Pedicures

Dear Kaylee,
Every day you grow up so much more. You are my little sweetie pie. You're also giving me a run for the money. Today you threw yourself down on the floor and had all four limbs thrashing around in true tantrum form. I didn't personally witness the thrashing but I could hear it in the kitchen. You have such a temper. At dinner tonight you were mad and threw yourself backwards hitting your head on the wall. That only infuriated you more. You are probably the queen of tantrums. And then, in the blink of an eye, you are my sweet baby girl giving me kisses and snuggling into me. You give the best kisses. You come towards my face super slow and then plant a big one right on my lips. I love the anticipation. I'm not sure if I'm going to get slobbered on, a nice kiss, or head butted.
Today I wanted a pedicure so I took you to the mall. I knew it would be risky but I really wanted one! You were very good. The last ten minutes you were done and I had to pull out every trick in the book to keep you calm, but overall you did very good. You stood in the water and leaned against my legs. Every time I had to pull my foot out of the water, you did too. You copied everything I did perfectly. You even let them give your calves a massage and paint your big toes. Yes, only your big toes.
When were done I let you ride on one of the rides and we went and got some pretzel sticks. You were pretty happy. You don't have any pants so I went to Children's Place to find some great deals. We found some really cute pants for $4. I wanted to get one in every color, you wanted blue. I tried to talk you into the other colors but you just grabbed two blues and headed to the counter to pay. I traded one of the blues for a pair of purple stripe pants. You're not thrilled, but I think they're cute! You definitely know what you like.
You say everything is blue, or "boo." You really like the teal and aqua colors. You pick them out of your drawers whenever they are available!
You love the show Yo Gabba Gabba, I think it's because of the Dancy Dance. You love to dance and still ask every day if you can.
You love Ben and Ethan, but particularly Ethan. You call him Eeefee. It is the cutest thing in the world. Whenever he's not around you look for him. Today you even had Grammy buy him suckers.
You already tease your brothers. I have to stop you before it gets out of hand. You will push them until they are completely melting down and I have to remind them that they are twice your age and height. You typically give them a sly smirk and then give them back whatever it was you took. It drives them insane, and I think it's probably only the beginning. Regardless though, you three love each other to the moon and back. You copy everything they do and they love to teach you things. They always run to your side and defend you. You are very lucky to have such sweet caring older brothers. We are very lucky to have you.
I love you!
Mommy

Her new "Boo" pants.

Edible Crayons

Dear Bubbas,
I love you! We've been having such a great time the last few weeks. I think I've decided that none of us our hot weather people. We struggled during the summer, but now that the new school year is here we are all in much better moods. We've are babysitting two friends this year. Ben (5) and Ethan (3). It's been really fun so far and you three love it. Every day you run to get dressed so we can go to their house, and every day you cry when their Mommy or Daddy comes to pick them up. I love watching the five of you interact. Kaylee laughs so hard at you guys. She throws her head back and belly laughs in her car seat while you guys are making jokes on the way to preschool.
We took the boys to preschool orientation the other day. Kaylee got to play outside with Daddy for an hour while the boys were meeting their teachers. Your classroom looks fun, and I think you're going to have a great year. We had to miss the first day of preschool because Connor and Kaylee had the stomach flu over the last weekend. Hunter got lucky and didn't get sick....at least yet anyway!
In honor of school starting we made some edible crayons. My friend Rachel posted the recipe and pictures of the ones she made and I was super motivated to give them a try. I ended up going to four different stores to get all the supplies, but it didn't damper my excitement. You make them by dipping pretzel rods into chocolate and then wrapping a crayon wrapper around it. So the night before I made all the crayon wrappers and prepared all the pretzel rods. The next morning I let you guys dip the pretzels. You had so much fun! You love colorful food! You didn't dip deep enough though, so I tried to redo some of them. However, when I redid them the chocolate got really thick and the crayon wrappers wouldn't fit around the pretzel. I tried for awhile and then got irritated. I ended up making one cute bag of crayons and then letting you all eat the chocolate dipped pretzels. I don't know when I'll learn. You had the best time dipping, and I should have left it at that!
We bought our Halloween costumes about a week ago. I know it's still September, but you were really excited. You've all been wearing them around the house a ton! Kaylee is Cinderella. Connor was super impressed that he found a Cinderella doll's dress and it MATCHED Kaylee's dress. He told her quite a few times that it was "a match." Connor and Hunter are superheros. I have no idea which ones. I think one may be a transformer... Regardless you three look adorable running around the house in these outfits.
I'm really thankful to have such fun kids. You make every day exciting! I love you three so very much.
Mommy

