Freddie

Dear Kids,

We started a new tradition this year.  Santa sent us an elf.  Well technically Aunt Kayleen gave him to us last year with a book for Christmas, but this was his first year to get a name and actually fly back to the North Pole each night to report to Santa.
Lulu, you named him Freddie.  The first day he showed up, on the last day of November, he brought a present with him. Lulu, you didn't think he was real.  "He is a doll Mom," you told me while Hammer just stood there listening to our conversation.  "Plus that's our wrapping paper and marker." "What if he used our paper and markers? What if he left the paper out in the back bedroom after he was done wrapping" I asked you.   You and Hammer ran back there and when you saw the roll of wrapping paper still on the desk, Lulu you cried "He IS real!"  Hammer, you would believe anything if Lulu and I believed it. Mr T, you just thought he was funny.  You laughed every morning when you found him doing something new and silly.
The rules with the elf are he can't speak to us and we can't touch him.  If you touch him, then his magic was gone for a whole day, so when you woke up the next morning he would be in the same place.  Unfortunately this happened quite a few times.  However, there were still a lot of days before Christmas so we caught Freddie doing quite a few funny things.  Check them out:

Lulu and Hammer, you both didn't want to get dressed or eat breakfast until you had found Freddie.  You both got a kick out of his situation every single time you found him.  Your enthusiasm and laughs made me happy too. Lulu, you often told Freddie how cute he was, or how funny you thought he was.  Mr T, you learned to say Elf because of Freddie. When you would spot him you would giggle and say "Elf!"
We had a great time with Freddie.  Daddy and I tried to use him as a threat a few times.  "Hey, the elf is listening.  What will he tell Santa tonight?"  It worked on Lulu a few times, but not too much on Hammer.
Freddie left on Christmas Eve with Santa, but Christmas morning we found 3 kisses he left at his last place.  There was one kiss for each kid.  How sweet, he'll miss you!

Until next year Freddie ol Pal.

Love,
Mom

Our Card

Visit with Santa

Dear Kids,

We were really sad that we missed Santa at Bowman's this year, mostly because Bowman's has free pictures with Santa.  You still needed to sit on his lap though! So, we found Santa a few days ago at a new shopping center near our house. You are not allowed to take your own pictures with him, so I asked how much was their cheapest picture.  $17 for 2 pictures.  Dang it.  So you still sat on his lap, but we didn't get any pictures with him.
To compensate, we took pictures around Santa's workshop.

There was a beautiful huge tree and great big presents right by the workshop, a perfect place for a picture.

Lulu at the workshop entrance

And here is what his workshop looks like.  It's nestled next to the skating rink and a pretty water fountain

Mr T, I think you loved the fountain the most. You loved watching the colorful water squirt into the air.

There was also a big outdoor fireplace to warm yourself.  It felt really nice because man oh man has it been cold! I don't think it even got up to freezing this day.

Santa was sitting  on a settee in a little workshop. There was a warm fire in the fireplace behind him.  Lulu, you thought he looked different from the video he sent you in an email the other day.  You decided it must have been because he cut his beard a little shorter. He was wearing his red suit and hat of course. 
Lulu, you were first to sit on his lap.  You couldn't even look at him, and kept wringing your hands.  You did tell him that you want a Unicorn Dream Lite though.  Then he asked what else you wanted.  You looked at me and Dad for direction, and we said "Tell him you just want one thing." I guess Santa isn't used to having kids sit on his lap that only want 1 toy.  Santa told you if you thought of something else you wanted to close your eyes and picture his big book and he would get the message.
Next it was Hammer's turn.  You hopped right up there with a big smile on your face and told Santa that you want a Thomas Steam and Speed. When he asked what else, you looked at us and we told you to say candy. I guess Santa thought that sounded liked a good idea.
Then, it was Mr T's turn.  You ran right over and Santa picked you up and sat you on his knee. As soon as you realized what you had done, a look of terror crossed your face and you started to whimper.  Don't worry, you didn't sit there long, and you got a candy cane out of it!
So it would have been a cute picture, with Lulus nervous face, Hammer's excited face, and Mr T crying.  But you'll just have to picture it in your mind. 

