The Chastain Family: Finally!

I can't tell you how long I have planned to blog.

I think of things all the time to blog about.

I plan what I will say.

I plan the pictures I will post.

Let's just say I have big plans! ;)

Now, I'm at a loss on where to begin. How funny is that?

Writer's block? HA! As if I'm a writer!

Am I freezing up? HA! It's not like I am about to go on stage!

Let's just update. It's been an interesting time in our life. Daniel is now 17 and we hardly see him. He used to be eager to visit his dad and siblings whenever he had a break from school long enough to make it to Florida. Now, at 17, I think he has more social interests. He prefers his friends....to us???? When did that happen? How did he grow up so fast??? He had just turned 5 when I met his dad. Seems like it's only been a few years...not 12! Jeez....that means I'm getting older...I must have aged...12 years! He is planning to visit us and hit the beach a few times this summer. Can't wait. The kids think an amusement park is visiting when Daniel is here!
As a side note, Whitney turns 40 this year! Just a few weeks away. He's not sweating it though. He does keep reminding me that men get distinguished while women get old....aaarg.

Grace is 9 and sweet as ever! She is such a good helper. I am constantly amazed at her maturity level and responsibility. Then she does something that makes me go "WHAT???" and I have to remind myself that she IS a child. She LOVES reading and we make frequent trips to the library for 4 or more books at a time and within a week she needs to go back. Homeschooling has been great for her though I think she would thrive in any environment. She gets excited at learning something by doing things, not in a textbook. I'll be posting soon about our frog catching and habitat creating and our butterfly larvae once they emerge as butterflies. She LOVES it. Most of all Grace is a DADDY'S GIRL and always has been. She'd much rather work outside with Whitney than inside with me...and he gives hard chores....I don't want to do them but she loves it.

Colin, my Colin....he is 6 and turning 7 in a few months. He is a character. He is loving becoming more independent each day. He gets so upset if I tell him to go do something (make his bed, feed the cats, etc) before he has a chance to do it because he wants to surprise me by doing it himself. He can shower by himself now! I don't know if he should have been doing that by age 4 or something but we are excited to reach it at 6. For a while he wasn't getting his hair completely rinsed but now he is. He's just too short to hang the towel back up...his sister happily helps with that in exchange for him taking her dirty clothes to the laundry room for him. He has delved into a myriad of sports this year...soccer, basketball and now tee ball. Yes, we have begun the dreaded baseball. Don't get me wrong, he loves it and we are enjoying it too. It's just that as he gets older...come on...some of you parents are WAY over the top...a few coaches too. I don't mean by being competitive, a little of that is good for the boys but come on, some yell so much at the kids that it's not fun anymore. Isn't it supposed to be fun? Homeschooling has been challenging some days though I am sure that it is the right decision. He is a "Wiggly Willy" and I have to stay on my toes to keep him focused but he is doing great. We struggle in spelling but he is a fantastic reader so I am sure the spelling will come. He gets excited about now reading chapter books on his own.