The Big 7

My James,

I’ve been watching you closely lately.  This last year of your life has been a beautiful one, but one that has allowed me to glimpse the beginning of a journey.  You have always been my little dude, my sweet baby boy, my handsome man.  And while you are still a few years away from your teen years, I can see a little bit of the young man you will become.  Especially now that you have started to spread your wings and taken steps towards more independence. You used to love our slow walks to the park so we could swing together for hours, but now you race ahead on your scooter so you can play football with your friends while I sit and watch.

You are smart. Wicked smart.  Don’t ever forget that smart is cool.  And if something doesn’t come easy to you, and there will be things that don’t, studying is cool too. So is trying again.  And again. You are an incredibly hard worker, very competitive and a slight perfectionist - all of which when combined can either be used for the forces of good or the forces of not so good... thankfully you have a huge heart that should guide you towards good.

If I was given a list of qualities I might gift to you, at the top would be kindness. Leading with your heart as you often do is an amazing start.  Even now, you know right from wrong.  That sensibility, I imagine will only become more enhanced as you get older.  That feeling you get in your tummy, in your head and in your heart that tells you, ‘this is right and THIS is wrong’…. follow it, trust it, embrace it.  I know it won’t always be easy.  Standing up for someone when you see they need it, being the one of your friends that chooses a different path – I’m asking a lot of you, but I know you can do it. Trust yourself. The people around you deserve the gift of kindness that you choose to give. Whether you are helping your brother or sister, saving worms, comforting a friend, picking something up for someone, holding a door open or just offering a kind word, it all matters.

Right now you come to me with everything.  You are completely transparent. If you get in trouble at school, if you make a bad decision, if you are mean to your sister, you confide in me.  I realize as you get older, turning to me and your Dad may not always seems as easy, but know this, we will always be here for you, no matter what.  We WANT you to come to us – with questions, with worries, with concerns. We are here to protect and guide you, forever.

My goal has always been to be the best Mama, the best teacher, you could have.  But you, James, are mine.  I learn more from you, Madeleine and Matthias every day than I could possibly have imagined.  You allow me to see the world from a different height, through open, honest eyes.  You love purely, you give unconditionally and play hard with all of your heart.  If only each and every adult I knew subscribed to your life philosophies, this world would be ready for you when you grow up.

Did I mention I don’t want you to grow up?  That I don’t want you to ever stop snuggling with me at night or early in the morning? That I don’t ever want you to stop saying, “I love you, Mama” in the middle of the day? That I hope you won’t ever be embarrassed to run and jump in my arms in celebration after winning a game? You have my heart, always.

The Happiest of Birthdays.

Love always and forever,

Your Mama

the post I did weeks ago but forgot to hit publish (story of my life!)

James goes to a STEM school so they are very serious about their technology - which means that all of his homework is on the computer. Its nice because he will never forget his homework or a book at school but its weird when your 6 yr old has to sit at the computer to do math homework. It feels wrong that he isn't using a pencil and paper for math. But as he tells me, paper and pencil is old school.

Madeleine is still trying to convince Dash to let her dress him up but he is not having any of it. Dash will however take all the snuggles she is willing to give him.

James is playing basketball this season and by some crazy luck of the draw all of our games except one are at 815 in the morning - which makes for a really early Saturday morning. But when you play your friends team it means we can go get brunch afterwards!

Madeleine had a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese for one of her friends - and it was her first time ever going there (And my first time in years). She was not impressed, can you tell from her face?

The kids have actually been playing really well together lately (knock on wood). Matthias just loves to hang out with his brother and sister - no one else can make him laugh like those two.

Whenever I am in the kitchen, Matthias loves to play in all the cabinets. It always looks like a bomb went off.

This kid figured out that if he leaned on the rocking chair he can push it around and he can get places quicker.

Madeleine doesn't like going to basketball practice. Her boycotting skills are on point for a 4 yr old.

Matthias' favorite game is when the other two will build block towers and then he gets to knock them over. This will entertain all of them for a good 30 minutes.

Madeleine started dance class a few weeks ago! She is so excited about it. She has been asking to do one for awhile now but it took me awhile to find a studio that both messed with our schedule and wasn't crazy competitive.

These two are best friends.

Obligatory basketball picture for the season.

A couple of weeks ago we went to The Discovery Place and the kids had a blast. It is a really great hands on kids museum.

James' basketball team finished first in their league for their regular season and now has made it to the championship game in the tournament. We've been having amazing weather so on a beautiful Sunday afternoon the coach organized a pick up game for them at the park. We really lucked out this season with such a great group.

We had a fun and easy birthday party for Matthias last weekend. The kids helped my pick a Spring theme (since its been so warm and everything is already starting to bloom - yay allergies!). We did little aloe plants for all the kids to take home and dirt cups for the treats. James and Madeleine loved helping me make the dirt cups!

We hardly took any pictures because it was just so fun. There were probably 20 kids of all different ages and they all played so well together! We have been really blessed with such amazing friends who are honestly just the nicest group of people with the nicest kids.

Matthias got a cupcake and he did not even hesitate - he took it down in about 2 minutes flat. It was impressive.

And now he is 1 and well on his way to becoming a toddler!