that make it easy to chart your child's growth. (Although I still haven't found one that will keep track of several kids simultaneously!)