Love and light for our beautiful dog Spoons

Dear Miss Spoonsie Bear,

It's been over a month since we said goodbye, but the heartache behind your passing is still raw. It's amazing how quiet and empty the house feels without you here, ironic for a dog that never barked in the first place. I miss having you follow me around like my personal magnet and sneaking a snuggle with your soft fur every chance I get. Despite the cleanings, your hair is still everywhere and I'm sure will remain on our clothing and in our corners until the end of time :).

Your presence at work is also noticeably missed, as your bed remains in the corner of my office, used by Cannoli occasionally but he doesn't like it as much as you... I really need to find a place to store it. The ladies still talk about you and how awesome you were and I still get weepy on the way home without my roadgirl smiling in the rearview mirror.

As for the kids? Oh man it's been rough, especially, surprisingly moreso the the little lobster roll. She is obsessing over heaven and what you are doing up there, just last night she said "I bet Spoons is having so much fun up in heaven playing with the other dogs". I hope she's right, girl. It's amazing how kids have their philosophies- just a few days after you passed, her bff K said in the car on the way to dance "look at that cloud. Yoda (her dog who passed two years ago) is giving Spoons a tour". And the girls talked excitedly about all you'd do together while I tried to keep from welling up.

Gobbles on the other hand has taken things much more quietly. Just when I think things are ok, he'll randomly blurt out how much he misses you and wished he could have you back for just one day. He speaks for all of us miss Bear, we all would love you for just a little more time.

Cannoli seems to be taking it worst of all, moping around the house, lonely, clingy, and sad. We're thinking about getting him another friend soon so that he perks up, but no one could ever replace you.

I'm so happy to think we got an extra 6 months with you to enjoy our bucket list summer, a summer we'll never forget. The kids were so lucky to experience so many things with you that we'll all always cherish. You went to a bark-b-q, on a hayride, to a tball game (or two), to the beach in summer, to a brewery, to work with me (a lot), on long walks, on hikes, in creeks (reluctantly). You marched proudly in a 4th of July parade all patriotic'd out, facetimed with us, caught that ever elusive baby bunny (to add to your list that consisted of a groundhog and flies before), walked Gobbles to the bus stop, and watched fireworks. Daddy made you your very own filet mignon and boy did you love that!

Towards the end, we gave you more snuggles and love that most dogs receive in a lifetime. On your last night here, the kids camped out with air mattresses next to your bed and fell asleep with you by their sides. The day we had to take you in they gave you hugs and kisses and pets and love, not realizing it was the last time they'd see you. Daddy and I drove you to the vet and I sat in the backseat with you, windows open while you enjoyed the rush of the wind. You pranced into the vet with such strength and confidence that I thought maybe we'd been premature. Sadly, just a few minutes after that ray of hope, the vet confirmed what we'd been fearing, that it was time. Although we knew it all along the floodgates opened and Daddy and I held each other tight as we hugged you and stroked your soft fur for the last time. You held my gaze with those big brown eyes until your very last moment, looking at me to please and love and just be that comforting presence that you have always been.

After hearing the news of your passing the kids cried for hours, not quite understanding how you could be here one moment, gone the next. Daddy and I cried too, knowing just what we'd be missing. A faithful girl who has been by our sides through the ups and downs for almost a decade of our lives. Especially in the past year, with all our family has been through, you've been that steady source of comfort there for a good cry, hug, or snuggle.

I feel like our lives will have this marked point in time, where our memories will be distinctly separated into two periods- with Spoons and without. Obviously this will fade as time marches on as we grow and change as a family, with the Lobster being only 4 I don't know how much she'll hold on to in the future. But I know for Gobbles, I've already seen a change, another layer of skin plus another component of sensitivity. For me, it's a period that will always be with my heart, our time with the Spoonsie Bear, the best dog ever.

I love you and miss you forever Spoons.

