Just here.

Some nights I get the kids tucked in and the day was a blur and I sit down and wait for my head to stop spinning. Other nights I get the kids tucked in and I look back on a busy day and I cry real tears of happy that I get this life. That was me tonight. Some nights I rush through bedtime rituals intent on a moment of quiet. Other nights I dwell at their doors, listening to one more story, one more question. That was me tonight, too.

Elliot always likes to get all situated and comfy before I turn the light out. He lays down, wiggles in, then lays still for up to a minute before quietly sighing and saying, "OK." That means I have the ok to turn out the light, leave the door slightly ajar, and exit the room. Some nights it exasperates me. How ridiculous is that? But tonight I just sat and looked at that sweet little/big 5 year old while he hunkered down for the night, wanting me in his room until everything was just right. And I was so happy to be there. Just there.

Audrey wants to chat, process her day, ask about what is coming tomorrow. Even as I start her CD, turn off her light, and close her door she is asking one more question or telling me one more thing or asking what we're doing tomorrow. Then when I finally get the door closed we say "I love you" one last time and then I hear her singing. Tonight it was songs from "Frozen," which she has named her favorite movie ever and which she plans to purchase with her own money when it's available. Tonight I listened to all of it. I stood outside of her door and listened to her sweet little voice strain for the high notes of "Let it go."Aand I was so happy to be there. Just there.

Isaac wants to read or play cards before bed, talk about books or sports, and get his back scratched or his neck rubbed. I remember being so worried about the day he wouldn't want to get tucked in anymore. Well, he still loves getting tucked in, but it has evolved due to room sharing. But it is still a special time, just me and my oldest (and sometimes my youngest) chatting, playing cards, reading together. He loves to kiss Asher before bed and I love to scratch his back and feel the weight of his day melt away. Tonight I got Asher to bed, then came down to play Kings in the Corner with Isaac. As we played, I watched his eyes get sleepy and his shoulders start to droop with sleepiness. We finished up and I walked him upstairs, scratching his back, and I was so happy to be there. Just there.

And I walked downstairs to a quiet house and I cried. Because I am so happy to be here. And I miss Jenna. And I'm mad that she's not here. And sad that she didn't tuck her boy in tonight. And that he didn't get tucked in by his mama. What can possibly be okay about a 5 year old without his mama? Last night I changed Asher's diaper before bed and I was singing and he was cooing and his roly little back was so soft under my fingers and it was one of those shining moments of the day. Nothing special, but perfectly wonderful. And I thought of Jenna in that moment. Out of the blue, her smile popped into my mind. And I cried because I get to be here.

Here is a gift. Here is a miracle. Here is a wonder. Each simple, profound, amazing breath, in and out, in and out, is to be cherished for the wonder that it is. Just in case you ever wonder.

my space

I am in the space where I change diapers and discuss the rules when 10-year-olds stay home alone.

I am in the space where I wash the teeniest little socks and navigate internet safety and screen time moderation.

I am in the space where I rock babies to sleep and help fold size 10 laundry.

I am in the space where I nurse a baby and teach a boy to write, a girl to add big numbers, and a boy to multiply fractions and find the greatest common factor.

I am in the space where I watch, right before my very amazed eyes, a baby grow and develop at rapid infant speed and anticipate watching a boy grow and develop at rapid puberty speed.

There are nap times and basketball games, tummy time and dance class, moby wraps and French braids.

Asher's little fists are no longer closed tight as though he is holding on to the world's deepest secret. His head, formerly found nestled into my shoulder, leans away more often now to take in this big world that he is intent on discovering.

Isaac's world is expanding more and more beyond these four walls. He wants to listen to music on his MP3 player and can run into basketball practice on his own.

And those are just my biggest and littlest. The two sandwiched beautifully in the middle have their own stories, their own discoveries, their own paths.

Audrey has friends over to play and they go to her room and listen to music and giggle while making bracelets or cutting out paper fashion outfits and she overcame some very big and very valid fears to get back on skis, but she's already loving it.

Elliot lost a tooth and delights, just absolutely shines, in his basketball games, legs pumping, dimples flashing, hands covering his head if he thinks the rebound might land on him.

My space is beautiful. Tiring. Emotionally draining. Emotionally fulfilling. Physically draining. Delightful. Silly. Yes. All of those and more. My space right now is this little snippet of life on this little snippet of earth during this little snippet of time when all the things I love collide. And collisions are messy. Like life. But I could not imagine it any other way.

