House - Phase Two

I have the most amazing memories in this living room.  From hours spent with family eating cheese and crackers on the floor. A thousand Christmas' with the room close to bursting with family, wrapping paper, and stocking presents.  Nights spent with high school friends drinking illegally while my grandparents were in Florida.  In my memory it has never changed.  It couldn't have always been those plaid couches with that stencil on the wall but it feels like it has.  Changing the kitchen was hard for me but this room was worse.  It was Nana's kitchen but this was where I spent most of my time.  The plaid couches aren't really my style but I wanted to preserve the feel of the room, the memories, the happiness. 

I changed the couches but they are still in the same spots.  Ikea really is amazing (and really the only thing I can afford!)  I have yet to replace the curtains.  After all the changes I have made I can't seem to decide on curtains.  Its weird.  But for the most part, I left this room alone.  I repainted.  I refinished the floors through the entire downstairs.  I replaced and put up moldings.  But for the most part I kept the layout the same.  With the piano, the fireplace, the gorgeous arboretum, and the family as the focus.  Can we talk about the rug for a minute?!  I got the floors redone. (AMAZING!!  An incredible oak pattern in the living room and cherry in the dining room.) And then I bought these rugs on Overstock.com.  Yes, overstock.  The first one was so beautiful and plush and just incredible that I ordered another one for the dining room, and a runner for up the stairs, and a different pattern for my bedroom.  Best purchase ever.  I kept the coffee table because I always loved it.  But it turns out that a Great Uncle made it for them.

One of the big changes that I decided to make (with the encouragement of Gammy) was to switch the dinning room and den.  Originally, in the Cape style house, the den was off to the back of the house, with the staircase going up the middle of the house it was kind of hidden.  The dinning room was the bright one with the gorgeous bay window off the kitchen. 

So, after a lot of help moving outlets, I switched them.  And got new carpet installed because there was no hardwood flooring in this room which kinda seemed appropriate for a den.  I also installed 3 ceiling fans mostly myself with Dads help throughout the house.  Go me. I have to say it is a choice that makes sense.  It gets the most sun in the morning.  Its directly off the kitchen, the rooms where Wyatt and I spend the most of our time.  It is also kind of removed from the stairs so I can watch a movie without worrying about waking Wyatt upstairs.   And, clearly, this is where we spent our first night's pouf party.

Lastly, downstairs, is the den.  Ahh the deer heads and the tiny couch.  My Grandpa spent a majority of his time here.  It was cozy, manly, always very dark.  The deer heads still creep me out.  I actually had to vacuum them at one time during this process.  It was terrifying.  They now live in the basement and they love it down there until they find another permanent home. (Ebay, anyone?) 

I tried to take the exact same pictures (although the before was with my phone and after with my Nikon) and I am pretty proud of myself when I see the side by side.  First, the chair rail.  This was the first one I have ever done by myself.  I say myself but it was with the help of my friend Jon.  I pretty much bossed him around and gasped when I thought he was cutting it wrong and I nailed it up.  It is beautiful.  And even though it is my least used room, I love it the most.  I think its classic and inviting and just big enough for a dinning room; comfortable but still cozy.

 Another dining room shot just to show off the floors.  Most of the downstairs is oak that I kept very light.  But the dining room turned out to be cherry.  The floor guys recommend that I stain it to try to keep it the same as the rest of the house.  I refused.  I made them leave it natural.   Throughout the house there is oak, cherry and pine. It tells the story of the house.  How my Great grandfather took the bits that he had and made it himself.  I love the history of it, let it be.  I love the rugs but I almost wish I got a smaller size in the living room just to show the floors off.

