then and now

It's hard to believe that this picture was taken in 2008. We were in Baldwin City riding a restored train. It was our first solo, Tom, Taylor, Lily and Drew vacation. We took the kids to Kansas City and stayed in a hotel. We swam in the hotel pool, or mostly just the hot tub. We took them to Wonderscope, which is a wonderful, hands on children's museum. Then we caught this train on the way home. Well, the train didn't take us home it just took us to Norwood, KS and then back to Baldwin City where we then got back in the car and drove home. Lily has referred to this trip many times over the last two years. She remembers practically every detail. Including the fact that I let her watch 30 minutes of the movie Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang in the hotel. Apparently she loves that movie.

We planned this trip to Kansas City again this year. Minus the hotel, plus Julianna. We caught the train again and took them to Wonderscope. I guess that sounds like we took the train to Wonderscope, but we weren't that lucky. :) They had a magnificent time again. It was so fun to think about the fact that Drew is now the age Lily was when we went the first time; and Julianna is now the age Drew was the first time too.

As every year of parenting passes some things are getting easier. Tom and I have an easier time navigating our parenting style together. The kids require less assistance with little things like, oh, I don't know, going to the bathroom or feeding themselves. The fact that Julianna is the only one in diapers and everyone can walk, opens up many opportunities and new things to try. Lily is recalling more and more memories of things we've done together and is 'getting' more jokes. I can say with great confidence that having these kids and creating this family and absolutely the greatest thing I have ever done. Please remind me of this when they really start to back talk and hate when I look to them in public.