Just the other day I was telling the kids how lucky I am that of all the kids in all the world, I got the very best ones and how very much I love them. Isaac, being the oldest and wisest, said, "Yeah. But if you had other kids you'd think they were the best ones." Valid point, oldest and wisest one, but I didn't. I have them. And I count my lucky stars for it every night. Even the nights when I drop in bed weary from the mess of life, full of dread that I'll be awoken again at any minute from a small fellow who scoffs at our notion of nighttime sleeping, I still stay thank you for these four. My four out of all the billions. I've got them and they've got me. And they make my space feel just about perfect.

The cold. oh the cold.

Can we talk about the weather? The cold is wearing on all of us hearty Minnesotans. I feel terrible for people who recently moved here from warmer climates because they must be at the psychiatrist's office every day having their head examined. It's terrible. So, we hunker down.

Yesterday we spent our morning schooling, then built forts, played with blocks, knocked blocks down, played at the neighbor's while I used their treadmill, and finally settled in the fort for a movie. Then the neighbor kids went home and the flashlights came out and the fort became canvas for a little shadow puppet guessing game. Finally Elliot talked Audrey into reading him another chapter of the Droon series. Man, that kid is serious about that book series. I remember a few years ago when it was all Audrey and Isaac talked about and Elliot felt so out of the loop. Well, now he is in on the action and he loves it. Because of this, we discovered we can no longer spell things we don't want him to understand because he can figure it out. Isaac was trying to spell something that happens later in the book and Elliot decoded it. Go, Elliot! Unfortunately for Audrey he a) can't read them on his own yet and b) is very persuasive in getting her to read them to him. Two kids sitting under a little fort, armed with flashlight and book is one of the sweetest things I've seen in a long time. And I see a lot of sweet things.

Today the fort was renovated three times and served as a Droon castle, spy fort, reading spot, and house. The kids are handling our forced hibernation incredibly well. It helps that they're used to being home with their siblings and me all day, so this isn't too different. Tomorrow it will be 20 and we will rejoice and sing celebratory songs to the skies and frolic in the snow like crazy people who haven't breathed fresh air in three days. Oh, wait. That will be the truth. The sad, sad truth.

 Isaac has Percy Jackson and his many, many tales to keep him occupied.

 Reading books before bed.

 Audrey loves to hold and read to Asher, too.

 Asher learns to "read."

 "Because of Winn Dixie" is watched from the comforts of the fort.

 Two siblings, one flashlight, one droon series. Endless entertainment.

National chocolate cake day was ugly, but delicious.

Playdates

Co-op was canceled on Thursday due to extreme cold. This has been the winter of extreme cold in MN with more nasty coming overnight. Jim is the lucky duck who is hightailing it to Arizona on Sunday for a week of R&R. Well, really it's for work, but he'll get to feel warm sun on his bare arms and will only wake up when his alarm clock tells him to and those two things combined together sound a whole lot like R&R to me. Oh, and other people will prepare his food for him. But I digress.

At any rate, co-op was canceled, much to Audrey's chagrin and much to Elliot's delight. She wanted to see her friends and he doesn't like co-op. To help her see her friends and him like co-op more I decided to ask each of them if they'd like to invite a friend over.

On Thursday Audrey had her friend Marisa over. The sweet little girl giggles I heard coming from Audrey's room were just the sweetest. They made Rainbow Loom bracelets and cut out fashion outfits and sang Jamie Grace and played Just Dance together. Audrey is such a social little girl, but she prefers small groups so she was in her element and just so happy to have this time with her friend.

 

She  decided Wednesday was a cape day.

Just Dance with Marisa, Isaac on the mike

Then today Elliot and I (Asher, too) went to his friend's house while Isaac and Audrey skied with Jim. Nikolai is also a kindergartner and a new big brother to a baby brother so they have a lot in common. Elliot can be shy, the reason he strongly dislikes co-op and sunday school and anything else that involves hanging out with people he isn't related to, so I was absolutely thrilled when we walked into the house and he ran down the stairs to play cars with Nikolai. They played cars and shot hoops and laughed together and it was music to my mama ears.

much love for the baby brother

It is so fun to watch these little people come into their own.

picking up what we're putting down

Last night, in another discussion about Greek gods and goddesses, myths, and Percy Jackson, each kid was choosing which god or goddess they would want to be. God of death, goddess of rainbow, god of the sea, and so on and so forth. Isaac looked at me and said, "Mama, you should be the goddess of love." I will state for the record that he was not in any trouble, did not want anything, and was not being sarcastic. He was just being that beautifully sweet. And he feels my love big and strong and that means everything to me.

