Sunday, October 09, 2016

Month 59 - Recap

My sweet boy,
You've been Lego-ing nonstop this month. You've built no fewer than 10 original police cars, police boats, and police planes. Your creativity is astounding.

Your preschool had their K4 Tea Party (it was actually a T Party, since you were learning about the letter T that week) a few weeks ago, and I'm just now beginning to recover from all the cuteness. I had heard about how fun it was from a friend whose older kids had all done it before but it wasn't until I experienced it with my own child, specifically my own boy, that I understood. It. Was. Precious.

For a few weeks before the party, your teachers worked with the class on manners, learning "I'm a Little Teapot", and practicing the polite way for young men to walk young ladies to their seats. Daddy wasn't able to come to your Tea Party so the night before the party, you showed him what you learned by leading Natalie to her seat. You held her hand and the two of you walked to the table. You pulled out her seat, she sat down, and you pushed her chair in. And you were none too quiet when you tried to push in the chair of someone who's three years older than you. You groaned, you heaved, you strained, you gave a gigantic WHEW! when you were done. All of us were laughing hysterically at this but we did have a little conversation afterward.

Me: Hey bud, please know you cannot make those noises when you push in the chair of the girl in your class. Girls rarely think it's funny when you make grunty noises when you push in their chair.
You: I know, Mommy! But Natalie just weighs SO much more than the girls in my class. It was really hard to push her in. I'm not that strong!
Me: Well of course you are. And also, don't comment on some girls weighing more or less than other girls. Girls rarely think that's funny either.
You: *sighs*

On the morning of the Tea Party you got dressed in a white button-down shirt, a blazer, a zipper tie (the best invention on the planet), khaki shorts, and slip-on shoes. (The last two items were because I can only push the fancy clothes thing so far with a four-year-old). You took one look at yourself in the mirror and said "I look like a businessman!" I agree. An impossibly adorable, incredibly precious businessman.

Your class was full of ties, hair gel, feather boas, flowers, hats, sparkles, lace, and jewelry. I loved it all.

You led a little girl to her seat without any problem and pushed her chair in with nary a sound. I was so proud. You used your manners while you ate and you kept your napkin in your lap. And then your internal stopwatch went off and you immediately wanted to stop with the Tea Party nonsense. You wanted nothing more than to change into your Batman shirt and favorite blue shorts. So we did (along with everyone else in your class). And the world was right.

I love that you participated in your Tea Party. I love that you know about manners (even if you don't use them all the time). I love that you hold doors open for ladies. I love that you're my boy. And I love that this is your last month before you become a whole hand years old. Say whaaaaa?

Hugs and smooches,
Mommy & Daddy

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
  • Hurricane Matthew Kills at Least 20 in US as North Carolina Faces 'Major Destruction'
  • Second Presidential Debate Promises Ugliness After Trump Tapes
  • Rapid Response Poll: 43 Percent of Americans Say Trump Should Withdraw from Race
  • Poll: Clinton Unpopularity at New High, on Par With Trump
  • 5 Killed in Wrong-Way Crash Were in High School
  • 'Warrior Dash' Climbing Obstacle Collapses; 4 Hospitalized
  • Celine Dion Celebrates 1,000th Show in Las Vegas

Sunday, October 02, 2016

September 2016 - Recap

My best girl,
I got to watch you be a really sweet friend this month and it filled my heart with such joy. It was during gymnastics class, and your coach had everyone carwheel across the length of the room. Most of the girls did just fine but there was one little girl in particular who was having a really tough time. Doing a cartwheel was really hard for her and watching almost everyone else in the class do them with ease was like pouring salt in the wound. The tears started falling and she just stood there, shoulders slumped, watching her classmates cartwheel by her. And then you got out of line, walked over to her and the coach (who was trying to encourage her by saying that everyone struggled with cartwheels when she first started out), and asked if you could help. I couldn't hear exactly what you said, but it looked like you suggested that you two do some cartwheels together, so she could get some extra practice. It was a simple act of kindness, but a simple act that showed so much character and so much kindness that I had to restrain myself from jumping out of my seat, running out onto the floor, and scooping you up into a giant hug. But then I remembered I had to be cool (not for my sake, but for yours) and I remained seated.

September is my birthday month. And birthdays were never as much fun as they have been since you were born. You'll have none of that 'adults sometimes forgo the whole cake and decorations and surprises thing for birthdays' nonsense and your sweet self insists that our birthdays are chock full of cakes, decorations, and oodles of surprises. My birthday started out with an early morning hug from my best girl and a beautiful homemade card (have I mentioned in the last five minutes that you love drawing?).

You also wrote me the sweetest, most precious poem ever.

This is the perfect evidence of God's existence right here. In His infinite grace and mercy, He's allowed you, my darling treasure, to focus on and remember a few good glimpses of my character instead allowing you to focus on and remember so many of my faults and failings. I feel like I mess up so much but this poem truly helped me breathe in God's grace and appreciate so deeply how you see me. Three cheers for grace, hip hip hooray!!!

Hugs and smooches,
Mommy & Daddy

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Headlines for October 1, 2016:
  • Trump says Clinton 'should be in prison,' questions her health and loyalty to Bill
  • Clinton Trounces in Debate Reactions; Trump's Unfavorability Edges Up
  • NJ Transit Was Under Federal Audit Before Train Crash
  • Caribbean Prepares to Be Slammed by Hurricane Matthew
  • 23 Giant Panda Cubs Make Their Debut in China
  • U.S. Adds Bees to Endangered Species List for First Time
  • Alec Baldwin Debuts His Trump Impression on 'SNL' Premiere