Month Forty-One

Dear Emery, Parker and Isaac,

Last week you started your Sunbeams class in Primary on Sundays.  So far so good.  But per report, the three of you come as a package deal.  When one of you raised your hand and was called on to participate, all of you got up and walked to the front of the room, two waiting patiently while the third completed the activity, then, as a unit, you returned to your seats.  Apparently this went on the entire time:).


I wish that I had pictures... but you have really enjoyed "sledding" down the hill in a nearby park on cardboard.  I saved a few large boxes from Christmas and we spent the next Saturday morning laughing and giggling our way down the hill.  At least we have video...


Your favorite toys from this Christmas are the C.olorama game (you three want to play every.single.day!), Original C.olorforms, crafts and art sets, helicopters and car launcher (for the boys), and A.ngelina B.allerina and dot art kit (for Emery).  Next we have to break out a couple more games you got as presents.




Emery: You ADORE your ballet/tap class.  I watch you concentrating as you attempt to keep your leg straight while doing an arabesque, turning your knees out while doing a plie in second position, and as you try to spin the correct direction.  What a big girl you are!

Drama should be your middle name.  You no longer dramatically flail on the floor, but you will, during tantrums drop to the ground, head on the floor in fetal position and pout like a pro:).

I can get you to wear almost everything if I put "Princess" in front of it.  Princess dress.  Princess skirt.  Princess headband.  Princess shoes.  One thing it doesn't work on?  Jeans.  I am a lover of jeans.  And you, my daughter, are suddenly (starting on December 24th-- you informed me pants are for boys...) insisting on wearing skirts.  Every day.  At all costs.  I had to go shopping!

You have started calling your brothers "My boys".  "Where are my boys?", you will ask.  Or as we are leaving school, you will occasionally call to them, "Come on, my boys!".




Parker: Lately the measuring tape is your favorite toy.  You want to measure everything... and everyone.

When I tell you that you need to do something that you don't want to do your response is a prolonged and sing-song "Because..." as you proceed to "explain" to me why you desperately want to do the forbidden activity and should therefore be allowed to do so.  I can appreciate your tenacity... most of the time:).

During our excursion into cold weather over Christmas, you became unusually attached to your snow boots. Very unusually attached.  I had to clearly insist that they could not be worn to bed:).  And even after returning to the Land of Sun and Warmth, you wanted to wear the snow boots EVERYDAY.  Finally, one day when you were running errands with me, we wandered through a shoe department.  Lo and behold, you fell head over heels for a pair of C.ars themed shoes.  I bought them after extracting a promise from you that we would put the snow boots away until next year.  And you have worn your C.ars shoes every day since...

You give the best hugs!!!  Occasionally as I sing your favorite songs to you and rub your head at bedtime, you will suddenly turn towards me and with an enormous grin on your face, will throw your arms around my neck and land a big kiss.

Isaac: You love school.  Every night when as I am putting you to bed, I ask you what your favorite part of the day was.  90% of the time you will say "Miss Julia and Miss Riann" (your teachers)... sometimes even on days that you didn't go to school:).

You also love going to Primary on Sundays.  Yesterday I went to pull you out for a moment and your bottom lip stuck out as tears welled up in your eyes.  You kept pointing back towards Sharing Time.  "Go back!", you kept telling me:).

Your giggle is infectious and I love to make you laugh.  You are now doing a little Occupational Therapy to help with fine motor movement.  This last week you got to "make the fuzzy balls run".  It was your favorite thing!  Using a turkey baster, you blew the balls across the table, giggling like crazy every time you were successful.  You even had Miss Alicia laughing!

D.arth V.ader voices also make you laugh.  As does your D.arth V.ader shirt (although you don't actually understand who he is...).  Other things that you love include your new l.ite brite, "button art", and your absolute favorite things to eat... peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and pasta with cheese.






Clearly things are changing.  Our trip up to Grandma and Grandpa's was the smoothest yet.  You do well at restaurants (as long as we bring along enough distractions!), and love going to the museums, playing with cousins and doing projects.


I marvel at your independence... and that I can finally negotiate and reason (a little... sometimes...) with you.  Yes, each of you can throw an Olympic Size Tantrum when you feel it is called for, but I am happy to report that I do believe the worst is behind us:).   I love playing games with you, and I can see your little brains working as you look for an empty game space for your shape, or match two cards.   


You are becoming "big kids", and I am so very proud to watch you participate in classes and beam with pride when you master a new skill.  But skills are not always easy to master and there will be disappointments and stumbles along your way.  


Just remember you are loved.
Very, very much.


Love,
Mom