Five months

I'm living in denial. My baby will be six months old in one month. I have no idea where the time went or how we got here or how to slow it down. So, I'm just trying to live it up with this big, thriving, adorable baby boy and his awesome big siblings.

Nicknames: Asher boy, boo boo, sweet cheeks, squishy, cheekers

LIKES: Johnny Jumper. Mama. Dada, unless mama's gone and he tries to put Asher to sleep. Then it's on. Audrey acting silly makes him laugh like crazy. Isaac zerberts. Elliot kisses. Being held. Splashing and kicking and jumping in the bath. Putting things in his mouth. Moby wrap. Music. Patty cake. Peek a boo. If I keep him held and fed, he is a happy, happy boy.

DISLIKES: Sleeping long stretches. Overstimulation. Breathing in the arctic air. Being put down for too long.

EATING: Still lots and lots of milk, but he is watching us eat with great interest so I believe he has an avocado in his not-so-distant future.

SLEEPING: We are trying to get him to sleep in his crib more so he usually naps there (2-3 naps/day) and starts his nights there. He often ends up in the bunny bassinet in his room at some point and also sleeping on me in our bed. The last two to three nights have been significantly better because he was getting up every 1 1/2 to 2 hours all night long. He wasn't always hungry, but mostly just wanted to be settled. I've stopped taking a supplement and started putting him to bed a bit later and both things seem to be helping. Fingers crossed!

PLAYING: He loves jumping and giggling in his Johnny Jumper. He loves watching our mouths while we talk and sing and putting everything in his mouth. He likes to look at himself in the mirror. He coos in response to our voices and tracks things really well. He'll play with anything as long as it's safe to shove in his mouth, but he gets frustrated if it's too big or the wrong shape. He loves to listen in as I read to the bigger kids and likes his own books, too.

MILESTONES: More talking and giggling. Almost rolling back to front. Bouncing and jumping anytime we have him standing on our laps. He has found his feet a few times and his hand eye coordination has improved greatly. He pushes up really high during tummy time and rocks up and down a bit with his arms, like he's doing baby push-ups. He is developing such a fun personality and interacting with us so much.

And cue the adorable photos:

 

today's gifts

Watching a baby fall asleep, eyelids droop, drooping under the weight of sleep, chest rising and falling ever more rhythmically, breath even, in, out, in, pause, out, pause. Sleep. Beautiful sleep.

Reading The Sons of Neptune to a 10-year-old boy before bed as he perfects his newly learned fishbone bracelet on the rainbow loom and the cries of excitement as he solves mysteries and makes connections within the book.

The 19-toothed smile of a little boy, fresh home from his second basketball practice with news of scrimmages, shots made, and four days until his first game.

The ever improving notes and songs played on the piano by a very dedicated 7 year old, singing along, making her song all the more beautiful.

Today's gifts.

new year

I know i'm late to the party, but I kind of just realized that it's 2014. I mean, I obviously knew that happened, but it hit me today. I was watching asher lay on his playmat, chomping on his toys and rubbing his deliciously chubby fred flintstone feet together. oh how he loves to rub those tootsies together. the big 3 were at reading hour and I just sat there watching this baby, my baby, who is on the fast lane to five months old already. sigh. boo. so I watched and marveled. this boy. his life. his cheekers. his deep, raspy voice and his pterodactyl-like screeches. all of it.

i haven't really personally reflected on 2013. it was a vastly huge year for me. for us. asher made his way into this world and our family and my heart. and that hit me today, 1/15/2014, as i took a quiet moment out of a noisy day to watch a baby boy explore his world.

Tuesday, in pictures

 A book-loving mama loves to walk downstairs to this fantastic sight.

 Audrey snapped a random shot of me making lunch with my trusty sidekick.

 Teething much?

 Snuggled in for an afternoon snooze while I chop veggies for dinner.

 Game night with audy-boo while the bigger boys are at basketball.

 She requested silly faces.

He came home thrilled about his first basketball practice. Hence the smile. it also explains why he slept in his Praying Mantis basketball uniform.