Finally I just wanted to show a picture from the kitchen into the den. I think it really shows how far along it has come.  Yes, a lot of it is painting.  The only thing I haven't painted yet is the stairway hallway. I've painted almost every wall, ceiling, molding, and radiator in the house. I picked out three colors for the majority of the house.  A blue, a green and a white.  My thought was to have all three color be seen in each room.  So the den has three blue walls and one green looking into the kitchen that has three white walls and one green.  It sounds chaotic.  Even to me.  But somehow it works.  From every person who has been here, they say how nice the flow is.  How homey everything is.  How it just feels comfortable, like you want to grab a drink from the fridge and stay a while.  Of course that is what you strive for but sometimes it doesn't quite get there.

PS. Don't you love that Wyatt is almost in the exact same spot in both pictures. Look closely.  He's a ham.

Upstairs coming up next...

Caught in a Downpour

Despite looking freezing here, he actually thought this was the coolest thing ever.  We were both dripping after running to the car during a flash flood deluge.  

64 Months

Goose,

So, you got the chickenpox this month.  How the hell you did is absolutely beyond me.  You got the vaccine a good year and a half ago.  No one gets the chickenpox anymore.  Hell, I didn't even notice at first.  Gammy noticed in the morning when she stopped by on her way to work.  "Hey Kate, have you seen these red spots?"  There were about 3 on your back.  Nope.  Bug bites?  And off to school you went!  Then you had a play date with Patrick and you had so much fun you both were wrestling on the floor when you hugged goodbye.  When I got you in the bath, your spots had multiplied and I got concerned enough to bring you to Dr Greg.  We had been working in the garden the day before.  Maybe you got something there?  After a longish visit with a magnifying glass, we got the oatmeal bath diagnosis.  It was a very mild case because of the vaccine.  But, who knew?  All the mothers at your school wanted to examine you in case their kids got it.  And yes, you loved the oatmeal and all the Wii playing.

You also had your kindergarten orientation.  You were pretty appalled that you had to go back to pre-school after your big trip to your new school.  You were acting all tough and grown up.  It was kind of hysterical.  You held my hand for about five minutes until you got your name tag and noticed our neighbor Gwen and your friend Gregor. There are 2 kids you will ride the bus with on our block, Gwen and Ryan.  You were a little concerned that on your test bus ride that you didn't get to ride with your neighbor friends. But I assured you that it wouldn't be the case for the rest of the year.  During your teacher conference, they told me how independent and well adjusted you are.  I believed them whole heartedly but this was extremely evident on orientation day.  It amazes me all the time how much you still need me and at how much you don't.  You can walk into any situation and feel comfortable in 5 minutes. But you still get "wonwely" at night and want to snuggle.  You stand on chairs and help yourself to things in our cabinets.  But you still want to kiss and hug me before we leave each other.  Its comforting that you still look to me for reassurance before you leap but it is also a little worrying and thrilling to know that one day soon, you're not going to look anymore.

You got to march in the Memorial Day parade with your baseball team.  Evidently, the rest of your team thought this was pretty lame because it was only you and William that showed up.  There were plenty of other kids but you were the only Diamondbacks.  We all got there early to make sure we had a good spot and screamed our heads off when you walked past.  It was adorable how the four of you were holding hands; Chris, William, you and Pa.  As soon as you saw us, you decided that you were done marching and wanted to watch the rest.  It was your big debut!  After years of begging to get out of the parade when marching with the band, it was refreshing seeing how exciting it can be for the first time.  Most of all seeing Pa's face.  He was so proud being the one marching next to you.

Dad finally made it home from his year long tour in Afghanistan.  You really didn't have much contact so I was curious to see how the whole thing was going to pan out.  When I first told you that Dad was in Texas you insisted he wasn't because you thought I was talking about Pa.  It took you a while to make the connection but once you did you got pretty excited.  You wanted to show Dad our new house and what you have been doing.  I think this whole coming and going has become a normalcy to you.  You enjoy spending time with Dad when he's here and don't ask for his when he's gone.  I sincerely hope that you have some great times together while he is home.

