Parenting

The longer I parent, the less I think it has any effect on the parented. My kids are so different from me. I am sure my habits influence them. I know the environment does too. However, I don't think anything I say or insist on guides them except maybe to inspire them to rebellion.

Here is a video of Sonia playing soccer. She is a very competitive and aggressive little player. At this stage of play, the faster, tougher girls just get more time with the ball. Sonia cried yesterday when her team lost. She is motivated to practice and be a good player. I have no part in this. Neither does Ryan. She is just this way. Jack, meanwhile, laid on the soccer field during scrimmage when Ryan signed him up for a league. He has no interest in competition but don't get him started on airplanes or dinosaurs or Minecraft or the solar system.

It seems the main job of a parent is to keep the children fed and step out of their way as you can't control much anyway.

Happy 6th birthday Sonia!

Sonia's birthday was all celebration. Aunt Katie surprised her for a visit. We had ten girls over for tea. We painted bird houses, ate small sandwiches, sipped tea, ate cake, had a dance party and pillow fight, watched a show then destroyed a pinata. Great fun had by all.

My mom and stepfather came for a spaghetti dinner. The adults ate while Sonia and Jack played with the neighbors and some friends that hung out while their parents worked. The kids ate dinner then more dessert. The kids get to choose whatever they want to eat all day on their birthday so a mountain of sugar was consumed.

FOS

Sonia frequently contradicts me. She doesn't seem to trust many of the things I say to her. She might believe she knows more than I do.  Here is an example:

Tonight she wanted to play Marco Polo.  As the person calling Marco! she ran into the wall. I commented that was why Marco Polo is better played in the pool. She said that wasn't true. She knew someone (but I didn't know this person) who hit their head on the side of the pool while playing Marco Polo. This person's head split open and they couldn't fix it. Then she died. Well, she didn't die but she looked really weird because of all the bandages.

Other side of summer

It seems I've been posting our summer highlights on Instagram and our summer lows on the blog. Here is a little photo essay of our summer. These past few months have actually been the most fun the kids and I have had yet.

A day at the Science Center to see the Grossology exhibit

Seattle center fountain

I was able to read for 10 minutes one day while the kids played. Worth noting.

Hot summer

Gathering with buddies in our favorite relaxation spot: the hammock

MOHAI -- Prohibition exhibit

Library time

A visit to Lincoln park wading pool to see one of Sonia's favorite preschool teachers. Her daughter has the same birthday as Sonia.

Great time on Guemes Island with family friends

Building blocks at my old yoga studio that is now closing

Sonia and I camped with family friends in the North Cascades. It rained the whole time. We had to leave one night early as our friends' tent was swamped the first night. We still had fun though.

Ryan and Jack went to the Oregon coast while Sonia and I camped

We had our pool to ourselves on many hot, sunny afternoons. The kids are with our 10 year old buddy

Lots of slow time around the house just doing ..whatever.