We chalk.

Super four!

Tristen in his new cape, just a few days before his birthday.

By the growth chart in his bedroom, he's grown 1.25 inches in the last month. No WONDER he's been so out of sorts. :)

Actually, things have been really fun again for the past couple of weeks. Goodbye 3s. Hello, 4.

What if there were only lovey swords?

This morning we were sitting on the couch, and Tristen asked me who would take care of him if I died before he grew up. I told him I planned to take care of him for a long, long time, but if something unexpected did happen, his daddy would take good care of him.

Then he asked what would happen if we both died. I reassured him that there is no shortage of people who could take care of him -- and we listed them all by name. He seemed satisfied, raised his hands and shoulders, and said, "Yeah; apparently we ALL die sometime."

Apparently?

Then, as if all this talk of mortality made Tristen consider his own role in killing, he said, "If I had a real sword, I would just leave people alone. I would not kill them." I said I thought that was a good idea.

He was quiet for a moment.

"Mom?"

"Yeah?

"What if there was only lovey swords?"

Birthday roadies

Thanks to Aunt Mamy and Cousin Abigail for helping with Tristen's birthday party. They helped set up and clean up -- but they were also on task with the tattoos.

Birthday slideshow

Tristen and Galen, from preschool, shared a birthday party at Carkeek Park. LOTS of fun. Check out the slideshow below! j(For those of you viewing on Facebook, here's the link to our Picasa album.)

Interlake campout

Pix from super-fun Interlake campout: Tristen helping set up the tent, Chris standing in front of his well engineered and flagged driftwood fort, and Tristen and Emmett playing in a huge old stump near camp. More on our Picasa site.

A lot

Yesterday Tristen told me that he loved me "50 pounds to space."

I think that might mean quite a lot.

However much it is, it can't possibly be as much as I love him.