Love,
Mommy

To the Big Elementary School Guy

This was written last week during one of my insomnia nights worrying about my

Dear Gobbles,

We are less than a week before first grade begins and I'm alternating between excitement and tears at the thought of you growing up and hitting the school on your own. Kindergarten was a nice transition in that I didn't see your teacher every day anyway since you took the van, but I still got my Friday face time with her just to see how you were. But this will be so much different, this is the big time.

Your kindergarten graduation was so emotional for me, I think because we've spent 6 years with some of these families, our village, and we've all helped each other through crazy times. I'm lucky that some will stick around at least through your sister leaving pre-k with the siblings, but at the same time so sad that the relationships will change from daily interactions.

You, however, rocked your Kindergarten year and the graduation. You learned to read and went beyond in math. You stuck tight with your buddies but even branched out to some new friends, and came out of school with a confidence that only 5th year seniors have. You've done your summer reading, but for that pesky paragraph you have to write, probably more mommy's procrastination than yours. Even your reading comprehension is coming along- we're halfway through the 2nd Harry Potter book and each time we pick it back up you are able to recall the pertinent details of the previous chapter. You also try to make predictions on what's going to happen and explain why. Since we know the spoilers Daddy and I just let you go with your theories until they're revealed in the reading.

This summer I've seen your transition from a little boy into a big boy. You help out with your chores (although sometimes begrudgingly), you fly across the monkey bars with the ease of a ninja, and you have free reign at the pool to swim, dive, tread, do anything you want and I am confident that you are totally fine. You keep reminding you that one time I mentioned you should get an allowance when you start first grade.  You've started watching Big Brother with me and actually pay attention to what is going on and who is "on the block" (I'm so sorry for dragging you into the dark side of reality t.v.). And speaking of the dark side, you're not phased by and of the horrors in and Star Wars, actually cheer when Kylo Ren kills Han Solo (should I be worried?), and for the 2nd Halloween in a row want to be a bad guy with a lightsaber.

Last weekend, we were at the beach, and the third and final day the water was particularly calm yer frigid. After I declared myself spent in the water (it literally took my breath away it was so cold), you said, "that's fine mom, I can float by myself". And you took your boogie board and did just that. I sat in my chair about a hundred yards from the waters edge and watched, half proud, half petrified. Not soon after, you were joined by a girl who introduced herself the day before (9 years old!) and spend the morning riding waves with her. When I finally came to get you out of the water there was another little boy who you'd made friends with too chatting you up the whole way up the beach. We got home that night and Daddy asked how the beach was (he'd been home with the dogs), and your sister in a sing-songy voice started talking about your girrrrlllfriend. I've never see you so embarrassed. It seems that was a little tidbit you wanted to keep to yourself. I can't believe you are already at an age that you don't want to tell us everything!

Well buddy, you're starting a new phase in your life, and at times it may not be as easy as school has been. I'm not concerned at all about you academically, I know you'll do great if you just keep working hard and not rush through everything- you're very smart, but you have to pay attention to what you're doing. The friendships you've had for so many years may change, and the way you interact with each other in a real school environment will be different. It's the big time now, and you're back to being one of the little guys. Just be confident in yourself and don't take to heart what anyone says. I know I know easier said than done.

I'm so proud of you, I'm a little anxious for you, I'm sad that you're growing up, I'm eager for you to learn, and most of all I'm excited for your new adventure! I love you so much Gobbles!

Love,
Mom

P.S.  Well we survived our first day yesterday, and I have to admit, although you've been in school for 6 years now, I spent more time wondering what you were up to yesterday than I did the whole time you were at daycare.  I don't know why, because you did incredibly.  You had your boys with you and you branched out and introduced yourself.  You inserted yourself into a conversation to defend someone, and you loved music class and recess.  I can't wait to go to back to school night and find out what everything is all about.  Thanks for being a good kid, buddy!

Of Late

We're in an interesting place right now, this little family of ours.  Digging ourselves out of a really rough winter, but still living day to day in this strange sort of limbo.