This might be something for an entire other blog post.  A dear friend of mine from college suddenly past away at the end of April.  You were with me the night I found out, and I think, saw me completely break down for the first rememberable moment in your life.  I broke down in hysterics and left the room.  You were so concerned and asked me several times that week if everything was ok.  I tried to explain the loss I was feeling without freaking you out.  It was hard.  Made harder that you were so concerned for me.  You couldn't understand why I was unmotivated and listless peppered with bouts of violently ripping out weeds from the garden.  "You know when you feel not so good and lazy sometimes?  I'm giving you a hug for that." I still am sad, sometimes, when I least expect it.  I'll catch myself just drifting off, lost in memories.  I know that loss is a part of life.  I just hope that I can be as comforting to you as you were to me.

I love you always and everyday my sweet boy.
Momma

Like Cousins Do

63 Months

Goose,

With Charlie

This month has been a flurry of activity.  I swear, all of a sudden, you have become way more popular then me.  Seriously.  My phone is filled with play dates and birthday parties.  You inform me when you get home from school who you are having play dates with.  You arrange them yourself!  I have become reliant on my phone in the morning to remind me of what is going on during the day.  I think you are averaging 3 play dates a week.  I also have taught you to dial my phone for "emergencies".  But you know, I was in the bathroom and you really needed some ice tea, so you just called Gammy.  Totally an emergency.  We probably need to go over what constitutes an emergency.  You ask how many nighttimes before your next play date and if there isn't one soon you demand me to call for someone to come over.  Plus baseball.  Ohhh, baseball.

And don't forget cousin William

I've never played baseball with you before.  I've never thrown a ball around in the backyard.  There are a lot of things I attempt to teach you on a daily basis but these things are not in my skill set.  So I recruited Pa to be your baseball coach.  (Recruited might be soft.  I think demanded is more like it.  Actually signed him up a little against his will knowing that he would come around.)  Pa came home with a mitt and helmet.  You actually have some skill, the only thing that limits you is your attention span.  You would much rather be playing on the playground or fooling around with the kid next to you or taking a water break.  But Pa.  Pa is an amazing coach.  He always has been.  Finally after teaching 3 girls teams for countless years, he gets his chance at baseball.  You got jealous during the first practice.  He is YOUR Pa.  YOUR Pa was not allowed to fool around with other kids.  YOUR Pa was not allowed to give encouragement to anyone else.  Pa didn't really understand why you were acting up until I explained it to him when we got home.  But you've been much better since I explained to you that you need to share Pa at practice but get him all to yourself when we get home.  It has been good with the move for you to know that you have two definite days that you get to play with Pa.

You throw fairly well.  Not much aim yet.  When you concentrate you can hit the baseball off the tee very well.  The key being if you concentrate.  If not you are spinning around like a ballerina.  Pa told you that he put a little man on top of the baseball and you had to knock him off.  You hit it to the outfield.  Pa was so proud.  I don't think I have ever seen you catch anything.  During the first game you hit the ball and ran all the bases.  Like right past the runner on second and third.  Ran through home and then went back to first with all the coaches yelling and all of us laugh/crying on the sidelines.  

We finally made it into our new house!  (After lots of stress on my part and mild complaining on your part.)  I wanted to make our first night extra special.  So I told you that we could sleep where ever you wanted.  You decided that you wanted to have a slumber party; watch movies (you don't like movies this actually meant that we watched DVR'd episodes of the Octonauts and Jake and the Neverland Pirates), eat popcorn, and sleep on the couch.  You insisted that I bring the "pouf" (aka ottoman) from the other room so we would both have one on the den couch together.  You called it "our pouf party".  Just when you were about to fall asleep on the couch you asked to go cuddle upstairs in my bed.  We played hookie that next day.  Which you have now asked several times to do again.  I made "scratch" pancakes shaped as a "W" which you think are the best breakfast ever.  I made so many that you asked me to call Gammy to eat with us.  Gammy was so shaken up by the 12 hours we spent without her (we had dinner with everyone the night before) that she was over in two seconds.

