It was taken on Father's Day seven years ago, but it's the picture I always think of when I think about this special day. Steve is covered in kids! These were the days of look at me, play with me, help me, listen to me, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy. Precious, wonderful, exhausting days we wouldn't trade for anything!
Fast forward seven years...
Shall we play What's Different About This Picture?
Let's see, everyone is independent in the bathroom, can ride a bike, and knows how to swim. Yay! (Two are even lifeguards!)
Everyone is in school and can do their own homework. Just in time, too! Apparently, Dad and Mom are a lot less intelligent than they were seven years ago. We used to have all the answers and now our kids are the self-proclaimed experts on EVERYTHING. It's okay though because we've heard we gain back most of our intelligence in about another seven years!
No kid takes a nap...and some even go to bed after we do. Time alone after the kids are in bed? A distant memory...
Some kids can drive, and pick up things from the grocery store. This is AWESOME!
Sometimes sibling rivalry disappears and the kids are friends. Sometimes they even gang up and make fun of us now!
Family dinner hour is, more often than not, (dare I say it?) enjoyable. We get to chew our food and sit down the whole time!
Yes, lots of things are different, but one thing is the same. We still wouldn't trade these precious, wonderful, exhausting days for anything!
And now a special shout-out to my most faithful reader. Drum roll, please!!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you!!
Your family is crazy beautiful, Marie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your Father's Day with us :0)
Suzanne
Thanks for that sweet compliment, Suzanne! :)
DeleteMarie, what a beautiful family you have! I agree with everything you said about the kids being older!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lana! Amazing how things change! :)
DeleteLaughed at the comment 'Dad and Mom are a lot less intelligent than they were seven years ago,' it's so true. Can't believe that my teen daughter asked for my opinion this morning, didn't like my reply and had a bit of a strop about it. Don't know how you cope with five of them?
ReplyDeleteI can picture that, Izzie! They want your opinion if it agrees with theirs. I always laugh at the interactions between you and your girls! :)
DeleteThis is a great trip down memory lane! Lots of kids = lots of excitement, all the time :) Great pics, especially love the one of you and Dad <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! Funny to see how things change! :)
DeleteOh so beautiful. I love a good family photo and I love a family photo taken after several years to see the differences. Special photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I think it's neat to see all the differences, too!
DeleteI love your family photos! Parenting challenges certainly change as the kids get older. I'm looking forward to all of my kiddos being able to use the bathroom independently, but I'm not sure I'm ready to think about them driving!
ReplyDeleteIndependence in the bathroom is a must! :) You get used to the driving when it's time though and then you see its advantages!
DeleteGorgeous post and Happy Father's Day to the men in your life and Happy Birthday to your Dad x
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteAhhh your family is amazing. Love the photos. So cute and great tribute to Dad!!!!! Glad you got the support. It's so important on the blog. Many don't understand it. I love your post. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenny!
DeleteBeautiful photos - hope you all had a lovely Father's Day
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful family! And yes, you will suddenly become smart again in about 7 years. My parents didn't know anything when I was 16-18, but now they know just about everything! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, that's encouraging! :) Looking forward to that day!
DeleteAh, lovely post! I love to read about what kind of changes to expect in a few years time. It must be lovely to see your children gain independence - I'm just trying to really appreciate that bit where they totally look up to your knowledge and rely on you right now! X #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteIt's a special stage when they think you can do no wrong! Enjoy every minute! :)
DeleteWow. That's really cool to see the fast forward in time from my perspective seeing as mine are all still so little. Can't wait until they are all potty trained, bike trained, and swim trained! Awesome. You have a beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Meredith! Those are three skills I really don't enjoy teaching! :)
Delete1. I love the contrasting pictures! I feel the same way, that it was so awesome to have kids on my lap and hanging on my shoulders. I find it's equally as awesome to have them in mature (or not so mature) conversations and there to help me do things.
ReplyDelete2. Isn't it cool when they start cooking, too? I don't think mine will clean until they're 30, but I won't get too greedy. I'm jealous you have grocery-store runners. I'm not quite there yet.
3 . Your final shout-out to dad? Awesome, as a dad. Love that he reads you. My family is uncomfortable with my self-deprecating humor and largely female following!
*-Glad I found this post through the Manic Monday linkup.
Thanks for the compliments! Only my two youngest are interested in cooking, but I look forward to the day they can make a full meal! :)
DeleteAwww lovely photos! Thanks for sharing =)
ReplyDelete