January 2014 - Recap

Well, you first month as a five-year-old has gone and we've all survived. Which is impressive seeing as how you had the flu and pink eye between Christmas and your birthday. You were still pretty puny on your birthday, which was actually helpful, since I was fighting an upper respiratory infection at the same time and wasn't feeling all party plan-y.

I did, however, try the same spiel I did when you turned four: that five-(or four-)year-olds weren't allowed to whine. That it was illegal. You bought that nonsense for about two weeks when you were four. It lasted just as long (short) when you turned five. Those were a pretty sweet two weeks though.

You are Charlie are fully in 'Look at Me! Nooooo! Look at MEEEEEEE!' mode. If Daddy or I are talking to one of you, the other one acts a fool and tries to get our attention in any way possible. 'Any way possible' usually involves some combination of singing, dancing, jumping up and down, putting your face right in front of ours, yelling, whining, or crying. It's oh-so charming.

You had your kindergarten shots a few days ago. Back in August, when I was getting together all of your paperwork needed for you to go to VPK, I casually mentioned that you had to get shots in February. You immediatly started worrying, almost to the point of tears, that in FIVE MONTHS, you'd have to get a shot. I distinctly remember saying "Oh gosh, that's five whole months away. It's nothing to worry about now!" Well, it seems like those five months went by in the blink of an eye, because before I knew it, it was time. I hate to admit it, but I was wellllllll into my 20s before the thought of a needle didn't bring on an onslaught of tears. My TWENTIES. I cried at the dentist in my TWENTIES. So I totally get why you were worried. I tried to sweeten the deal by promising we would go anywhere you wanted afterward for a post-shot treat. That seemed to cheer you up, and you were fairly upbeat during the entire appointment. I have to say, I was FLOORED by how well you handled everything. You didn't cry a bit when the nurse pricked your finger to check your blood, and you only cried about four tears when you got your shots. And when the nurse gave you a Doc McStuffins 'Checkup Checklist', complete with stethoscope stickers, you were the happiest kid ever. And I made good on my promise - because you got two shots, you got two doughnuts (excellent choice of a treat, by the way) from the amazing doughnut/frozen yogurt place in town. Charlie and I also rewarded ourselves with two doughnuts, too, in case you were wondering. We suffer together; we rejoice together. And that was some mighty tasty rejoicing.

You continue to write sweet notes and color sweet picture (you call the combination of the two 'notey pictures'). Your latest notey picture says the following:

Dear God Thank
You For Giving
You One And Only
Son Jesus And
Thank You For
Diying on The
Cross

I cannot beGIN to tell you how precious this is. I love that you know about God, and how God sent His Son to die for us. Your enviable innocence and childlike faith is a treasure, and I promise you I'll do my best to always point you (and myself, for that matter) to Him. [And I love, love, love that you put 'diying'. Do It Yourself-ers for the win!]

Hugs and smooches,
Mommy & Daddy

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Headlines for February 1, 2014:

• Christie going on offensive about Bridgegate accusation  
• School Lunch Lady Had Hit List, Police Say
• Daily Double Hunter: Contestant's 'Jeopardy!' strategy riles viewers
• How the World Has Changed in the 10 Years Since Facebook
• Common Core's high costs have states rethinking federal program