I can't seem to get pregnant again, and it's very frustrating.  I've even resorted to joining a "biggest loser" competition among neighbors in an effort to lose the previous "baby weight" and make myself healthier all in hopes of regaining everything I lost slow and steady over a joyous 9 month course.  It lasted 40 days and ended this past Friday.  I lost a legitimate 18 lbs in the first 5 weeks and an additional 7 of water with a fine regiment of dehydration and sweatsuit exercise yielding me a 2nd place finish (out of 32, mostly men) of 13.42% loss.  I've celebrated by reconsuming junk food and re-attaining all of the water weight over just 3 days.  It was fun while it lasted though, giving me something else to hyperfocus on and compete.  I'm hoping to keep on the loss train for awhile but of course I have to stop with the celebratory sugar first.

Hubs has been at his job for six months now, but it feels like an eternity.  The new normal is half the time he is not home for dinner or bedtime at all, and the other half I'm taking all of my stress out on him because I'm the bad cop every weekday night screaming about homework and nightly reading that needs done.  Hopefully summer brings an easier routine.

Worst of all, our beloved Spoonsie bear has cancer, and though the multiple vacations' worth of money we've spent on her treatment has made every extra day we get with her worth it, the dread of losing her tomorrow or 6 months from now has become a permanent fixture in the back of our heads.  We're working on loving her a little extra every day and making sure the kids are getting all the snuggles in the can with her.  Praying she is healthy enough to come on a little doggie vacation we have planned for June.

The kids.  They've been taking all of this in stride.  They talk about Spoons "going to Heaven soon" in a matter-of-fact way since they've had to deal with losing both the baby in my belly and their great grandmother in short history.  As the same time Gobbles looks at her with such love that I know his life will never be the same once she is gone.  They lament about how they miss their daddy when he is at work or they miss me when I'm traveling, but every night when we do our thankfuls the Lobster gushes how she is thankful that she has the best family ever and our hearts are restored before calling it a day.  They are growing up so quickly.

Gobbles is almost finished Kindergarten, still loving Star Wars with every fiber of his being, and still hanging out with his best buddies.  He's become a little ninja warrior climbing on everything, trees, poles, monkey bars, ANYTHING that is up high that he can get his hands on.  The kid's upper body strength is amazing and the fear and caution he once showed when he was little is long gone.  He's reading now too, like word by word plodding through books.  Not on his own doing, as he is not exactly enthusiastic about it, but he does what he is assigned.  Math; however, is quite the opposite.  He does not have to be pushed or prodded at all.  In fact, it's quite the opposite - "Mom, can you give me some hard math problems while you're cooking please?  just shout them out and I'll figure them out."  Last week he was quite proud of himself for constructing the best sphere out of legos and winning the teacher's dollar prize.   He's been through tennis in the fall, soccer in the winter, and is now onto Tball in the spring, loving each of them.  We got the swimming crash lessons wrapped up last week with both kids getting excellent progress reports and cleared to move up a step to intermediate swimmer and advanced beginner.  Since we just don't have the kind of time as a dual working family to put Gobbles on the swim team, that was probably the last of his lessons for now and the future, as he now knows how to swim freestyle properly.

The Lobster, my girl, she's navigating the world of pre-K, having moved up in February after turning four.  She's in a different place than her brother was when he moved up, with her two best buds in class being boys, waiting for her bffs to turn and move up.  Her very close girl, V, the one she's been partners in crime with day in and out, recently moved away and the Lobster is not taking it very well.  The other girls in the class are all five and on their way to high school, with a cool exclusiveness that didn't seem to exist before.  I'm hoping the Lobster lets it roll off of her until the sweeter girls move up, although from the phone call I got today- biting a friend who tried to mess with her man- I think we have a long way to go.  Academically, the Lobster is where we expect, though without the need to show it off like her brother.  She'll randomly come out with correct math facts or memory recall that surprises us.  This kid is definitely underestimated and I know she'll surprise us more in the future.  She's currently obsessed with her own fashion style, earrings, chapstick, and headbands, and is working hard for her first dance recital.  When she's not being the girliest of girls she's kicking butt on the soccer field or farting and blaming Daddy, all while pissing herself with laughter.

