Georgia Peach, English Tea: Winter Wonderland

it's been quite a few years since heath and i have had the unique opportunity to take reese and maddox out alone. after all, the day zane was born, he instantly became their triplet. he never leaves their side, unless forced. even if he's not by their side, he is always lurking nearby, ready to torment and punish them in inconceivable ways. he is, after all, the younger brother. he takes his roll very seriously. and then, not to be outdone, along came echo. and the party got even crazier. she too, enjoys living up the roll of baby sister. one who annoys, follows and desperately tries to keep up with the eldest three.

a month ago, on a cold saturday, we'd planned to take the three big kids to the winter wonderland. a section of hyde park is set up with lights, rides, food and fun! right as we were walking out the door, zane decided he'd rather stay home with echo and the sitter. he wasn't feeling well and he didn't want to be out in the cold.

say what?

after talking to him and making sure this was what he wanted, the four of us, heath, myself, reese and maddox all headed out the door. from the moment we walked out, i was a bit unsure we were doing the right thing, but zane had insisted that he wanted to stay.

once we arrived, i started to get really excited. it was like a double date! i could keep up with one, and heath with the other. oh sweet mercy! this was going to be fun!!!

the next several hours were spent going on rides, eating fun foods and playing games (well, one game. we tried to explain to maddox that those HUGE animals he desperately wanted were for people that play and WIN...you don't just get the animal for playing the game and/or looking cute. believe me, i've tried). reese and maddox were so much fun! they didn't whine, they didn't complain, they didn't ask to go to the bathroom 400 times. they were so enjoyable!

it's not to say that we didn't miss our other two....but it was so nice to focus on our older children for a change! we laughed, talked, joked around, made joint decisions on what ride to go on next. it was truly a pleasure. relaxing and FUN!

heath and his date

me and my date

let the games begin!!!

spinning in a life size bowl

my date hiding from the camera

inside a crazy fun-house

as our children get older, we are finding it more important to spend quality time with each individual child. and it's not easy! it takes time and planning. we haven't quite found the best way to do it, but in time, we will. it's been so cool to find out what they are like individually and hear what they have to say when the others are not around. they are all so different and so unique.

as much as i love our larger family and all the craziness that comes with it, i will forever remember our first double date in that winter wonderland. i fell in love with those two tiny babies all over again. they made me realize where we started and how far we've come with this family. they made me cherish the calm times and appreciate the wild times....well, at least tolerate the wild times...let's be realistic.

December 2007.
when we were a young family of four....

reese and maddox, you guys are so much fun. you are growing up way too fast. thanks for a really great night filled with some hysterical moments. thanks for being so cute and cool that we wanted and were able to take on your rowdy siblings, zane and echo. because as much fun as we had on this night, we know that life would not be nearly as much fun and hysterical without those two crazy kids.

here is to many more date nights with the two of you!