Christmas is almost here little ones!  Can't wait to share it with you.

Love,
Mom

It's been one week

Dear Lulu,

It's been one week since something horrible happened.  It was something so terrible that I couldn't tell you about it.  You are still so young and innocent and you worry when things aren't safe, or when someone is hurt.  So of course, I couldn't tell you. But someday when you're older maybe you will read this and know how it affected me.
It's been one week since 20 children, all ages 6 and 7, were killed while they were at school.  They were in 1st grade and had just started their Friday like any other normal school day.  6 teachers and administrators died too.  A man with no connection to any of them shot them all and then took his own life.  I don't know how someone could even think of something like this, and then carry it out.  It was so unexpected.  It was so unfair.  It was so evil. It was so horribly sad. It happened across the country from us in Connecticut, but our entire country has mourned.
It's been one week since I learned of the tragedy, but I can't stop thinking about the young lives that were cut short. I know the children are in a better place now, but they shouldn't be there.  They should still be here. The gunman stole their childhood.  They won't get to anxiously wait for Santa, or place their teeth under their pillows, or giggle all night with their best friends at a sleep over. He stole their first kisses.  He took away their marriages, their babies, their grandbabies.  He robbed 20 mommies from the joy of raising a beautiful child right now.
One little girl in particular, who happened to originally be from Utah, reminded me so much of you.  She had long blonde hair and a sweet face with big eyes.  She loved to color and make cards for people.  She was the big sister in her home.  There were a lot of similarities between the two of you.  Her name was Emilie. When I see her picture, I think of her poor mommy.  Even though I don't want to, I try to imagine what it would be like to lose you, especially in the way this little girl died.  I can only guess at how sad it would be to tuck your kids in at night and see an empty bed.  I can't even imagine the pain the mother must feel when she sees the clothes Emilie wore last week.  Maybe they are still dirty and still smell like her.  I think how sad she must be to see Emilie's favorite stuffed animal still on her bed.  I hate to think of her seeing Emilie's stocking with her name on it, and her presents wrapped and under the Christmas tree. It makes me cry to think of her hugging the last card Emilie made for her mommy, and watching videos where her 6 year old was laughing and living life to the fullest.
Right now I could write about violence, or about guns, or mental illness, but what I want you to hear from me (some day when you read this) is that God was there that Friday morning.  He wasn't punishing anyone, or turning his face from it.  He saw it all, and He cried from heaven at the hurt that He saw happening.  But He didn't stop it.  Agency, one of His greatest gifts, let the gunman make this choice.  There will be justice.
I also believe that if bad things only happened to bad people we wouldn't live by faith.  We would be only be good because we knew bad things would happen to us otherwise.  God wants us to be good because we believe in life after death.  He wants us to be good because when we make that choice without being forced to, and not out of fear, we are happy!  We are here on Earth to learn and improve and to be happy. Our true character will shine through, and God will see what we have become.
And so, bad things happen to bad people and to good people too.  Bad things happen because we live in a mortal world, and because people have agency.  I hope you will feel in your heart that this is true, and live life without fear or worry.  God sees what we go through, and He comforts us whenever we need it.  Heaven knows 27 families are feeling it now.
I'm so thankful for each day that I have with you Lulu.  You certainly brighten my world.  I am doing my best at raising you and your brothers.   I'm grateful to be your mommy.  My greatest hope is to make the world a better place, in my own small way.  I can see already that you feel the same way, and that makes me proud. 

Love you my princess,
Mom

Tiny Dancer (with videos!)

