Tuesday, November 21, 2017

The Story of a Fish

This is the story of a fish named Taxi.  
Taxi was a Beta, a fighter, a friend and someone who kept us company in the bathroom.  That's where Taxi resided.  Nestled between two sinks Taxi saw a lot of life.  The busy hub of a bathroom to 6 people.  
Never a dull moment for the fish.

I'm always the last to bed so I'd turn his tank light off every night.  He would swim toward the opening in the tank hoping for a few more specks of food.  He loved me.  Or it was just a conditioned response to the hand that feeds.  I'd like to think it was a little of both.  People looked at me like I was crazy when I said I genuinely cared for that fish.  But he was a part of our family for over two years.  And another living being who needed care.

He was a birthday gift to Sullivan from us on his 4th birthday.  Sully was thrilled.  He loved having the responsibility and would talk to him daily.  It's funny how a pet - no matter how small - can get in your heart.  And he really did with the boys.  They would talk to him while brushing their teeth, tap on his tank before washing their hands and tell him goodnight before bed.  I even overheard them whisper "don't tell mom!" to the fish in a fit of giggles over who-knows-what, more than once.  
Oh the secrets that fish kept.
Taxi on the day he came home.  Before I splurged on a fancy filtered tank.  Don't fish live in fish bowls??
Sully meeting, and naming, Taxi for the first time...8/2015
I can't believe how much he looks like Fletcher in this picture!
We also threw parties for Taxi...
  Gathered around his tank we'd sing happy birthday on the arbitrary day we picked to be his special day.  That fish was never bored, if fish actually get bored.
So it was last month...  
It was time to change the tank water and I found him.  Grey and lifeless.
My heart sank, because the worst part was coming...telling the boys.

Max laughed nervously.  He immediately tried to play it cool.  
Announcing we could now get a new, better pet.  Even though I could see the devastation in his eyes.

  Fletcher didn't quite understand and accounted the whole business to Taxi being sleepy.

And then there was Sully.  My old soul who feels everything.  He burst into tears and truly mourned the life of his fish.  I resisted the temptation to cover his sadness with the promise of a new fish.  He had to make his way out of the tunnel and feel what he was feeling for his pet.  I let him be sad.  He cried himself to sleep more than one night.  He wanted to talk about where Taxi went and if he was happy and if he'd see him again one day.  He was thoughtful about whether Taxi would've wanted to be flushed or buried in our yard.  I was proud of his process.

Then, recently, Sully handed me this drawing.  He had stayed up silently drawing in his bed one night.  He said the last  image is of him ready to meet his new fish.

(Sully's description of his picture: It was a happy, sunny day when he met Taxi.  Then his heart was sad when Taxi died.  And now he is ready to go get a new fish with  momma.)
And soon, we'll go find Taxi 2.  
To be continued...

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Fletcher is FOUR! | A "Dragons Love Tacos" Party


Dear Fletcher,

Four years old! It’s been a blink. A flash. A blur. You are my heart and also my hardest work.  Strong-willed, quick and charismatic. You challenge me to my core…there are times you leave me speechless (and maybe even outsmarted). But you truly are my little sidekick and our connection runs deep.
Every morning, after you hear your Dad shut the backdoor on his way to work, you tip toe into my room and tunnel under the covers.   Before your brothers are even stirring from sleep we talk about dinosaurs and Paw Patrol.  And you always, without fail, cup your little hands on my cheeks and say "you wook bootiful, momma" with a sincerity that makes me believe it's true in spite of my dark circles and messy hair.  These are our best moments together.  You’re sweet and sleepy and lean into just “being” without plotting how to be one step ahead of me:)
Last week you asked me, Does being a momma mean if you are chilly, and also your kid is chilly, you still want to give him your blanket anyway?” And I said, “That’s exactly what it means, Fletcher. The best definition I’ve ever heard.

I hope the next four years pass a little more slowly, although I know the reality is that they will go twice as fast. 

Happy fourth birthday, Fletcher-man.  So thankful for this wild ride with you.

My whole heart,
Momma

YOUR PARTY!  | Dragon's Love Tacos

I was happy this was the theme you picked.  I LOVE that you love tacos as much as me (and dragons, of course).  But I've been crazy busy recently (all good stuff) and I literally didn't plan a single detail other than "make tacos" until 3 days before your party.  I scrambled to find the pinata you wanted, make a sign and come up with a quick "pin the tail on the dragon" game.  It always comes together in the end.  And a smile on your face is all I need to declare the party a success.
Adding a few more "tomatoes" to our taco cake. 
He also helped me make the mini "taco" cupcake toppers out of cookies.

Helping me with the taco garland.

This one...no help at all;)

Fletch & Clara born just hours apart and best friends forever.

Annabelle & Sully, being cute.
Cousins!

Pin the Tail on the Dragon.




the Taco Cave full of cookies and donations for the Children's Mercy Mitten Drive.

Adorable cookies from The Sugared Shamrock!

with Lolli and his new Hatchimal.

with Mimi & PopPop (and Max, photo-bombing)

We had so much fun celebrating you.
I hope four was everything you wished for!