Sleeping angel on our first night

It was a good night.  We have had good nights.  You proclaimed the other day that "hey mom, I think I like this house."  Which I think is the most validation from you I will get.  I am so grateful for all of this.  This house.  This support.  This family.  But Wyatt, especially you.  At the end of the day, us being together makes this house a home.  It makes all of the hard work so worth it.  You make everything worth it.  I don't think I will ever get tired of watching you get the mail after school.  Or holding your hand as we walk up the stairs to bed.  Or watching you run in the street with the neighborhood kids.  Or seeing your face light up when you bring someone in your room.  Or eating together, just the two of us and listening about your day.  I am so thrilled to be making this move, in this home, with you.

I love you infinity.
Momma

Ready Positions!

Gammy's Ode

We spent the first night in our new home on April 10th.  (More on that later...)  I received this letter as an email from Gammy shortly after. I think it stands to reason that Wyatt made just as much of an impression on her, as she did on him.  Thankfully, we didn't move very far.

To Future Wyatt,

When you look back on your youth, you might not even remember that you lived with me and Pa for your first five years. I could tell you about all the lessons and values I attempted to instill in you along with your momma but instead let me tell you some of the lessons you taught me.

 1.  Love +++ There is no limit to love. You proved that to us all, at times we were busting with it and just when we thought 'That's it I can’t possibly love this child anymore' you would come out with yet another antic that would stretch the boundary a little further.

2. Anger +++ It’s impossible to be angry, sad, or mad when you have someone snuggled up in your lap.

3.  Family +++  At dinnertime you would look around the table and remember who was missing and were happiest when all the chairs were filled. Family means everything!

4. Creativity  +++ Legos are amazing. You taught me everything I know and helped me to become as obsessed as you are. We spent many happy and creative hours building, rebuilding and then modifying. 

5. Bravery +++ You taught me not to be afraid of General Grievous from Star Wars (I have to admit I am still a little intimidated trying to fight him with a light saber on the Wii.) You encourage me to try my best and it warms my heart when you say to me “Try to be brave Gammy!” I will try Wyatt and I feel I will always be bravest when you are with me.

6. Books +++  No matter if its past your bedtime,  there is always time to read a book. And when the light goes out we can still tell stories. Remember the one where your birthday party was in a spaceship and your presents were floating around because of the anti-gravity and you had to put on your gravity boots and jump around to catch your presents. Unforgettable moments that I was lucky enough to share with you.

I could go on but I think you know now how much these five years have meant to me. Thank you Kate and Wyatt for letting me share so closely in this amazing journey. I know this is not an ending just a new chapter and we will have many more happy moments ahead. You two have been a great joy and blessing to me and continue to be everyday. I love and adore you both.

With heartfelt love from your Gammy of the past.

Sista's

62 Months

Big Guy,

I have to admit, I have been a little absent this month.  Not really absent, I spend everyday with you.  But absent more then I usually am.  I have been plunking you in front of your wii so I could paint the house.  Or spending my Sunday after work at the house, while you played with Gammy and Pa.  Plus I have been going out a lot, knowing that once the move happens my social life is going to get more complicated.  Also understanding that you will need me more when it is just the two of us.  Its been stressful.  I've felt guiltily about leaving you so much in Gammy's capable hands whether its to do work on our home or its it grab a beer to decompress from working on our home.  But I really think it is going to be worth it in the end.

Birds of a feather...

We had an open offer to join my friend, Thomas, at his house in Vermont to go skiing.  We finally took advantage of it.  We left at 9pm planning on driving through the night with you sleeping.  Of course, we decided to go in a mild snowstorm.  Awesome for skiing. Not so much for the roads.  By 2am, into back roads VT, Jen and I were white knuckled as our car was skidding out all over the place.  Eventually, about 10 miles from his house, our car decided it wasn't going to make it anymore.  Lacking 4 wheel drive we got stuck on a hill.  I offered to leave it, jump in Thomas's Jeep and illegally make the rest of the drive with you on my lap.  Thomas and Seth decided to tie a rope from his car to mine, in a snowstorm, at 3 in the morning, and tow/drive the rest of the way.  As soon as this was going on, you woke up and demanded to know "What is going on?  Is this a dream?" And you stayed at rapt attention until I got you out of the car and into the house still not entirely convinced it was real life. 