In the past few weeks (besides the monotany of running around and sports and birthday parties galore- they still haven't slowed these social butterfly kids!), we've gotten to have some good family time.  For Mothers' Day the kids (with just a little bit of hubs' help, just a little he insists) made me a gorgeous flower planter to adorn the corner of the sunporch opposite last years' herb garden.  Gobbles was so proud and was bursting by the time they got the chance to show it with me.  The Lobster had been making "happy Mothers Day" cards for weeks leading up to the day.  Hubs made my family and I dinner that coincided nicely with the aforementioned weight loss challenge.  It was just one of those very good days.

The week after, we went to Star Wars Day at the Brandywine Zoo, where the kids had a blast meeting all of the characters and checking out the small selection of animals they had.  The Lobster's favorite part was the Rodent of Unusual Size (seriously!) that pooped in its own little pool then swam in it Mommy, so gross, remember that?  I overheard Gobbles telling her girlfriend on the way to swimming And, at the end when they were taking pictures, a stormer trooper married his girlfriend!  Close, we saw someone from the acting troop propose to one of the handlers.  It was cute and the Lobster was completely smitten.  I also thought it was funny that Gobbles, of all the things he saw that day, chose that moment to share with his girlfriend whom, he later told me in all seriousness and secrecy, that he really does have a crush on, even despite her mom and I forcing them to hang out for years and making grand plans for their wedding!.

It's been a spring of ups and downs for us, but we're hanging in there just trying to nab what each day throws at us.  In the next few weeks we have sports makeups (did I mention it's rained almost every Saturday since March), graduations, pool kick off, summer camp, more birthday parties, and a special family vacation as a bucket list trip for our girl Spoons.  We're looking forward to this, our first official trip that is just our little family, and we are thrilled about it.

Some video highlights of the last few months...

FOUR!

Dear Little Lobster Roll,

Wow.  I never imagined you at four. I guess I just thought you'd be my little baby girl forever.  You are so grown up and such a character that I have a hard time keeping up.  First, I can never promise you anything because you have the memory of an elephant.  You will bring up something I said in passing months before and hold me to it, or even more so you will point out some way a friend at school wronged you "yesterday" (last year) and use it as an excuse for a way you acted today.  Song lyrics, books, tv shows, you can recount back to me the plot after just one time.

You say you're going to be an engineer (because you want to come to work with ME all the time), but I don't think so.  You will likely be one of four things.  First, an attorney, a trial lawyer to be exact.  Because you argue up and down and use big words like "ridiculous" and have that crazy photographic memory.  Second, I can also see you in sales / marketing of some sort.  You are the opposite of shy and have a habit of sidling up to any adult you see and telling them your deepest darkest secrets, getting them to trust you. And you are an amazing liar.  I have to drag it out of you 3 or 4 times before I get the truth because your cover story and deadpan face is just that good.  So that trait could contribute to either of those potential careers.

There is a whole other side of you though, that leads me to think you could be a nurse/doctor/veterinarian or an actress.  You have such a caring way about you when you attend to your puppies, your dolls, and the affection you show to me (well lets face it everyone) is nothing but love.  You exude personality and are always coming up with something crazy that you just love and are so passionate about that you want to implement it into every aspect of your life- your artwork, pretend play, and stories.  Currently, Powerpuff Girls, My Little Pony Equestria Girls, Paw Patrol, Barbies, and of course the Disney Princesses (namely Jasmine) take the lead in all of your fun.  Let's not forget JEM, of course, whom after you themed your birthday party.  Though hesitant at first, you loved getting up and singing on the stage and totally got into the songs you knew well.  Every morning when there's a spare minute before school you and your brother are in the living room pounding away on the piano or fighting over the harmonica or karaoke machine.

Just this week you moved up to the Pre-K room at school, your very last transition ever, and I can barely contain myself.  Less than a year and a half and you'll be in kindergarten!  Having gotten stellar marks on your preschool progress report (including helping others and inclusiveness, which I LOVE to see), you were finally a bit challenged in your first day.  Even socially, it took some adjusting as you hovered around the classroom "queen bees" and decided you have your bff but the others you don't have time for because they say mean things to others like "stupid".  I'm proud of you for standing up to them and not allowing yourself to be intimidated, even being the youngest in the class.

