3 years....really??

Geez, has it really been that long?  It can't be!  Well I guess it can because my baby turned 4 (yes 4) a couple of weeks ago.  We have lived here 4 years.  Never thought that would happen....ever.  We were discussing moves (because a big one is coming this summer) and we realized that we have lived more in Alaska than in anywhere else.  It keeps sucking us back in! 

We have told the kids about our move and they have mixed emotions.  Shane and Jace are excited.  Brett not so much.  He loves the cold; he loves the snow.  Pretty sure he was grown here not flown here like his constantly cold mother.  Kids are so resilient though.  Shane tried out and successfully made the ultra-elite competitive soccer team here in Fairbanks this fall.  When I told him about the move he took it all in stride.  My favorite comment by far was, "Oh mom, I would much prefer to be with my family".  {Insert cheesy music and a melting heart}.  Just remember this 10 years from now when I am "ruining" your life. 

North Pole has been good to us.  It's a good place to raise kids.  It's safe.  My kids have really gotten to experience childhood much the same way I did.  They build forts, ride down to their friends house, and play night games until the sun goes down.  (or when the we drag them in because they would be out all night)  This past summer our house played host to, on average, 15 kids every day for games of tag and capture the flag.  It made me happy to see kids running everywhere having a great time.  It is such a great neighborhood.  Such good people.  Such great friends!  Ok, tears gone...we're not leaving yet!

Shane loves soccer, loves soccer, lovers soccer.  Did I mention he loves soccer?  All the boys are playing up an age group for this league so that means that Shane is playing with the 11-15 year olds.  Good gracious he looks like such a baby out there with the big boys.  I am constantly worried about him playing out there but he has proven to hang with them and has just been getting better and better.  He was on the receiving end of a large goalie's sliding kick and went down hard on Saturday.  Momma Bear went running (its still embarrassing to recall) onto the field to see if he was ok.  After Shane got up and was walking off the field, Travis comes calmly walking onto the field.  What did I do?  Of course I said some snide remark like, "Where were you?"  To which he replied, "I was holding back to make sure the coaches had it under control."  Still redfaced....He's such a great student and doing so well in school.  It's always nice to hear when you go to a parent teacher conferences and have such high praises sang about your child.  It's great to know that he isn't the ginormous pain at school as he is here at home.  He has taken on my habit of saying, "I know, right?"  Didn't know  how often I said that until my 9 year old starting saying it all the time.  

More tomorrow....all this catching up is making me tired.  Plus I really want to focus all my attention on watching Olympics.  Priorities....