Miss. Paris Elise Richards is 8 years old. Paris has been the Jan Brady (middle child) for over four years and has done remarkably well with it. I actually think shes' helped Gigi in adjusting to sharing that middle child role. I always say Paris is my hippie tree hugger and I love that about her. Paris takes the humanitarian in me to a higher and better level. Par wants to donate to every fundraiser/cause she hears of and is constantly getting "emotional" over the hurt of others even when its her favorite chef on Master Chef whom is dismissed home. I put emotional in quotes because it's often how Par Par describes herself.
It's amazing to see how wonderful she is turning out because she had such a rocky start. When Paris was born 7 weeks early we were told she may not make it. She had a long list of health issues due to her prematurity and it was about a three week road to get her up to where she needed to be.
She was the prettiest baby in the NICU of course. Once she had her chest tube out and was off the ventilator about five day after birth I finally got to hold her- I never wanted to let go
Paris was about 2 here... Gianna and her had a striking resemblance
Paris was about three here... so very precious
Paris and Barbie... They still cuddle like this
When you have a large family it takes a lot to keep it going and although we make it a point to spend as much quality time with the kids as possible it's generally all of us and extremely rare that its' one on one. This week marked the final week of second grade for Paris and she had a field trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Now take it we had taken the kids in March but you would have thought Paris was a Marine Biologist and had never seen a fish in person because she was just that excited. Josh was able to have his mama watch our little ones so we could both attend. The two of us were able to spend a devoted day to Paris and I'm not sure who enjoyed it more. I had worked the night before so was going on two hours of sleep but I was thrilled to be with my big girl. We followed the bus up and let the fun begin!
Daddy and his first of four baby girls
Paris walks with determination. I swear she is practicing for the Cat Walk
Paris really was on cloud 9
The Jellyfish were our favorites but they always are. Jellyfish are much like many parts of this world- they are amazingly beautiful to look at but if those delicate angel like tentacles touch you it means terrible pain but if you know how to approach it and touch just the tops you can get away with out the sting...My Paris will get through her sweet life the same way, I will teach her how to approach her dreams in hopes she can feel the amazement with as little pain as possible. This is my job and I take it very seriously.
Paris and Her buddy Rachel. Sweet girls
So I am not always a awe-inspiring parent in fact sometimes Josh and I are quite selfish. We bribed Paris to skip the park lunch and beach walk with her classmates so that we could go have a nice seafood lunch. I desperately wanted to eat hot food that wasn't being crammed in before babies may scream and the idea of having more one on one time with Paris was also in desperate need for me. Paris agreed and we signed her out and headed to Bubba Gumps with some other friends. I personally am not a fan of Bubba Gumps but it was a majority rule. After lunch we took Paris for a walk on the beach.
Paris instantly touched the sand. There is something magical about sand and the way it brings out the kids in all of us.
Paris got the ok to take her shoes off and roll her jeans up
and she was off....
I couldn't help but join my little one although I was dreading putting my sandy feet back in to my boots. In this moment I made a conscience decision to make a memory with Paris. I hope one day she looks at a photo or this blog and remembers what fun we had. She screamed and laughed and chased birds and Josh and I took it all in as if it were the last time we ever would....That's the best way to make any memory...take it in you never know when it will be the last.
The water was FREEZING, oddly Paris didn't want to go in...
We finished up with some shopping, ice-cream sundays and she picked a souvenir for her siblings(candy shop)!
I enjoyed every moment of this day, even Josh's horrible driving. As a side note I don't think Josh ever realizes he is not in his Patrol car- PEOPLE WILL NOT GET OUT OF YOUR WAY IN A MINI VAN DUDE!
As the week ends we had awards ceremonies for the kids. Paris did very well and although had one rocky quarter in math she did in fact end the year strong and managed to raise her grade to an A. She worked really hard and I was very proud of her.
Ty walking to receive his award
Ty had an above and beyond exceptional year. He worked extremely hard and earned straight A's the entire year. On top of that he received top award for his AR reading. He read more and at a higher comprehension than anyone in his grade level. He is definitely on his path to success and if he continues to want to be a Neurosurgeon- I have not a single doubt in my mind he can do it. That is until he grows up and decides he'd rather backpack across Europe(we will cross that bridge when we come to it)...
Ty and his best buddy Gabe.. They really are wonderful boys.
All and all it has been a wonderful school year and it's so hard to believe I am now the parent to a sixth and third grader. For all of you out there with little ones who thinks it's going to get easier as they get older- I hate to say it but your wrong... Sure they are potty trained and can make themselves a sandwich but they desperately need constant guidance even when they think that's the last thing they need. In fact that's what makes it so challenging, they THINK they are nearly grown-up so they don't need as much interference from mom but the fact of the matter is they need me teaching them right from wrong more than ever! Too many want to be their children's friends, they have friends- they need parents.
So my dearest Ty, Paris, Gianna, Charlotte and Penelope:
Please, please, please always feel you are just as important to me as each of your sisters and brother. Please know that just because we can not do individual excursions each week it does not mean it is not important or wanted to me and please know that everyday I will make an effort to connect with each of you as individuals but if I fail you in some way it was not intentional...I am human and only human but I will try just as I want you to try and understand that with every "NO", "YOUR NOT ALLOWED" and "I DON'T CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLES PARENTS LET THEM DO"- it stems from love. I am protecting you from the enticing dangers disguised as angel like beauty in this world that will in fact sting you if you approach it wrong. I am your mother. It is my job and for now that's all you need to know.
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