We had your birthday party a week late because I was away for work on your real birthday weekend, but it was worth the wait.  You wanted a JEM themed party with singing and dancing on stage so we had it at a local performing arts company.  It was a bit awkward at first, as karaoke always is, but you and your friends got really into it and it was amazing and hilarious to watch.  You have such a spunky personality and a passion when you sing (even if you are a bit tone deaf just like me) that it entertains and enthuses everyone around.  All of your friends and their parents talked about your party with smiles on their faces, a great time had by all.  And when you're older and you're at a karaoke bar at 1:30 in the morning, with half of your friends wanting to leave for pizza, some wanting to keep singing, and a handful falling asleep, you'll understand just why you guys were so entertaining.  We love it!

Finally, my mommy guilt got to me for being away for your birthday and I made you a big promise which I delivered on just this past weekend.  We got your ears pierced.  You spend the entire week leading up to it talking to everyone about how excited you were and when Friday finally came you were ready.  You went to dance class even though you asked if we could skip it because you were so eager to get your ears done.  After dance you rushed me out, nervously talking about how if it would hurt that's ok because it's just a pinch.  When we got to the kiosk in the mall you spend a long time selecting the perfect pair of earrings to remain in your ears for 6-8 weeks.  I tried to guide you to some simple studs but you finally came to rest on a pair of gold princess crowns that had just enough sparkle in them.  We selected two other pairs to have after you could change them and gave everything to the lady to ring up.  You climbed up into the chair, excited but anxious and looked at the bowl of lollipops on the counter, reaching for one like you owned the joint.  When the ladies told you to go ahead you popped it in your mouth and didn't notice them approach with the guns.  They marked your ears with the markers and you proclaimed it didn't hurt at all.  We laughed and got right to the piercing.  For about 15 seconds you said "owie owiee owieeeee" then asked for the pretzel I promised you.  I proclaimed how beautiful you looked and told you about how brave you were since I'd cried when I got mine done when I was 5, and you included that little tidbit forever after in your response to people asking if it hurt when you got them done.  I love it how you were so proud that you didn't cry, my toughie.

Well munch, I think I've covered it all.  You are a big girl now, 4 years old.  Maybe you'll stop sucking your thumb like you've been promising for a year now? It's ok if you don't though, you know I'll always love you no matter what.  And I know, that no matter what you say to me during your little moments of angst (which I can't believe happen at this age already!), I'll just keep replaying your sweet little voice in my head I'm thankful for my family! I have the best family ever.  Best Mommy ever, best Daddy ever, best brother EVER.  Don't forget, YOU are the best too Lobster.  We love you more than you'll ever know.

Love,
Mommy

My favorite meal - mussels!

I get into the part when I play sleeping beauty

Creativity center... making markers!

Getting Blessings and God from my best girl!

Loving nights in with mommy and my brother. 

Yes.  That cake is made of krimpets and chocolate cupcakes. Gee, thanks mom. 

I LOVE jewelry making!

My Jasmine outfit is the BEST

What I chose to wear to school on the day we celebrated my birthday

My Aunt is the BEST for taking me all day on my birthday!

I love being at grandmom's too!

And i'm really not to shabby of an artist either... Powerpuff girls!

So excited for my JEM party

JEM is outrageous!

I'm really into it.

Happy Birthday to ME!

All my pals

These speak for themselves.  I may have started off timid, but I rocked it ;) 

Oddly enough, this turned out to be my favorite present, even though I have like 5,000 tents...

Dressing my girl up!

I love coming to mommy's work because I get my nails did...

And i run the machines...

And i make important crafts!

This one is BEAUTIFUL!

and I AM BEAUTIFUL, don't you think?!

Pretty princess crowns are just perfect for me...

