Giving Thanks

Tyson and Mila,

 

This summer, my mommy  told me she had a dream that I had given birth to a baby that was capable of saying please and thank you fresh out of the womb. While giving thanks and having manners are two traits that I hope and pray I’m hammering into you both on a daily basis,  I have yet to determine how I can produce a baby with this knowledge pre-programmed. This is unfortunate, because I think Daddy would totally want more babies if they came out polite and thankful. Also, the Target newborn turkey hats are to die for.

 

But, I digress.

 

This year, for Thanksgiving, instead of just slapping up our Turkey wreath and throwing together a few turkey hand prints during arts and crafts time, I decided to  really hammer home the giving of thanks aspect of Thanksgiving. A huge roll of butcher paper and some cut out construction leaves later, I had created our first ever Thanksgiving tree.

 

 

 

Each night, during the month of November, we took turns at the dinner table saying what we were thankful for. I loved, loved, loved our Thanksgiving tree. It will be a tradition that we will continue for many years despite the eye rolls that I'm certain will accompany it during the teenage years.

 

Tyson-because we normally end our bedtime prayer with, “Dear God: Thank you for_______  you were waaay more prepared than I gave you credit for. You begged for it to be your turn to “pray” each night, and, completely surprised us when your first prayer included, “thank you Jesus for taking care of all of the people that are with you.”   Like, whoa. Quite a surprise considering I was convinced you would be thankful for your Halloween candy or new Legos.

 

Mila-you clearly are thankful for your “brudder.” I’d be thankful if you remember that when you are 5 and he’s 7. And then again when you are 13 and he’s 15. Also, I’m thankful for cake and dancing too honey. We all are.

 

 

In no particular order, the things we are thankful for in 2013:

 

I am thankful that we have a roof over our heads and food to eat.-Daddy

I am thankful that while I'm sleeping there are never any monsters in my room. -Tyson

I am thankful for Papa!-Mimi

I am thankful that in only 9 more work days I will be reporting to two cute little new bosses.-Mommy

I am thankful for cake!-Mimi

I am thankful for Pam, Blaine and all their kids.-Tyson

I am thankful for my beautiful, smart and funny wife.-Daddy

I am thankful for a husband that reminds me every day how lucky I am to be his wife.-Mommy

I am thankful that Mommy loves me, Daddy loves me, and Mila loves me.-Tyson

I am thankful for all of the yummy meals that Mommy makes for us.-Daddy

I am thankful for Pam-there is someone here on the days I can't be to love my kids and who they love too.-Mommy

I am thankful for Brudder.-Mimi

I am thankful for our beautiful house and my family inside of our house.-Tyson

I am thankful for our fun and nice family, friends and neighbors.-Mommy

I am thankful for our beautiful and loving family.-Daddy

I am thankful for Mommy, Brudder, Beep-beep, and Daddy.-Mimi

I am thankful for a comfy bed and comfy couches.-Tyson

I am thankful we are all healthy.-Daddy

I am thankful for dancing.-Mimi

I am thankful for a healthy and happy 4 year old boy and his special birthday this month.-Mommy

I am thankful for everyone who lives around us.-Tyson

I am thankful for Jesus taking care of everyone that is with Jesus.-Tyson

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving, my littles. I am thankful for both of you little turkeys.

 

Love,

 

Mommy

 

 

Fall Fun

We FINALLY (after three and a half year of living here) have a tree large enough to generate a pile of leaves-albeit small. Very small. Tyson was thrilled. Mila was less than amused at the thought of throwing herself in to a pile of dirty and itchy leaves. Smart girl, but she doesn't understand what she's missing out on.  

 

 

 

Birthday Magic

It was Daddy’s idea to hire a magician for Tyson’s fourth birthday party. Because I am generous, I will give him credit for the idea.

 

For the record, I will also give him credit for the ridiculous amount of pizza we had left over after the party.  After forcing party guests to take home whole pizzas as souvenirs, we had enough leftovers to feed our family for well over a week. If I never see another Domino’s pepperoni pizza for as long as I live, I’d be a happy woman. Also, I’d be skinnier.

 

Getting back to the point, Daddy had the idea, but it was me who actually found and hired the magician, put together what must have been at least one hundred magic wands, hand painted two bunnies in magician’s hats and turned our development club house into a pretty magical scene for Tyson’s 4^th birthday party.