Best Aunt In The World

Dear Kaylee,
You have the best Aunt in the World. We went down to the beach at the campground. It was a decent walk away from our site. Since you've been in pull ups and you learned quickly how to potty in the great outdoors I didn't bother to take a diaper bag. What were the odds that you would poop? Well, pretty good apparently. Poop you did. We had only been to the beach for a few minutes. We were ate a crossroad. I knew you were super excited to be at the beach. You practically ran down the path and were ripping your shoes off far before it was time. If I were to walk you back to camp you would completely melt down. However, I couldn't let you play knowing that you needed a new pull up.
That's when Aunt Diane said, "Wipe as much as you can with the diaper and I'll rinse her off in the river." Now, I would like to say that this is something I thought of, or at least would have been willing to do, but I was very relieved that I did not have the appropriate footwear to be walking into the river to clean a babies butt. Aunt Diane was wearing flip flops so I took her up on the offer.
I wiped as good as I could, but it was a pretty full diaper. Aunt Diane carefully picked you up by the armpits and carried you a good arms length away all the way to the river. She then began dipping you and letting you sway back and forth in the water.
We all thought you would scream because the water was so very cold, but you giggled with glee. At that moment Aunt Diane was not only the best Aunt in the world, she was also your very best friend. And mine too, because it was one less butt I had to clean that day.
You owe Aunt Diane a pretty big thank you hug next time you see here. It probably wouldn't hurt if we got her a Starbucks too!
Love You Kiddo,
Mommy

Hunter's Date

Dear Hunter,
You finally earned your trip to the movies with Mommy. Kind of. I cheated a little and added stars to your chart when you weren't looking. You were in dire need of some Mommy time and it was taking you forever. You didn't notice the added stars so you still think that you earned the trip. You would have eventually earned it anyway.
First we went to the mall to get you a pair of pajamas. You talked about which pajamas you were going to pick out all the way to the mall. You wanted to get Batman pajamas. When we got to Old Navy they didn't have any pajamas your size so we had to go to Gymboree. Gymboree only had Halloween pajamas. You picked out some bat pajamas, but I wasn't thrilled with them. The sales associate said she had some pajamas in the back. She went and picked out all of the 5T pajamas she had and brought them up front for you to look through. You carefully selected a pair of  Muscle Dog pajamas. I think they are cute as a button on you. I absolutely adore them. You do to, because you talked about the pair of pajamas you picked out all the way to the movie theater. You were very concerned about Connor and Kaylee being awake when you got home so that you could show them your new Muscle Dog pajamas! They weren't awake, but you remembered first thing in the morning and you showed them off. Connor and Kaylee were sufficiently impressed.
When we got to the theater you were so excited. Your eyes were wide with joy! We got our tickets and then went to pick out a snack. You picked out the popcorn box that comes with gummies and a soda. You told the girl behind the counter that you wanted root-beer. I was pretty impressed that you actually told her what you wanted. Normally, you just stare at them when they ask you.
You carried your popcorn box all the way to your seat by yourself. You were walking incredibly slow and you told me the reason was that you had to be very careful not to spill. While you were walking at a snails pace an older man (grandpa age) came walking by. He ruffled your hair and then asked if he could have some of your popcorn. You said, "Sure!" As you held your box up for him to grab a handful he started laughing. He said thanks and then walked away. You stared at him with this, "What was that about?" look on your face.
I told you that you could pick the seat. You took us all the way up to the top row. We settled in and you talked to me about all the previews, telling me which ones looked silly and which ones you wanted to see on your birthday. When The Smurfs started you were giggling so hard!  You thought Clumsy Smurf was the funniest thing.  You ate as much popcorn and root-beer as you could possibly hold in your belly. I know, because you climbed up on my lap and I could feel how extended your stomach was!  I was impressed that you sat through almost all of the movie without getting bored. There was probably twenty minutes left of the movie and you decided that you were bored and told me you were ready to go home. At this point I also felt the movie was boring so I agreed.
We walked across the street to the ice cream place. When we got to there you picked out purple icecream. It was huckleberry, so it was actually pretty good. We had them mix in blackberries and gummy worms. You ate all the gummy worms and left the ice cream and blackberries for me. While we ate you told me all about how silly the movie was and how Clumsy was so funny. You reminded me that you had to show Connor and Kaylee your new pajamas. You asked for five more minutes when we got home to stay awake.
When we got home you spent your five minutes trying on your new pajamas and showing them to Daddy. You told Daddy all about Clumsy and the gummy worms. Then I snuggled you to sleep, which took all of two minutes.
It was such a great date! I love how you talked to me the whole time. You have so much to say and you are such a snuggle boy! I love you!