One step forward, two steps back

I wrote the below a week ago when I was on a 6+ hour long plane ride and not in a good place.  The conference I went to was distracting enough that I'd forgotten about it until today.  On the plane ride home I was even hopeful and positive at the thought of trying again, thyroid issues be damned.  Then I found out about the Zika virus.  It's not in the Bahamas yet, but not worth the risk of possibly trying again before that.  Or within 30 days of coming home.  Seriously, fuck it all. Now I'm back in my rut with my thyroid still stalling - 3 weeks worth of diet and exercise has yielded an almighty 1 lb loss.  So if you're keeping track that's still 9 lbs up since the D&E.  So for the spring I can look forward to wearing maternity clothes for the sole reason that nothing else fits, as I reiterate, fuck it all.

At least today I'm more on the agitated side than the sobbing side like seen here:

This is my 2nd time flying to SFO. The first was March of 2009 when I was pregnant with Gobbles.  No one knew it yet and I was giddy with excitement and my secret, but also a little scared having gone through a miscarriage a few months before.

Today it's the opposite- I should be 17 weeks pregnant but instead I'm looking out the window over the mountains letting the tears flow silently then recomposing myself before anyone has the chance to see. My book isn't distracting enough so I'm listening to my music and playing minesweeper on my phone trying to numb my brain for the 6 hour flight.  As the lyrics roll into my ears my head is filled with more.  The pain, the sting, the fucking platitudes I've been hearing for 5 weeks now. 

"It wasn't meant to be" - tell me something I don't know
"Be thankful for the children you have" - please don't imply that I'm not grateful for them have just because I'm grieving the on I lost!
"At least you know you can get pregnant" -um yea, and I know how easily the pregnancy can be over too.
"Let me know if you need anything" - don't put it on me to ask for help when it's quite obvious.  

People who really wanted to help have, even more than I needed.  with casseroles and cakes and flowers. Texts telling me they're thinking of me and calls begging me to take my kids so that I get some "me" time.  There is a woman who works in the office across the hall who has been checking in on me and being a sounding board.  Telling me I'm strong and though I will get through it's ok to take all the time I need. 

I kept telling myself that I'll enjoy this trip a lot better since I can do all the Napa wine tasting but I changed my mind. Nope. I trade that and the recently booked girls' weekend in the Bahamas (an all inclusive form of self medication) to have that baby back in my belly right now.  

Yesterday when I picked up the kids they handed me a pile of artwork like they always do.  The Lobster specified one paper plate and said "this mask is for the baby when we get another one".  It took all I had to not break down in the middle of the discovery room as I gently reminded her that yes we miss the baby and hopefully, someday, another one will come into my belly.

I don't really know where to go with this post, I do feel better getting words out on paper.  Not enough to tide me over until my "thyroiditis" is fixed and we can start trying again, but enough that when I get off the plane I won't look like I've been crying.

Out.

6 YEARS!

I started writing this entry a few weeks ago.  I wasn't too wrapped up in the emotion of my boy getting older because I was so wrapped up in other issues as I last posted.  But now that I'm finally giving this a title and all I'm starting to well up.  I remember writing his 6 month letter and it seems like yesterday.  And now we're 1/3 of the way to 18.  PLEASE slow down, time.

Dear Gobbles,

Your 6th birthday came this year amid a flutter of chaos in our house but still you handled it with the grace and maturity of a much older kid.   As always, I am incredibly thankful for that.  Buddy, you seem so grown up right now, only in kindergarten but already my little helper with chores and your sister and just an all around good guy.  When we get home from school you hop out and get the mail, let the dogs out, bring them back in and wipe their paws, feed them, and start your homework.  Sure, you put up a bit of a fight with the homework but I get it, you don't get home til after 6 and you're hungry and tire and it's the last thing you want to do when there's tv to watch and you just want to unwind.  But you're good at it, you breeze through it and I'll just give it a quick check and you're on your way.   Like me, you spend more time fighting over doing it than you spend actually doing it!