 

We’ll skip over the part where one week before the party we realized that Tyson had no idea what a magician was which resulted in a frenzy of Youtube videos at bedtime to get him excited about Daddy’s idea.   

 

We (I) hired David Farr for the party and it might have been the best decision I’ve ever made. How this man managed to entertain 15 kids age 4 and under for almost an hour is a magic trick I’d pay big money to learn.  I mean, really.

 

It truly was a magical day to celebrate a pretty special four year old boy.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blue One

Despite Mila’s ever-expanding vocabulary, lately, if pressed, she could live through the day on ten expressions. In no particular order, these expressions are:

 

1)“The Blue One”

Pronounced: “da boo one”

Translation: (we think) the other one. Typically said if she wants to do something different, eat something different, read something different.

Uses: “The Blue One, Meow. Meow.” Which apparently means I want to go to Pam’s house (because she has a cat. Obviously.)

 

2)      “Oh”

Pronounced: oh.

Translation: oh....seriously are you still talking to me. I’ll pretend like I’m listening.

Uses: At least 100 times per day. A typical use, Me-“Mila! Look it’s snowing out!” Mila-“Oh.” Me-“Mila, a blue elephant is dancing in the street.” Mila-“Oh.”

 

3)“Baby Book”

Pronounced: “bebee book”

Translation: I want to read the book that I pick out. Most of the time it should have a cat on it. Or a baby.
Uses: Yelled repeatedly at me from the minute we announce bed time or nap time.

 

4)    “Thank you, Welcome”

Pronounced: “Tank du, welcome”

Translation: Thank you and welcome, I guess?!?!

Uses: To her advantage. When she wants something and after we give her something. I think she knows this one is cute.

 

5)“Slide!, Slide!”

Pronounced: “Side!, Side!”

Translation: I want to go downstairs and go on the slide repeatedly.

Uses: It seems like every minute. I’m rethinking my brilliant idea of bringing our slide in for the winter. I now have visions of spending my every waking moment in the basement watching her “side!”

 

6)      “Hurry Drive the Truck!”

Pronounced: “Hurry, Dive da Tuck!”

Translation: Please put on the Barney song, “Hurry, Hurry Drive the Firetruck!”

Uses:  Immediately after we set her butt in the carseat until we take her butt out of the carseat. For the record, not the most enjoyable song to listen to on repeat.

 

7)"NOO!"

Pronounced: "Nooooooooooooah!

Translation: No. Uh-uh. No way. Never. Nope.

Uses: Anytime she's asked a question. Ever. Even if we ask her if she wants a million dollars-one day she will regret this.

 

8) "Mama Silly."

Prounounced: "Mama seeeely!"

Uses: Practically any time I look at her and often after I've just gotten dressed for the day. I'm beginning to take offense to this particular expression.

 

9) "Right There"

Pronounced: "Right Dere"

Uses: Her response every time we ask her where anything is. Even if it's not actually, physically "right dere."

 

10) "Brother"

Pronounced: "Brudder"

Uses: All the live long day. “Brudder dink.” (brother, drink) “Brudder tiss.” (brother kiss) “Brudder seeping” (brother sleeping)

 

              

Little

Dear Tyson,

It's 4 in the morning on the day of your birthday party. I should be sleeping, but I can't.

Last night was my turn to put you to bed. We lay cuddling in my bed drinking milk and watching Mickey Mouse when you suddenly turned to me and whispered, "Mommy, did I use to watch this all the time when I was little?"

When you were little?

My sweet four year old boy, you still are so, so, little in my mind. Each morning I hold your little hand as we walk down the stairs. I put your hat on your sweet little head before we head out the door. I watch your little legs run ahead of me on the sidewalk. I look into your little eyes at least one hundred times a day to tell you I love you. I feel your little arms squeezing me with each hug before bed. And, at night, when you are fast asleep, I watch your little chest rise and fall with your peaceful breaths.

I've spent the last weeks worth of nap times hand painting bunnies popping out of hats and frantically making magic wands. I've cursed Pinterest no less than three hundred times, made five trips to Target this week, and spent way more than I care to admit on your party. And today it will all be worth it.

Today we will celebrate you with your friends and family in the most magical way possible.

I can't wait to watch your little face light up.

I love you.

Mommy

Ha-Ha-Halloween.

For an unknown reason, Mimi decided to refer to Halloween this year as, “HA! HA! Halloween!”

