The shuffle

When you space your children out like we did, 12, 9 and going on 4, the whole family dynamic is a little different than when you have your kids close together. For instance, the oldest's activities invariably revolve around the youngest's naps. Or the activities we're able to do together as a whole family are limited. The oldest two don't want to do baby things and the baby of the family doesn't have the patience the older two have. So...I've noticed that as a family, we aren't able to do too much all together. Oh, sure we could force the issue and make someone upset and miserable, but to keep the peace and to have the most enjoyment, we take turns.
So like on the weekends, I take the older two golfing with me. Or Paul takes the older two fishing. Two weekends ago though, Paul took Tayton and Katia to a fishing derby. They both won new fishing poles and Tayton's came with a little bit of tackle. He was thrilled! So everyday, when Paul gets home from work, Tayton asks, "Daddy, will you take me fishing at the Ford?" He has been catching a ton- the first day, he caught 6 bass, the second time he caught four, and this morning- six more! What fun for a little kid to actually see what all the hoopla is about. Well, this afternoon, Paul, Katia, and Tyler took off for their big fishing weekend with my dad. They'll be gone for six days. Tayton and I are sure going to be sure missing them all. Tayton is an active kid. Never really wants to sit still too long, comes with the age I guess. But we'll try to find something to do that will be fun for him. Lots of sprinkler days, and trips to the library, and maybe the park. He doesn't understand why he can't go with on the fishing trip. He says, "I AM BIG, Mom!" I was glad that Paul took only Tayton fishing alot this week so they had that time together. Otherwise, I know he'd be bawling his little eyes out as they left.
They have a full truckload of stuff that they will haul by canoe(several trips) to an island on Fish Lake up in Alger County. It's so beautiful up there and the fishing is fantastic! My dad will be home from the road tomorrow sometime and will head up then. The adults are outnumbered by the kids, should be interesting fishing:-) I wonder if Katia will win again this year!