Mommy

Connor and Mommy's Date

Dear Connor,
It has come to my attention lately that you and Hunter have been feeling a little left out. It appears that Kaylee is getting most of the attention these days. Unfortunately these things will happen from time to time. I was feeling bad about it until I remembered that it wasn't very long ago when I was telling your Daddy that Kaylee wasn't getting very much attention because you two were getting it all. Every day I do my best to make sure all three of you get the love and attention you need, it's just sometimes one of you needs a little more now and then. However, I don't want anyone feeling left out so I decided to take you and Hunter each out on your own date with Mommy. You had to earn your date by correcting some of the behavior that you had been displaying to get my attention, and you earned your date first. You were very excited, and repeatedly reminded Hunter that he wasn't going, only you and Mommy. Hunter didn't seem to care. He knew he hadn't earned his date and that it'll be his turn soon.
I took you to the free movie at Fairchild Cinemas. We could choose between Mr. Poppers Penguins or Rio. You chose Rio. You were very excited! You picked out an Apple Juice and we got a kids pack with popcorn and gummies. We talked in depth about every preview and then the movie finally started. You were getting louder and louder telling me about all the funny parts of the movie that we were watching. You like to replay the movie for me bit by bit. I asked you nicely to use a quiet voice when you were telling me about the movie and I could tell instantly that it had hurt your feelings. I let you sit for a minute and then I put my hand on your leg to comfort you. You picked my hand up and threw it back into my own lap. You then told me that you were "so mad and wanted to be left alone."
I left you alone for a few minutes and then a funny part of the movie came on and I laughed. Wanting to see if you thought it was funny as well I looked over at you. You looked back at me with this look of shock and hurt all in one face. When I asked what was wrong you said, "Why are you laughing at me?!"
I tried my hardest to explain what had just happened, but it was too late you were "so mad."
We were less than ten minutes into the movie and so I said, "Connor I want to have fun, so lets have fun or lets go home."
You said, "Let's go home."
I told you to wait for a few more minutes, and you did. You then turned to me and said," I'm ready to go home."
So we left. I didn't take you home though. I took you to the mall. In the van we had a nice long talk about what happened and how I wasn't laughing at you. We talked about why you were so mad and gave each other a big hug and kiss. Then we went to MyFroYo. You had the best time in the world picking out all the candy to put in your cup. You had maybe two bites and then said you were done.
Lately you've been telling me that you don't have any cute shirts. You want shirts without pictures on them. I thought a good way to end the date would be to go to Old Navy and buy some shirts without pictures on them. However, before we could get to the shirts you saw a pair of Cars pajamas. They had Mater on the front of them. Granted, they were very cute- but they were also $17. Three times as much as I would normally pay for a pair of pajamas! You had your little heart set on them. You always sleep in your underwear so I asked, "Are you even going to wear these?"
You said," I love them, I will wear them soo many days!"
How could I say no? I'd already hurt your feelings at the theater. You were thrilled! You put them on as soon as we got home and wore them all day long. I kept reminding myself to get pictures of them, but it just never happened. So, I'll probably ask you to wear them for a bit tomorrow so I can get a picture.
Overall, it was good time together. It was fun talking with you and shopping. You are the sweetest, most sensitive boy and I love it! I love everything about you, forever and ever.
Mommy

Potty Trained?!