 

It should be noted that didn’t say, “HA! HA! Halloween!” she sung it.   No less than three hundred and seven times per day during the month of October. “HA! HA! Halloween!” Sung at the top of her sweet little lungs.   It started off endearing, but quickly materialized into that annoying song that echoes in your head all day long.   

 

For this reason, I packed up the pumpkins and Halloween décor immediately after trick or treating this year. Good riddance, “HA! HA! Halloween!”

 

We had a busy month packed with pumpkin picking, pumpkin painting, pumpkin bread, pumpkin carving and, of course, carrying pumpkins around the neighborhood  asking strangers to fill them with candy. Halloween is strange, but I’m certainly not one to argue with free candy.

 

Tyson and Mila were Woody and Jessie from Toy Story -costumes that were begged and pleaded for by Tyson last year.   Because I’m not good at sewing or anything that requires precision and/or patience, I ended up spending waaaay too much money for these ridiculously cute costumes on Etsy. I think it was money well spent for the four hours of total wear, but Daddy would likely think differently if I ever shared how much I shelled out. To top off the cuteness, our neighbors went as Buzz and Little Bo Peep.  Our neighbor’s mommy is very patient and hand sewed Little Bo Peep’s costume. To say I was impressed is an understatement.

 

Next year, I’m praying Mila doesn’t remember her little song and sticks to just plain old “Halloween.” Daddy’s praying for cheaper costumes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

4.

Dear Tyson,

 

Happy 4^th birthday, buddy.

 

 

I know this is the part where I’m supposed to write about how I can’t believe you are 4 already….but, honestly? 4 isn’t shocking me. Surprisingly, I'm handling your 4th birthday with ease. I haven't stockpiled the Kleenexes or hidden in the bathroom to shed a tear once. I’ve maintained almost all of my dignity. Your Daddy is so proud of me. 

 

 

 For the record, yes, there are still times when you ask me to sing you a lullaby to help you fall asleep that I find myself flashing back to the way it felt to rock you to sleep at 4 weeks old. And, sure, there are still minutes when I am certain that it was just yesterday  you were in my arms instead of pulling at my hand as we walk across the parking lot. And, honestly, every once and awhile, I swear I can smell your sweet newborn baby scent through the little boy sweat that is starting to sneak it’s place into our home. But most of the time? Most of the time I am just caught as up in you and the amazing little boy you are becoming. Turns out I like having a little boy just as much as I liked having a baby boy. I wish I could go back to pregnant me and let her know that.  Luckily, I can return the stock pile of bricks I was secretly hoarding in the basement and planning on  using to keep you small. 

 

 

 

3 was fun. It was crazy and busy and dramatic and hard. Really hard. You are, I'm aware, relatively easy in comparison to other 3 year olds, but still, 3, was hard. I remember reading that 3 would be difficult because kids start to have awareness of self and the ability to determine, as an individual, who they are and will be.  You did all of that and more this year, baby. It was rough, but you’ve shaped into a pretty cool little kid.

 

 

 

You are smart and determined-almost to a fault. You are a perfectionist-even when playing Yahtzee the dice have to be lined just so. You are sweet and caring-always worried about how to make your friends and family happy. You are an amazing older brother to Mimi.  You are a rule-follower and a tattle-tale. You are empathetic-the first to come give me a hug if you happen to even think I might be sad. You are smart and you know it. You have an amazing memory. You want to be just like your Daddy-you have to dress like him, eat like him, and talk like him. You love board games, art projects, and cooking with me. You love to swim, play baseball in the backyard, skate, and watch football with Daddy. You are funny, charming and enjoyable for adults to be around. You like pizza, corndogs and macaroni and cheese. And green beans. You are short tempered (which I'm hoping is just a 3 year old thing) and don't have much patience (which unfortunately, is probably a lifetime trait courtesy of me). You like to wear your boxers or PJs only around the house. You like to cuddle. Your teachers tell me you love to help in the classroom. You like to be the leader, but don't mind taking directions. You are clean and organized. You are generous, conscientious, and kind.

 

 

And, today, you are 4.

 

We're off to celebrate with dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, skating practice, and presents and cake at home! A magical birthday party to come this Saturday! 

 

 

Happy 4th Birthday, Buddy.

 

Thank you for giving me one of the best presents I've ever held four years ago today. 

 

 

Love,

 

Mommy