I signed you up for ski school so you could learn with professionals and I could get some slope time in as well.  You were really excited and marched right off without a second glance behind you.  I think Jen was more nervous then either of us.  It was the most perfect day for learning, with all the snow the night before it was beautiful powder, sunny, and warm for skiing.  I was surprised at how good I was after not being on skis for 7 years.  But I was even more impressed with you on skis.  I went to pick you up early from ski school and watched you for a while.  You had made friends.  You got on the magic carpet like you had been doing it for years.  You went down the little training slope by yourself.  I was so proud of you for jumping right in.

Thomas, Seth, Jen and I waited for you to finish your lesson and asked if you would like to try a chair lift.  Thomas used to be a ski instructor on Mt. Snow for years so even though I was a little hesitant, you seemed confident and with Thomas' help at least we would get down!  You loved the lift but were a little intimidated by the bunny hill.  Thomas ended up skiing backwards in front of you, I stayed by your side, while Seth and Jen shouted encouragements and took pictures.  We made it down.  It took a long time but we did it.  And then we all called it a day and went to the bar!

The next day I took you by myself.  We missed the opening for the lesson because of a lazy morning.  The only thing they had left was a snowboarding lesson, which I thought was awesome but you didn't want to.  I didn't want to push it because you did so well the day before.  So, we hit the bunny slope.  You were definitely more tentative with just me.  You wanted to hold my hand the entire time but I knew you didn't need too. We had a blast anyway.  You were one of the best skiing partners I could have had.  It really was an amazing trip.  I can't wait take advantage of Thomas' house next season a lot more.

At bedtime, we have reinstated talking about our highs and lows.  You have also added "left and right" which are the funniest part of our day and the overall feeling of the day.  I think it is a testament to what kind of kid you are that every night you start off with your high being "right now and the whole day."  Then I make you think about it and give me a real answer.  I can't even remember the last time that you had a low.  You always have several funny parts.  Including lots of things that I don't remember like "when you said "monsteroni and peas instead of macaroni and cheese.  That was funny."  Your feelings are always happy or excited or content.  Clearly, I am instilling my sense of perpetual optimism from a very young age.

I love you everyday, 

Momma

Snow Bunnies

61 Months

Bud,

Unfortunately, there was a blizzard on your birthday which was also the day that I had booked the Children's Museum for your party.  We did a get a decent 12"+  so it was a legit storm.  I ended up canceling it (ohhh the horror) and rescheduling for a few weeks later.  I tried to make your day extra special.  Baked you a cake of your choice.  I put balloons hanging in your doorway so you would have to walk through balloons when you woke up.  We sang 'Happy Birthday' with candles in your pancakes.  We ended up having a nice day; playing in the snow, drinking hot chocolate, and had a lovely family dinner at one of your favorite restaurants.  We spent a lot of the day constructing your brand spanking new Lego Death Star.  Yes!! You got it!! Finally!  I caved.  Well, kind of.  Gammy rallied to your cause and called all of our closest relatives.  Who, of course, started sending checks.  Your family is pretty incredible, my love.  I gave you your options.  You could get lots of presents, one from each person.  Or you could just get one big one.

So, you got your Death Star.  Neither of us were disappointed.  Its pretty impressive.  It took us 4 days to get it together.  And the next day you dropped it on the floor and burst out crying!  It was sad and endearing and kind of breath taking.  It was one of those slow-motion falls with a massive crash.  All the air got sucked out of the room and we held our breath to gage your reaction.  You thought I would be upset because how long it took us.  I had to convince you that was what Legos were for.  You build them, take them apart, and build something new.  We fixed it.  But now all you want to do is modify everything.  You had a playdate with your friend Charlie and tore every Lego set apart.  I begged you to leave the Death Star and Millennium Falcon alone.  But nothing else was saved.  It was hard for me to watch, but you guys had the best time.  This time you were comforting me.  "Mom, we can rebuild everything!  I want to build without the books."  So, this time we start again. Most likely in our new house.  Without instructions.  Just your imagination.