When the going gets tough, otherwise titled Why the bags under my eyes could haul a pack of elephants to the Caribbean, otherwise titled Why I swapped pj pants for yoga pants and threw on a sweatshirt, otherwise titled Sometimes you just have to grab hold and wait

Long title. I know. Here's something I want my kids to know when they're older:

Sometimes your baby only sleeps a few hours in the crib and mostly on your chest and only in 1 1/2 hour increments throughout the night, then throws in a 2 hour party from 1:30-3:30 in the AM where all the cool kids are invited. And by cool kids, I mean me. Then your daughter, this beautiful little soul that you love, love, love asks, "Do you love Asher more than me? Because sometimes it seems like you do since you hold him so much and play with him." And that just rips your heart into guilty little broken and sad pieces. Then your husband starts talking about all of the states that he's traveling to for work, namely Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Arizona and, while it's not your nature to worry about his travel schedule before it happens, you might have to wonder, "How am I supposed to do all of this, plus get the trash out and do all of the basketball drop-offs, and take everyone grocery shopping when I have to give myself a big ol' pep talk just to get out of bed these days and I dread the night because I know I will get no rest?" Valid question, yes?

Whine fest over. There are bigger fish to fry in the world. Don't I know it.

But the point is that life isn't always how you think it will be. Scratch that. Life is rarely what you think it will be. In fact, if life is what you think it will be, make note of it somewhere and save that paper/computer file/stone tablet forever because that won't happen again for quite some time, a la Halley's Comet.

Sometimes life is better than we expect. Man, the beautiful unexpected surprises life brings are amazing. They will sustain you through a lot of the other times. They're just that good. Sometimes life just is, which is pretty darn sweet in and of itself. But sometimes it's just harder. Like when all of those things I mentioned in the first paragraph collide in a trifecta of blech. And sometimes life feels absolutely impossible, when marriages fall apart or cancer is diagnosed or mental illness consumes or tragic accidents take lives. Terrible, tragic, impossible things will happen to all of us at some point. There's no good explanation as to why they must happen, although I wish I had some solid, good answers that would explain it eloquently and easily. But I don't. Sorry.

Here's what I do know. Hold on. Just hold on. The good stuff will come again. You might be so magnificently upset from the train wreck portion of life that you don't realize it right away, but good stuff will come. It'll get easier to smile and see the stunning gorgeousness of a sunset over water or the quiet beauty of a fresh snowfall.

And here's what I know makes it easier. Hold on with the people who love you. Like me, for example. :) Or your dad or siblings or grandparents or aunts/uncles/cousins or friends. Because, you see, there is this big, long, extensive list of people who love you just because you're you, and that's the very best kind of love. So, find one of them, tell them what's troubling you, and just hunker down together and hold on.

And here's what makes it doubly easier. Tell God about it. Trust God with the beauty of your life and the junk of your life. Trust God to get you through the days where you feel you'll never be enough or you won't be able to stop crying or the news is so bad you don't even want to get out of bed. Cling to God. God's strength can prop us up when we feel our very weakest. Trusting God won't make it easy, but it will make it possible.

True story: The other day I dreaded getting out of bed because I was so tired and crabby that I feared I would be rude to everyone that crossed my path. I started saying what a rotten mama I was and all this other nonsense. And then I remembered that God made me. Big God made little ol' me, and saw me fit to raise four of the best kids I know. (biased much? why yes I am.) So, I can't be all that bad, right? So I turned off the whining negativity in my brain and said, "God, I'm really tired. I can't even imagine getting out of this bed right now, but I have to. Please give me the strength to be a kind, loving mama today. It's going to be hard, but with your help I can do it." I got myself up out of bed and we had a very nice day. I made it through the day. We all did, actually, with smiles and kindness and a whole bucket full of grace.

So, long title, long blog post. Here's the bottom line. Life isn't easy. But you are enough. You have enough goodness and strength within you and enough love and support around you to get through the hardest parts. You are loved. You are strong. You are going to make it. Just hold on. I want you to know all of this in your heart, where good truths sometimes hide. Just in case you ever wonder.

loving on my 9 year old

Today we had some new friends over. They have two five year olds and two two-and-a-half year olds. We spent the afternoon sledding on our little hill and right away the five year old boy wanted to zoom down with Isaac. Lately Isaac hasn't been too interested in sledding on our little hill, but he quickly jumped at the chance to play with all of the neighbor kids.