School is going well for you, academically I have no worries as you're already interested in math up to multiplication and you're reading all the books school sends home.  The fall has been a bit touch and go with your friends.  You have two bffs you've had since you started in the infant room and I think the rule of 3 is coming in when you guys are deciding what to what to play at recess.  Batman vs Star Wars (you fighting for the latter) between two stubborn kids and the tiebreaker.  You've branched out though and I've heard you talk about other kids you've become friends with.  You also have your girlfriend D who you know I love and your sister is bffs with her sis (and her mom and I get along famously).  You are always so sweet with her, holding her hand and sharing your stuff, even holding doors with her. I love it.  

And speaking of sweet, you have the biggest heart of any 6 year old I know, always drawing pictures for me or making extra airplanes for your sister.  I am so incredibly proud of you for what you decided to do for your birthday party this year.  We found out you could have parties at the local SPCA, so we asked you and of course you jumped all over the idea of having dogs and cats at your party.  I gave you an option of getting presents from your friends like normal or requesting donations (presents for the dogs and cats) instead.  You didn't even hesitate when you said Mommy, the dogs don't even have homes, we need to bring them presents.   Your intentions were so sweet and my heart is still swollen with pride.  Your party ended up being a big success, with other kids loving the animals just as you do.  Despite the offer though, no one went home with any live party favors!

Finally, since I missed the entire fall a few updates on you.
-Your favorite color has shifted from yellow to red because you are a jr sith lord who was emperor palpatine on Halloween and Darth Vader and now Kilo Ren are your heroes.  We saw Star Wars a few days ago and you sat agape the entire show, enthralled for over two hours.  You still have an immense interest in science and planets and all that fun and seem to understand the big picture when we explain things like season change and even day and night.
-You got your report card and of the nearly 90 ranked kindergarten assessments you received 3/3 on all but 3 of them.  You know you're a smart kid but please, always remember to work hard and not give up.
-You've currently changed your career choice from engineer to dog rescuer.  You don't care that Daddy and I told you that wasn't really a "career", because that's what you're going to do.  Yes, you have gotten a bit more argumentative in your old age but if you didn't I'd start to wonder where you came from.
-You already eat like a teenager in terms of quantity and love fruit.  Your palate has recently expanded from just ordering pizza or mac n cheese at restaurants to burgers and more.  You haven't stopped talking about the chicken parm I made for you and you even ate loads of clams Daddy made on New Years Eve.  Keep it up, always be open to new things because you never know what you'll like.
-You may or may not become the next american ninja warrior.  You can climb trees and monkey bars with ease and can maneuver yourself on top of them in ways that I even can't.  Just please be careful up there buddy.

Well my favorite time of the day is almost here - when I pick you guys up from school and you greet me with the best hug and Hi Mommy! in the world, usually followed by Look at this ___ I made today!

I love you more than you'll ever know! (and yes, as you told me when I said this on your birthday Mo-om, you ALWAYS write that....)

Love,
Mommy

You made star wars puppets during after-care one day.  You made your sister
put on a puppet show with you and it was awesome. 

You loved this horse so much you asked if we could get one. 

Yup, that's an adult order. No problem for you. 

A boy and his best friends. 

You do still go back to your old faithfuls.. Make your own pizza? Every. Time. 

Just a leisurely ride through the neighborhood. 

this is you (in the blue) after I told you to NOT go as high.  To me
this is still too high!

A sick day at my work, you made no complaints about doing some math too...

You prefer apple pie (or cookies) to cake...

She loves you so much.  

One of the many things to decorate your mini-adult room.  Others include more posters,
a lightsaber lamp, star wars decals, and a full size bed complete with Star Wars comforter. 

Best birthday party ever.  As you've been told!

A random weeknight with your girlfriend.

Your favorite Santa gift - the Force Push

I forgot to mention what a great helper you are with putting things together.
Here you are taking apart the daybed/crib to move out of your sisters room. 

Legos = awesome!

Day 2 of Christmas break at grandmom's house. yikes!

Day three of Christmas break at work with me.  That day you told one of my
coworkers how funny it was when Spoons jumped on you and it "tickled my wee wee..." yikes again!

Your new old favorite game, chess.

Finally! A seafood eater.  Yummy clams. 

Your New Years' Kiss at midnight!

I have a feeling this will get a lot of use this summer!