Waiting for your friends

Your party was pretty great.  It was a superhero party.  They hid pictures of different villains throughout the exhibits. You made masks and ran around searching for the bad guys.  You had a blast.  You were so excited.  From the very minute you woke up.  I wish I could give you a party everyday just to see your face.  Your hands always go a mile a minute when you are excited.  You rub your hands together, twist them around, clap them together.  I don't think they stopped moving the entire day.  Totally made up for you being snowed out on your real birthday.

We spent much of this month being sick.  The stomach flu made its way through the entire family.  Except for you.  I was convinced that you were going to get sick just at the wrong moment.  Like right before your birthday party.  Or when I had to go to Miami for work and you were going to be home with Gammy for 24 hours.  Clearly, that would be an amazing time for you to get sick.  I got sick on a night out, puked all over the city.  With each of us that got it, it was the worst timing possible and then you get tied to a toilet for days.  So, I kept waiting.  And every time you coughed I rushed to get you a garbage can.  Nothing.  You must be the healthiest kid on the planet.  It was terrible being laid up but I did enjoy spending days home laying on the couch with you.  Dare I say, you didn't mind it much either.

I love you everyday,
Momma

May The Birthday Be With You

60 Months - 5 Years

Bud, 

Last night, you told me "Mom, when you wake up and I am 5, you are going to go crazy!"  You are officially 5 and I am officially going crazy. I am having a hard time this year putting words to what I am feeling. You feel 5 to me.  I am not astonished just excited.  These last 5 years have been the best of my life. Today is a celebration! You simply amaze me. Everyday. With your wit and sarcasm. With your sense of humor and lust for information. With your fearlessness and adventurous attitude. With your sheer ability to love. You are the most affectionate and sweet five-year-old I know. You care about people. You’re empathetic and compassionate. I am just so incredibly proud of you. I am so proud to be your mom.

You have been fairly attached to me lately in a way that is a little unusual.  You want to, not only, sit next to me but on my lap or with our chairs touching.  You teared up when asking if it was okay to still come in my bedroom if you got scared when you get older.  You want to hold my hand and ask when I will be home.  I am not sure if it is because of our impending move or if it is just a phase.  Maybe it's just because you spend most of your waking hours with me.  I take you with me everywhere.  We map out our day together every morning.  You, matter of factly, told me that you are my best friend. “And Jen too” you amended.  I am equally as attached to you.  I genuinely enjoy spending my time with you.  I look forward to seeing you when I've been away. We make each other belly laugh till tears run down our cheeks.  I find it amazing that I asked you to help me pick out shoes in DSW and you found the exact ones that I would have picked myself.  We make a pretty remarkable team.

You had kindergarten registration the other day. I didn’t cry when I received the notice in the mail just stared at it in disbelief for a little while.  I am so excited for you.  For this next monumental step in your life.  For being able to watch you grow and mature into the boy you are becoming.  I sat down to fill out the volumes of paperwork and off you went. I sensed a little of your hesitation but you pushed through. I know you wanted to explore your new school with me but I think you understood that it was a new place just for you.  The 5 years old, I can comprehend.  Its the kindergarten that I can't.  Adding to the surrealism was filling out all the paperwork with our new address and new phone number.  This is all really happening.  And it is all moving faster then I ever imagined.   

