a mommy and a baby bear

Dear Connor,
You have so much energy! So much energy! Sometimes it just drives me crazy, your little legs are moving constantly, you are snuggling for only ten second increments, and you want to climb on everything. I'm trying to get better about letting you be but more times than not I lose my patience and hear myself saying, "CONNOR, STOP!"

We just got back from Olympia and you had such a good time! A few weeks ago Uncle Rick came down to visit us and you thought he was so cool. You were teasing each other back and forth which eventually led to Uncle Rick picking you up, holding you upside down, and shaking you out of your pants. At first you thought this was hilarious, and then about ten minutes later you went up to him and told him you didn't like that. Ever since then you've been worried about Uncle Rick shaking you out of your pants. He's promised he'll never do it again, but you're not so sure. When we got to Olympia and you saw Uncle Rick you burst into tears and hid down the hall. It took you a few minutes to calm down and even then you ran through his screen door. You eventually did calm down and you started teasing Rick. You were telling him to be on his best behavior or else... the list of  'or elses' was incredibly long, however you settled on tying him to a tree with rope and sticking feathers to him. We all ran with that idea and now you are so excited for the mandatory family BBQ in July so you  can follow through with this plan. Daddy has you all excited to send notes to Uncle Rick with pictures of him all tied up. We've been telling Uncle Rick that he has to play along, and to be honest all the adults are almost as excited as you.

On the way home from Olympia we stopped at the Tacoma Zoo. We went to the gift store first so that we didn't have to hear about it all the way through the zoo and you immediately saw a  giant stuffed polar bear and a matching baby polar bear that you wanted. You asked Daddy and he told you that you had to pick one. You were a little sad about that but you ended up picking the baby. Hunter picked a baby brown bear. On the way home from the zoo (about 6 hours later), Daddy stopped at Ellensburg and bought a giant brown bear that Hunter had asked for on the way up to Olympia. Daddy didn't remember that you had wanted a Mommy and a baby and when he bought the giant bear it meant that Hunter had a Mommy and a baby. You were SO upset. You were certain that Daddy didn't love you anymore, when in reality Daddy was just trying to show Hunter that he could still get the things he wanted even when he'd given up on it.... Daddy could phrase that much more eloquently. Anyway, Daddy talked to you about how he loves you and how he made a mistake and promised to make it right. As soon as we got home Daddy went to Walmart but no giant polar bears to be found so I ended up ordering one online for you. Then we printed out a picture and we told you that the polar bear was on the way. You are so excited!!! We're still at least two days away from the arrival of the bear, so hopefully you can make it that long!

The other day we were at a small park and there was a bathroom relatively close to the toys. I let you go up to use it on your own and you were so excited. For a minute. Then you came running out insisting that I come with you to help. To be honest, I was pretty annoyed. I'm expecting you to be a little more independent at four years old, which would include using the restroom on your own. I did go back with you though and you were acting terrified to sit on the toilet, which was making me even more annoyed because I didn't get it and I just did not want to be standing in a bathroom with you. Then suddenly the toilet flushed on its own, making a huge noise and echo, and you jumped off that toilet seat in a full sprint. As I was laughing hysterically it all started making sense, and I felt bad for being annoyed. It was so funny seeing you jump off that toilet though.

We have been having so much fun with you lately, listening to your stories and jokes and watching your imagination at work. You're still the sweetest little boy in the world. I love you so much.
Mommy

Bug Party

Dear Bubbas,
We survived another party. This party was just as fun as the last. You three are still very confused on how we can have a party and it's not a birthday party, but you accept that you don't get it and just enjoy the party anyway!

You three are enamored with the amount of food that comes through the door. I have to admit, we moms are pretty impressed by that as well. It seems that regardless of the play date the spread is fantastic! I even let you help me make the mud cups this time. You had a blast making them. In fact, you had so much fun making them that three little mud cups never made it to the party.

Grammy Darrlyn stopped by during the party to grab some blankets for our trip to Olympia that we were leaving on the next day and Hunter was so busy having fun with his friends he wouldn't even stop to say hi! Connor was concerned that Grammy had never had some of the bug treats before so he tried to load her up with all the yummy food to take with her.

Kaylee was insistent on going shirtless for the party. I fought it for a good twenty minutes and then gave up. Eventually she'll wear a shirt!

These random parties have been so much fun for us. I can't wait until the next one! I guess I better get planning! =0)

I love you three so much! My day would be so boring with out you.
Love,
Mommy

Little Girl

Dear Kaylee,
I absolutely love having a little girl. I thank God for you every day. Your sweet little voice, those big 'ol eyes just like your Mammas, and watching you dance are just a few of your qualities I just can't get enough of.

We've always joked that you think you're older than you really are. Yesterday you proved that to us. Connor and Hunter got to go spend the night at a friends house and you were upset that you weren't going to get to go. I was explaining that you are two and you can't stay at friends until you're four. You interrupted me and said, "I not two! I Fwee!" I giggled so hard over that one.

You've started calling me Mamma instead of Mommy. I don't know why. It's sure cute though.
You talk all the time. You are constantly asking to call Grammy on the phone just so you can talk some more! You tell us all sorts of things that are important to a two year old- your favorite part of the candy, the funniest thing you just heard, the injustice that was just served. You really want to show me things all the time. "Watch this Mamma, Watch this!" You show me how you can stand on one leg, your newest dance move, how you can put your head on the ground, the way you take a bite with your spoon, the list goes on and on. I've tried explaining that you don't have to show me every little thing you do, but that just baffles you, so I endure.

You're growing like a weed! Last night you were crying because your legs hurt so we gave you some medicine. I swear you went from 18 month clothes to 4T in less than a year! I thought for sure you'd be in 3T by the end of the summer, but it's just the beginning and you're needing new clothes again!
Your hair is getting so long! It's absolutely adorable! I gave you piggies yesterday, and they were the cutest things I've seen ever! Your hair is just barely long enough, so they fall out really easy- but totally worth it!

Daddy made you give up your sippy cup the other night. You only used it in bed to have your chocolate milk, but he said it was time for you to drink your milk at the table before you laid down. This wasn't as upsetting for you as it was for me! You kissed your cup good bye and haven't looked back since.

You're completely potty trained now. For awhile you were having about an accident a week, and at this moment, I can't remember your last accident! Every time you go to the bathroom you think you get jelly beans. You're having trouble understanding that jelly beans were a reward to teach you and not a lifetime treat for pooping in the toilet!

You are the worlds cutest little dancer. Every time you hear music you start dancing around the room. I love to watch you when you're coming up with new moves because the concentration on your face is so adorable!

I love you baby girl! You make every day so exciting and fun. You are the sweetest, kindest, most loving little girl in the world- I'm sure of it.

Love,
Mommy