Our family trip to Coeur d’Alene is something my kids start talking about in February. Even at the end of the trip on the drive home they will start talking about next year. This year felt different. For one, my brother and niece couldn’t make it, and we could all feel their absence. The second, being the independence these kids are taking. We used to have our boys snuggled up next to us on the boat afraid of how fast the boat was going. But the five of them (being my boys and their cousins) all sat in front of the boat, like they were a flock of geese flying in a V asking Boppa to go faster and hit the big waves. It was so strange to not be needed in the same way.

Gilbert was stung by a bee, TWO separate times and is not terrified of bees. There were super hero rescues led by Benjamin. Louisa loves being on the boat and being spoiled by everyone, and would have nothing to do with me as I was the one who had to say “no.” As it’s sad to see them get older and lose the time of toddlers playing on the beach. It’s exciting to know that one year I might find myself able to relax and crack open a book.