Dear Kaylee,
You started taking your diaper off earlier this week. We went rounds about it, but you continued to do it. Finally, I got the little potty chair out and I set it up for you. I thought that if I made you sit on it every time you took your diaper off you would stop taking your diaper off. Well, that's not really what happened. You decided that you would go ahead and potty train yourself. The first day you used the potty all day long. Literally, all day long. We were in the bathroom every ten minutes! By the end of the day Mommy was exhausted! You had several accidents over the course of the day, but you were really successful for your first day. You also were getting really annoyed at the diapers so Grammy brought over your first panties. She bought three packages and you were so excited! The look on your face was priceless. You wanted to try all of the panties on at the same time. We let you and got some good pictures, before you had an accident and wet all of them at once! I washed them as quick as I could so that when you woke up from nap we'd be ready to go. You kept your panties dry until late evening, when I think you were getting tired. I went to the store after dinner and bought you some pull ups. You resisted them at first because they weren't panties, but after we talked about how cool they were, how they had princesses on them, and how they were PINK, you decided they were suffice. You look so adorable in them!
On day two, you didn't have one accident! You don't poop in the toilet yet, but we're showing you where it goes and talking about it so I'm sure it will be in the next few days. You poop in the pull up and tell me instantly so we can go to the bathroom and clean up.
Today was day three and you had another great day! I'd say you're officially out of diapers (except when you're sleeping). I'm going to leave the pull ups on you for a few weeks, until you're super confident and then we'll put the panties back on.
I made you a potty chart today. You don't need it, but I want to reward you for all the hard work you're doing.
The hardest part about this whole ordeal has been convincing you that you don't have the same body as your brothers. You pinch yourself while you potty. You think that you have a gadget like the boys do. You try to stand at the toilet to potty, and we have to remind you that little girls can sit and potty and they don't have to hold anything (or pinch) while they potty. You're getting better, although I don't think you understand. Tonight at Grammy's we were outside and the boys had to go potty so Grammy told them to find a tree. All three of you went running over to the trees by the fence, dropped your pants, leaned back and peed. It was the cutest thing in the whole world, and I'm so bummed I didn't have a camera. You were so proud of yourself for peeing on a tree like the boys. I didn't bother correcting you, you'll figure it out soon enough.
I love how independent you are. It makes me so sad that you insist on growing up so fast, but you are so driven and so internally motivated you can't help it. I love that about you.
Thanks for being such an amazing little girl!
Mommy

Look how excited she is to be wearing panties!

Look at that cute butt!

Oh NO!

