Even though many things have changed since I was a kid, I'm continually amazed by how much has remained the same. Batman, that poor guy, still unfortunately smells; I wonder whether anyone in his right mind would choose to sniff a kid's feet over handing out a treat; and Mad Libs are going as strong as ever.

The girls, in fact, just discovered the joys of Mad Libs after picking up a couple of books at our school's annual Book Fair. I should have videoed some of their hysterical laughter, but I thought I'd at least share one of their completed entries so you can hopefully experience it for yourself...

Bwahahahaha!!!!!!! (wiping tears from eyes)

Totally childish. Totally nostalgic. Totally fun. 

Time for a pop quiz! Let's see if you can guess. Of the two pictures below, in which is Bryce actually sleeping?

A.

B.

Brownie points of happiness for those of you who guess correctly!

I am a reader. Once a month, I go into Ellie's second grade classroom, volunteer badge around my neck, and spend an hour working with the kids on Project Cornerstone. The stories I read to them are surprisingly powerful; One has been a personal favorite thus far.

But I hadn't intended to step into this role. No, if anything, I've tried to keep my commitments as low as possible to avoid burning out. However, when the pleas came out for help -- there hadn't been any parents who'd been willing to take on the role -- I stepped forward. 

Before I'd started, Felix and I shared a few laughs about it. I'm not exactly the "warm and fuzzy" type and often roll my eyes at such bibble-babble sentiments. So imagine my surprise when I realized how much I was enjoying myself. The kids and I talked about standing tall, about defending our friends, about refusing to be bullied. I was stunned by the information collected by Project Cornerstone's survey, and the goals they were trying to support no longer seemed so absurd.

In truth, elementary and middle school were not easy years for me. I was a small, shy, un-athletic bookworm, and I struggled for a long time to figure out my place in the world. Among Ellie's young, eager classmates, I saw glimpses of myself from a more innocent and optimistic time. I found myself wanting to do more, to help empower these children to be stronger than I had been.

So I read. Every month. With joy and the feeling that I am making an impact. And when the kids complete their various projects -- this month, we drew and colored flowers that revealed nice gestures we'd done for others and the ways in which those actions made us feel -- I am filled with genuine awe at the love they carry around in their hearts. Bibble-babble aside, I can only hope that I'm inspiring them at least as much as they inspire me.

Fall is a tough season for me. At the peak, I'm easily working 70-80 hour weeks. In some ways, after so many years, I've become accustomed to it -- the ebb and flow rhythm of my cyclical schedule, the absurd amounts of caffeine I consume to keep myself awake, and the pure delight of my students, as they share this small but wonderfully crazy part of their lives. I love it. Truly, I do.

But when I sit at my desk and watch the skies grow dark, there's always that corner of my mind, that tiny piece of my heart, that wonders what's happening at home. I miss dinner, I'm not there for bedtime, and Felix and I are reduced to mere passersby. I used to squeeze phone calls in between appointments, awkwardly hoping my toddlers could trade a few words with me before they drifted off to sleep, but hearing their sweet baby voices would just as often bring tears rushing to my eyes, so I didn't do it very much.

Instead, to my joy, as my kids have grown older and more adept at communication, the means by which we can connect have also improved. I don't deny the problems -- as a society, we're too wrapped up in our gadgets and addicted to our internet connections, glued to a screen instead of engaging face to face. Yet in those moments when I'm watching and laughing over Ellie's antics, or I glance down at my phone and see that Keira's sent me a text, I can't complain. Sometimes, it's just what I need, and for that, I'm simply grateful.

It's the fall. Kindergarten has started. And once again, I'm reminded that Bryce is soooooooo not the girls.

Every day, we walk the 45 seconds to school, and even before we've entered the yard, he bursts into enthusiastic waves and shouts of, "HELLO!!!!" to every parent, student, and teacher he sees. Do I know any of these parents? No. Can I tell his classmates apart? Please. Yet somehow, my little boy has managed to shake everyone's hand, learn all their names, and win them over (or at least render himself unforgettable) with his broad smile and loud, charming ways.

Every day, he gets into trouble. We beg him not to touch, spray, squeeze, taste, throw, or basically do ANYTHING without asking us first, yet his fingers are still faster than his sense of caution. A mysterious powder is mixed with a bucket of water in our garage. A bottle of perfume is unleashed in my office. We open the bathroom closet to find exploded cans of shaving cream. To my equal parts pride and frustration, his curiosity runs the show.