We talked about it tonight and Isaac said that it was fun to ride with him because even if they didn't make it far, he was always really excited. I commented on the fact that it was fun to do stuff with little kids because they were always so excited. Isaac agreed, then said, "And pretty soon I'll get to do that with Asher." Jim and I shared a glance, hearts full of love that our big 9 year old is looking forward to sharing new things with his baby brother. He continued, "I love when kids are like 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and they think everything is so fun and exciting. It'll be so fun to sled and do other stuff with Asher." Good grief, I love that kid. What a gift he is to me.

lessons over lunch

Jim, Elliot, and Isaac were enjoying the empty slopes at Afton Alps on Friday so I was home with Audrey and Asher. We had an exciting day planned. No we didn't, actually. Camp Club Girls books and Wii for Audrey while Asher napped and I finished the grocery list, then grocery shopping, a stop at the library, lunch, and a meeting with a friend to talk about church stuff. Not exactly exciting, but certainly much easier with two kids than with four.

Audrey is a grade a helper. She is so good with Asher and loves running errands and ranks right up there as world's best sister. We got through grocery shopping without a hitch, Audrey proudly pushing Asher in his stroller while I handled the cart. Our stop at the library included a light lunch for Asher to ensure that our drive to Noodles and Company was pleasant and not scream-filled. I'm happy to report that it worked.

We got to Noodles, ordered our food, and Audrey picked our spot. I looked around and noticed a woman, maybe five to ten years older than me, sitting at a window seat, eating slowly, book in hand. I obviously know nothing of her story, but I quickly imagined that she only had to get herself out of her car, no carseat straps or misplaced mittens. I even imagined back when she decided to leave for lunch and just had to slip on shoes and coat, grab her keys, and get in the car. And now here she was eating a leisurely lunch while reading.

There are three things I wish I had unlimited time for: reading, writing, and running. Alas, I do not have much time for any of those three things that bring me great joy. So, upon seeing this woman, my initial reaction was a hint jealousy. She, presumably, has time to do the things I miss.

And then I looked at my daughter and my baby son and I realized I'd be that woman before I know it. There will be a time in the not so distant future when I will have time to read and write and run and I'll want to go on a date with Jim and we'll just get dressed and drive away. I'll want to meet a friend for coffee and I'll slip on shoes, grab keys, and go. And won't that be nice? But won't I miss this? The hustle and bustle, the board games, the huge hugs and sloppy kisses, the seeing the world through kid eyes who notice peachy sunsets and snow perfect for snowmen.

Yes, there are things I will not miss. Petty arguments and more laundry than I can keep up with. Cooking all those meals for all those mouths and taking that dang long to get out the door every. single. time. (never ceases to amaze me.) Being woken up by a deliciously adorable baby many, many times each night and temper tantrums. Nope. I could do without those things.

But, the list of things I'll miss and mourn is far longer and includes, but is not limited to:
sweet Elliot hugs that change the entire trajectory of a day from crabby to smiley,

squishy Asher discovering his deep, raspy, boisterous laugh as I grunt like a gorilla and tickle his ample tummy with my hair,

 

 

gentle Isaac asking me to pray with him and, when I sit down, he sits right in my lap for the first time in ages and I squeeze, squeeze, squeeze the dickens out of my almost 10-year-old,

loving Audrey brushing my hair and putting all of her barrettes in it as I read her chapter book before bed.

This time right here is full of its own challenges, as all time is. But the list of joys goes on and on for pages upon pages that would fill book upon book until I had my own library. Which is kind of the point of this little blog here. My own library to share with these four kids that wonder and delight and amaze and love and are loved.

I'll read over lunch eventually. For now, I'll continue cleaning up the ice water that Audrey spilled all over the table, her lunch, and my lap. I'll continue folding more laundry and cooking more meals. I'll continue getting hugs and kissing ouches and waking up many, many, many times all the night long. Speaking of which, there's Asher. . . again. Time to go soothe a baby.

 

cookies-another milestone

Audrey loves to bake and had great success with her first cheesecake this week. In fact, it has been called the best cake ever by Isaac and he's already requested it for his birthday cake. Inspired by the news that her cousin, Payton, likes to bake all by herself, Audrey decided to make chocolate chip cookies all by herself today. Jim and I helped her get the ingredients that were too heavy and handled putting the cookies into and taking them out of the oven. Luckily I also checked in right before she was about to put cookies onto the cookie sheets since she had missed an all-important ingredient: flour.