I find myself searching your face, surprised when I still see expressions that you made when you were a baby. Watching your lips when you talk, taking in the way they move. Or how your eyes go big when you speak of the latest Star Wars guy you are obsessed with. You are still in there; that same angelic baby I fell in love with five years ago. But somehow it has turned into so much more. You have grown into so much more. We sat down to watch some old home movies last night, a mini celebration of the 5 years of you.  We laughed watching you toddle across the screen, listened to you tell stories in your broken baby English, commented on how you excitedly have been rubbing your hands together for years.  Gammy reflected while I was switching tapes, "Take him in now because in 5 more years you are going to be nostalgic for the things that are happening now."  She is right.

I didn’t think it was possible to love you any more then I did five years ago but it just keeps growing and growing. This expanse of love that I had no idea I was capable of. I keep waiting for it to reach its ceiling but it never does.

My big, grown up, cuddly boy, I love you everyday and I always will. 
Happy Birthday.
Momma

Our Santa

59 Months

Monkey,

This Christmas we got a special surprise.  You got chosen to play Santa in the Night Before Christmas play at school.  You were the only kid with a line, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night".  I'm still not sure how they chose you.  Your charm.  Innocent good looks.  Ability to yell over other kids.  Sheer nepotism cause Momma works there and everybody loves you.  I am going to bet on all of the above.  I got you to practice at home by asking you to say your line instead of saying please. To say that everyone was excited about your debut is an understatement.  We brought an entourage of people.  Auntie B and Pa took off from work.  Aunt Lizzy and Nana wouldn't dare miss it.  And of course Gammy and me.  You were amazing.  The confidence!  The direction!  The biggest smile ever!  With your classmates as reindeer, you rode in a sleigh.  You had an enormous stuffed belly that you grabbed like a bowl full of jelly. You put your finger on your nose and scooted up the chimney.  You waved to the audience and said your line perfectly.  The video will surely be a favorite of many Christmas's to come.

NBD.  Just making Xmas treats.

I was mildly nervous about this Christmas.  You asked for the Lego Death Star.  It was the only thing on your list that was consistent.  And it was the only thing that I was positive I was not getting you.  It is a $400 Lego set.  Made for 14 years and up.  Its epic.  Its unpractical.  I just couldn't justify it.  So I distracted.  Persuaded you to look for other sets that were just as awesome.  I was nervous that you were going to be disappointed.  We all get disappointed at Christmas at some point.  I just really didn't want it to be this Christmas; this early in your life.  Thankfully, my distraction techniques worked.  I still can't decide which choice was better, not getting the Death Star or replacing it with the Wii.  You are obsessed with your video games now and quite talented too.  My favorite pastime has become watching you jump around the den.  One day you were jumping, running, and gesturing so enthusastically that you tripped on your own legs and landed on your back.  I laughed.  I'm not proud that I laughed when you fell.  And of course I comforted you while my eyes were streaming with laughing tears.  BUT it was pretty hysterical.  You tripped on your own legs playing Wii.  Totally something I would do.

I got a pretty lucky break and got to house sit for a parishoner who happened to have an indoor pool/jacuzzi.  Perfect timing for breaking the winter blues.  I would get you from school and we would head there to feed the cats and swim.  It was glorious.  A mini-vacation sorely needed.  I kept wondering if we lived there would I appreciate it as much.  Or was it just because it was a novelity.  There is not much stress to be had when you are in the water, with a glass of wine (or ice tea for you), watching the snow fall on the glass above your head.  By the end of the few days you were pretty positive you wanted to move in.

Santa got fancy this year!

My most favorite part about this Christmas was how grateful you were for everything.  I gave you pajamas, like always, on Christmas eve.  And you professed that it was the best Christmas ever.  You went on and on how amazing your pajamas are.  On Christmas morning you actually watched us open our presents while waiting in between yours.  You TOOK TURNS opening presents.  What almost 5 year old does that?!?  You loved everything and if you got a duplicate you would comfort the gift giver.  "Its ok.  We can return it."  For a Christmas that I almost thought would be ruined, you absolutely amazed me once again.  I am so proud of you.

I love you everyday,
Momma Domma