Is he earnest, or is that pig-headed stubbornness? Independent thinking or defiance? Bryce is... Well, he's Bryce. He just lost his first tooth and keeps it in his room, a precious treasure on his shelf. I'll glance in the rearview mirror and see him holding his hands up, pretending that he's steering the car while making pbpbpbpb noises under his breath. I raced around our yard this morning, wearing only pajamas and yelling his name because I was terrified that he'd been taken by strangers; he was merely visiting our neighbor. The roller coaster of his life has already made me laugh and cry, and he's not yet six. What else will be in store?

I try not to think about it too much. I honestly can't imagine. Instead, I tell myself not to grip too tightly, not to be so serious, and simply to cherish my impetuous, kindhearted, larger than life son.

Bryce will be starting kindergarten this fall. Kindergarten! From babe to big boy, my youngest has remarkably transformed right before my eyes. 

Which means it was time. 

Tonight over dinner, I pulled up my Facebook account, dug through my notes, and conducted my final interview. The girls, of course, were fascinated, mainly because they have absolutely no memory of doing such a thing with me. Yet that's why I blog, post photos, and maintain an online presence -- to capture those special moments in time that otherwise have a tendency to fade away.

Perhaps the Q&A will seem familiar. It was quite popular when I did my first one with Keira in 2009, and three years later, I'm still keeping it up. So here goes!

"Kids are honest. What do your kids have to say about you? Ask your child the following questions, and post the answers in your own note."

Bryce: 5.5 years old (04/24/2012)

Ellie: 5.5 years old (09/13/2010)

Keira: 5 years old (04/12/2009)

1. What is something your mom always says to you?

Bryce: No yelling.

Ellie: Love.

Keira: Hurry up. 

2. What makes your mom happy?

Bryce: When I keep my underwear dry.

Ellie: When I listen.

Keira: Hugs and kisses.

3. What makes your mom sad?

Bryce: When my underwear is wet.

Ellie: I don't know.

Keira: Being mean. (Awww, MAN...that sucks.)

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

Bryce: When you tickle me. (giggle, giggle)

Ellie: Tickle me.

Keira: Tickling!

5. What was your mom like as a child?

Bryce: You liked biking.

Ellie: You liked to draw.

Keira: Like Lau Lau. (My mom. I guess I really *am* becoming her...eek!)

6. How old is your mom?

Bryce: 36

Ellie: 36

Keira: I don't know. Umm...34?

7. How tall is your mom?

Bryce: 60 pounds.

Keira: No, Bryce! How TALL?!

Bryce: Really tall.

Ellie: You're tall. 

Keira: Medium. 

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Bryce: Tickle me.

Ellie: Working on your computer.

Keira: Hug me and kiss me and say goodnight to me.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

Bryce: Talk.

Ellie: I don't know what you do.

Keira: Go to work.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

Bryce: 'Cause they know your name.

Ellie: For a circus.

Keira: Your wedding.

11. What is your mom really good at?

Bryce: Cooking.

Ellie: Drawing.

Keira: Saying goodnight.

12. What is your mom not very good at?

Bryce: Running.

Keira: I was thinking running!

Ellie: Me, too.

Ellie: I don't know.

Keira: Being brave around spiders.

13. What does your mom do for a job?

Bryce: Work.

Ellie: You work and stuff.

Keira: Making money.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?

Bryce: Stuff.

Ellie: Chicken.

Keira: Everything.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

Bryce: Biking.

Ellie: When you're with me.

Keira: Going to work and making money for my allowance.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Bryce: Mama.

Ellie: Curious George.

Keira: Sleeping Beauty 'cause you love to sleep.

17. What do you and your mom do together?

Bryce: Drive all over the place!

Ellie: We do something fun, like draw a little picture.

Keira: Most of the time, do hugging and kissing.

18. How are you and your mom the same?

Bryce: Since you love me. And I love you.

Ellie: 'Cause we have black hair.

Keira: Because we both start with "K".

19. How are you and your mom different?

Bryce: Since you're tall. And I'm short.

Ellie: Because we do different things.

Keira: Because our last names are different, because your name is "Chi" and my name is "Lin."

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

Bryce: 'Cause you really love me.

Ellie: Because you give me hugs.

Keira: Because you hug and kiss me a lot.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?

Bryce: Since he cooks.

Ellie: When he goofs.

Keira: Because his food is really good.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

Bryce: Starbucks.

Ellie: To pasta places.

Keira: Everywhere! Wherever I am.

Me: Is there anything else you want to say?

Bryce: No.

Ellie: Mama, is that everything? Is there more?

Mama: Nope. Thanks, Ellie.

Ellie: Oh.

Keira: Will you put, "I love you" at the very bottom?

Mama: OK.

I LOVE YOU.