She did a great job, the cookies taste delicious, and it is further proof that these kids are just growing up too darn fast.

reflecting with the kids

We sat around the living room with our glass jar of 2013 memories in the middle of the floor. We talked about the high and low points of the year and what we were looking forward to in the year to come. We decided hospital stays can be bad and scary (broken legs and racing heart rates) or extraordinarily good (bringing home a baby.) Man, with these five by my side, there is so much to look forward to.

Memories of 2013 (at least the ones we remembered to write down and put in the jar)
*mini-golfing and Sebastian Joe's ice cream for Elliot's 5th birthday
*4/1/13 Audrey switches to a bright green, long walking cast
*7/14/13 baby shower for baby cuatro at Kristen's house
*8/10/13 Irish Fair at Harriet Island (We loved the sheepherding and the dancing)
*2/22/13 Audrey got her wheelchair
*8/5/13 Water Park of America -we closed the joint and rode the slides until 10 pm!
*12/16/13 Isaac, Audrey, and Jim see Cinderella at CTC
*10/7/13 Isaac seen at ER for HR in 200s. Later diagnosed as SVT
*2/1/13 Shared Baby Cuatro news with Isaac, Audrey, and Elliot
*1/10/13 1st family ski/snowboard day at Spirit Mt is a smashing success
*2/25/13 Aunt Jayne visits for the weekend and Audrey gets a new cast
*3/25/13 Audrey and I went to see Cuatro at my 19 week ultrasound. Baby was perfect!
*6/13 Game ball for Isaac
*1/28/13 We went sledding at the soccer hill
*2/8/13 Heard Cuatro's heartbeat
*12/13 Cut down Christmas tree (bobby Jr.) at Pinestead Tree Farm
*11/25/13 Asher's first trip to zoo (Audrey posed like the buffalo was peeing on her)
*8/22/13 Asher Michael is born! (five days late and more than worth the wait)
*5/13 Trip to St. Louis. Highlights were: Magic House, zoo, science museum
*2/18/13 Audrey breaks leg at spirit mountain
*4/13 over 9 1/2 inches of snow in april
*4/1/13 Elliot hung up picture frames with Jim. He loves helping with projects.
*3/31/13 Celebrated easter with the Wirebaughs
*11/13 Celebrated Thanksgiving at "The Mansion" with the Wirebaughs
*12/13 Celebrated Christmas, saw 8th floor, and hollidazzle with Mom, Keith, Cory, Maclain, and Beckett
*11/13 Lefse making with grandma, grandpa, Katie, and Beckett
*12/26/13 Christmas in Hutchinson, sledding and snowboarding
*3/26/13 Grandma B's funeral in Ortonville (saw lots of family, said goodbye to a wonderful woman, Elliot's illness and bloody nose, latest dinner ever.)
*12/31/13 Audrey's first cheesecake, ringing in the new year with Genets, Just Dance tournament, in the box fun

We also printed up some reflection questions and went around the room answering them. Here are the kids' answers.
What was your favorite thing from this past spring?
E: baseball
A: my dance recital
I: baseball
What was your favorite thing from this past summer? (besides Asher)
E: my birthday
A: going to the beach
I: playing football
What was your favorite thing from this past fall?
E: throwing leaves at each other
A: throwing leaves
I: Asher
Favorite thing from past winter?
E: making a snowman
A: lefse and making snowman
I: speaking gobbeldy gook to asher and having him laugh so hard and playing basketball
What was the hardest thing that happened this past year?
E: got sick when nana and babu visited and couldn't see Frozen
A: broken leg
I: going to the ER
What were the best books you read this year?
E: Kensuke's Kingdom
A: Camp Club Girls Series
I: Percy Jackson series
Who were the important people in your life this past year?
E: (after I talked him out of saying NFL players) Asher
A: my family
I: Asher, mom, dad, family, friends
What was your favorite thing that you learned this year?
E: to read
A: doing a triathlon
I: fractions
How do you hope next year will be like this past year?
E: still have suburban
A: go to Water Park of America again
I: fun
How do you hope this next year will be different for you?
E: We live in Colorado
A: move to Colorado
I: play with mom and dad even more