Swim Season Wrap Up

States were this weekend.  STATES.  When Duck boy decided this fall to give swimming a try again, I would never have imagined it would end in states.  He used to be really good, and swimming was a lifestyle we willingly subscribed too. But it had been four years, and well -- that was a lot of time out of the pool.  Duck boy was twice the size he used to be.  Literally.  

But he seemed to fall back into the pool naturally, posting similar times to that he left with, despite the additional 16 inches, and 75 pounds.  It was fun to see him participating in a sport again, having a social life outside of school and Yu Gi Oh club, making friends.  In fact, the biggest shock of all -- seeing him flirting with girls on the pool deck  In fact, that may have been to big a shock. 

And while they didn't medal at states.  They did medal at Districts, and for the first time in years, qualified their school for the State meet. As we had to remind them on Saturday when they were feeling pretty poorly for themselves, the accomplishment was that they got there.   There were big schools there that had 25 state qualifiers on their team.  Our team only had around 25 swimmers total, but we had five state qualifiers, and Duck Boy was one of them.  

For me, the best moments of the season were watching him on the pool deck, with friends, laughing, and enjoying a sport he once walked away from again.  

Here's to a great season, to being excited to start the off season work outs for next year, to learning the value of setting goals, and working towards them, and to getting to wear this jacket. 

The Big Birthday Wrap Up

We did a "practice" cake run at breakfast, because if there is one thing six babies has taught me it's that they don't really care if it's their first birthday and you want them to be really into the cake.  She seemed pretty excited though.  The boys and Charlotte were happy to have hot pumpkin spice muffins for breakfast too. 

She was probably wondering what I was taking pictures of breakfast for though. 

Charlotte should not be this excited over a hot breakfast, I am feeling a little guilty for her our standard menu of toast, cereal and fruit. 

We played in the playroom for a little bit before bath, but even Elephants need to get "all clean".

Because I want to remember what she wore that day. :)

We wanted to order a special cake, and do it all up big, but the reality is we don't really have anyone to invite.  Jason is an only child, and my sisters are either too far away, and/or not really interested.   They have zero cousins that live within 1000 miles, and grandparents that frequent Florida this time of year.  Birthday parties are pretty simple around here.  So we made the cake ourselves.  Well, I made it, and Charlotte decorated it.  Banana cake and buttercream icing (incidentally, my favorite!)

The practice run worked, she LOVED it. 

And the cake was big hit too!

Birthdays are exhausting!

One. Ella by the numbers.

It doesn't even seem possible but this little thing turned one.  How could it really have been a year since I was desperately trying to end my misery, have a baby?

But in honor of the day, here are ten things we have learned about you, Eleanor Kimberly Williams.

1.  You were supposed to be a daddy's girl.  I told you daily while pregnant that you were going to be DADDY'S baby.  But like so many of your siblings you didn't listen.  You are a Mama zealot.  You want all Mama, all the time, no other Mama will do.  I love you dealy my little velcro baby. But really is it too much to ask to put you down from time to time?

2. You love music.  You especially love Samuel playing you his violin.  An afternoon spent at the Orchestra building is an afternoon well loved.

3. You are not the bravest little bear, Ells.  You are afraid of strangers, of loud noises, of toys that make noise and move, of baths, and easily overwhelmed in crowds.  You want someone to hold you , and you want to bury your face in someone's shirt.  We think it makes you extra cuddly.

4. You have a lot of nicknames, and none of them are what we planned.  We named you Eleanor, we planned to call you Nora.  We tried, but it didn't stick.  Mostly we call you Ella, or Ells, sometimes your Daddy (whom you call your Da-ya) calls you Ellie.  I have almost given up trying to stop him.

5.  You dislike green beans.  No amount of mixing them with other foods is going to trick you.

6. You have hair that has a personality all it's own, and we are pretty sure its headlining a midnight metal band.  Bed head that goes on for days girl.  Mommy has thus far unsuccessfully tried product, new shampoo, and pig tails to tame it.  No luck!

7. Your favorite things are your blanket, your ball pit and your nesting cups.  You are also in love with Ernie.

8.  Gigantor (Lucas) is your favorite sibling.  He can always make you laugh.  You clap when he walks into a room.  Its really quite the site.  Samuel is your next fav, you have called him "Bra-wa" for brother, he is gentle and helpful with you a lot. You have far less tolerance of Molly, who is often too busy for you, and even less of Charlotte and Teague - who love you so much they cant seem to keep their faces out of yours when you least want them there.  They will learn, Ella-my-ella.  In the meantime I won't tell them how you feel!

9. You are a morning bird.  You like to get up with the sun, and no amount of keeping you up late seems to help.  Your mama is a night owl.  We are both adapting.

10. We all look at you every day and smile, you were the perfect something missing, we never knew we needed until you were here!