Dear Kaylee,
I'm sorry it's been so long since I've written to you. I just don't know where the time has gone! I'll try my hardest not to let that happen again anytime soon. You had your 18 month well check last week. You are 33 1/2 inches tall and 27 lbs. You were so cute at the Doctor's office. When they called your name, you walked right back to the nurse with such purpose. You stepped on the scale and let her weigh you and then walked yourself to the room. When we got into the room you insisted on sitting up on the exam bed, and then you sat there the whole time she took your hear rate, listened to your lungs, temperature, and ears! You didn't even want me next to you. You had this look on your face that was almost a smile of pride but also trying to be serious at the same time. It was a very fun appointment.
Daddy took you to get new shoes yesterday. I told him to get you two pairs. One pair of sneakers and one pair for church. I told him not to let you get Dora shoes (she's everywhere these days). Daddy asked what to do if you wanted the Dora shoes. I told him that if you wanted them it was fine, but not to show them to you. When you came home, you ran over to me so proud. We took your new shoes out of the box and what do 'ya know...Dora shoes. They are pretty cute. Daddy said they were the first ones you grabbed and that it was love at first sight. You didn't even want to pick out your church shoes. Daddy helped you pick out the church shoes and you settled for some really cute little black dress shoes that should look nice with your fall outfits.
You talk all day long. You don't have a lot of words yet, about 15. The doctor said that was really good for your age. You say "OH NO!" all the time. You say it if you drop a toy, if you're out of juice, if the dvd is over, etc. You don't just say it once, you say it multiple times at the top of your lungs. It's very urgent, every time. I feel like all day long I'm telling you, "this isn't a big deal."
You've learned how to get out of your own bed. I spent one Friday cleaning your room and letting you decorate it. You thought it was so cool to have your own room. Technically, you've had your own room this whole time, but it was full of our junk. Now it's officially full of Kaylee's stuff and you love it. The very next morning you let yourself out of your bed for the first time. I catch you taking piles of toys back to your room to play with, or I'll find the piles later in the day when I'm laying you down for nap.
I find lots of things around the house these days. When I was doing the dishes the other day I opened up one of the bottom cabinets. There should have just been casserole dishes in this cabinet, however it appears that you were helping do the dishes because I found an empty container of Teddy Grahms, and half a glass of juice. It made me laugh so hard.
We took you to Vacation Bible School with the boys. You were too little to participate but you were allowed in the nursery.  I put you in the nursery the first day because I wanted you to have toys to play with and I wanted to walk around and watch the boys to make sure they were doing ok. You screamed so loud as I walked out the door. You just kept calling my name..."MAMA!" You are, by the way, the only one who has called me Mama. It's pretty cute. I stood by the door where you couldn't see me for five minutes until they told me to leave. I told them I didn't want to leave until I knew you weren't crying anymore  and then I gave them a package of gummies. I told them to let you eat the gummies and you would be fine. Within ten seconds you quit crying. As I walked by you looked very content. After that I decided I should make you go play every day without me. I realized you don't get any time without mom and that it would be good for you to see that when Mommy drops you off, she comes back. The second day was hard, the third day you fake cried, and the fourth day you walked in and sat down on your teachers lap and started playing. It was really good for you to do that for a week.
You've started taking your diaper off. You think it's pretty hilarious. I do not think it's hilarious, and we've been battling over it the last few days. You're not ready to potty train, but I think in a few months you will be. Until then, I'm just going to have to keep panties over the top of your diaper to discourage you from pulling it down. You like to pull it down under your butt, and run around with just your cheeks hanging out. It is cute to see those little cheeks, but it's also very frustrating to have to put twice as many diapers on you in one day.
You throw some very good tantrums these days. You get really upset if I put water in your sippy cup. Very upset! You run out of the room screaming and crying with your arms in the air, and then you run back into the room to scream at my feet so I know how angry it's made you. I'm trying so hard to make you drink water so you don't grow up with a passionate dislike of it like your mother, but you are making it very difficult. Daddy says you were born with the "no water gene" and that you got it from me so I can't get upset at you. Regardless, your tantrums are getting you a lot of time outs lately.
You give the best hugs right now. You wrap your arms around our necks so tight. That or you give a backwards hug. You'll be sitting next to me or on me and you'll throw your arm around my head and pull my cheek to your cheek to give me  a hug. That's probably my favorite. However, I do like watching you hug your brothers, and you expect a hug from them every time they've done something that requires an apology. I'll tell them to go say sorry and you immediately hold your arms out in the air for your hug.
The other night I woke up at two in the morning to Hunter calling my name from the living room. When I got out there I saw that Daddy had fallen asleep on the couch watching a movie. You were sitting next to Hunter in the recliner. You had the biggest grin on your face, like you knew you were getting away with something. There were a lot of tears from both of you when I turned the movie off and made you go back to bed.  
You three love each other so much. Connor and Hunter tell everybody not to take you home, because then they wouldn't have a baby anymore, and you are their baby. I also catch you randomly hugging or kissing on each other. It's pretty adorable.
I love you so much too! Thanks for being such a sweetie-pie!

Mommy