it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

it's great to be eight

friday, november 6th was summer's eighth birthday.

here's how i think the aging of children generally goes (from a parental perspective): 

0, .25, .5, .75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 18.

see how that sucker really speeds up there at the end?

yikes.

and while it's been pretty slow going for the past eight years around here, right about now that roller-coaster is definitely starting to round into the decline.

double yikes. 

as scary as it sometimes is to be on this speedy, bumpy, windy, twisty, and way, way high up in the air space mountain of sorts, the kids just make it so darn enjoyable to watch them grow up. to get to know them. to learn who they are. and to help them find their way.

it's my favorite part.

summer is an artist. she's a writer. a dreamer. a believer. she is kind. caring. a quick learner. summer is inclusive. a sharer. a sister. she can be shy and is easily embarrassed. she gets distracted. she loves to read. she loves to dance. she loves to know about things. about people. about history. about science. she loves treats and excitement and surprises and her family most of all.

happy birthday, sweet summer girl!

enjoy the ride :)

breakfast at the wheeler's

#brothers

scooby dooby doo

where are you?

we've got some work to do now.

scooby dooby doo,

where are you?

we need some help from you now.

come on, scooby doo, i see you

pretending you've got a sliver.

but you're not fooling me, cause i can see

the way you shake and shiver.

you know we've got a mystery to solve so scooby doo

be ready for your act. don't hold back.

and scooby doo if you come through you're gonna have yourself a scooby snack!

that's a fact!

scooby dooby doo, here are you

you're ready and you're willing.

if we can count on you, scooby doo,

i know we'll catch that villain.