Dear Lulu,

You had your Christmas Dance recital last weekend.
Here you are at home in your outfit:

This face you made is cracking me up:

And here you are with your class at your teachers house:

We had to be at the community center where your recital was held 30 minutes early.  The boys had to run around a little so they'd actually sit for the real deal.  They enjoyed themselves:

And here you are, sitting by your friends from your class, waiting to go back stage:

You were really excited that Grammie came down to watch you perform.
You danced two numbers, one was ballet and one was tap.
Lulu, you did so good!  You followed your teacher and were mostly on time with the steps.  Some of the steps were hard for you, but you did your best and I really could tell that you have improved since the first few times you practiced the dances for me.
So here are the videos of your performance! Sorry we don't have a great video camera and I had to hold it up high above my head so it made the screen dark and hard to make sure you were centered. And it was hard to keep steady! But you are adorable, huh?:




I liked watching you chew your tongue as you concentrated.
I also liked how you weren't scared to perform.  You marched right out there and did your thing. When I was your age I had my first dance recital. I cried on the side of the stage and wouldn't even go out until song was almost over. I found my courage somehow and came out clapping my hands while I danced across the whole stage and everyone cheered for me.  I'm glad you didn't get all my shyness, although some of it does sometimes pop up unexpectedly in you.  Like when we saw Santa yesterday, but that's a story for another day.
A few days after the recital, you put on your old dance outfit and requested I come down to the playroom for another mini recital.  You have a favorite song on one of our toys, and you choreographed this dance to that song:

You have some really sweet moves, ones you obviously didn't learn in dance class. When you're a little bit older you probably won't be happy with me that I posted that video on here.  But you know what, it's too cute and funny not to share.
You love dancing, and I love watching you do something that you love.

Love you my Tiny Dancer,
Mom

18 months

Dr Mr T,

You are growing up so fast!  We had your 18 month doctor check-up on Monday, and guess what?  You're still tall and skinny.  I guess that's how you will continue to grow up, which isn't a bad thing. You make a pretty cute tall and skinny red head.
At 18 months you...
... can say quite a few words, although most of them have only one syllable.  You newest one is bash (splash). You can also say the sounds of lots of animals!  The dinosaur roar is my favorite..
...you love me to hold you.  A lot.  But you are also really good at playing by yourself a few times during the day
... still sign a lot of words that you can't say.  Milk, night night, baby, gentle,
... communicate with me by shaking your head yes.
...  still get frustrated really easily and bang your head.  I do wish you wouldn't do that.  The bruises on your head make me sad!
... don't like to watch tv
... LOVE books
... are usually a pretty good eater, except for most vegetables.  I'm hoping it's a texture thing and that you'll start eating them more and more.  We always offer it on your plate even though you often don't even try it
...love Pluto, especially when he's in his crate.  You think it's so funny when he licks your hands
... love Batman, Buzz Lightyear, Tinkerbell, and the Grinch
...love to play Lulu's and Hammer's Leapsters.
... love to dance to Gangnam style, and lead when you hear piano music.  You have a pretty good sense of rhythm!
... you love the song I Am A Child Of God, and always sing the last word DAY with me, followed by the sign for more and your cute little voice saying "mo mo"
...think it's fun when Daddy's throws you in the air and then lets you drop, but only if he doesn't actually let go
...also think it's so fun to jump on Lulu's bed.  It gives me a heart attack every time, and for good reason.  You chipped your front tooth last week when you hit your face on her bed frame!
...you went to your first week of Nursery on Sunday.  You did pretty well.  It helped to have Hammer in there, although that's only for a few more weeks!

I love you so much Mr T.  Your kisses and smiles and funny little personality make my life more complete.

Love,
Mom

Made me smile

Dear family,

Every day I find reasons to smile.  Humor and joy are essential to life, and I'm glad I don't have to look very far or very hard for it.
The other day I smiled when...

I saw Daddy let Pluto snuggle in his lap on a sunny afternoon

When I watched Hammer giggle and play with (torture?) a ladybug

When I saw that Lulu had written MEK (milk) on the milk jug

When Hammer drew me some pictures at church

When Mr T wanted to wear Lulu's old boots without any pants on

and then when Mr T wanted to wear Hammer's undies (daily occurrence) over his diaper

When we had a play date with our good friends and the two babies smiled for pictures

When Lulu drew me a picture of me and her (also a daily occurrence)

Thanks for making life so enjoyable!

Lots of love, 

Mom

Life Lately, November Edition

Dear Family,
November is already over.  Life has a crazy way of going really slow and really fast at the same time.  We do a lot of fun things, and a lot of the same things over and over.  Look at a few of the things my phone recorded in pictures for us.

Do you see Pluto all curled up in a ball just outside our kitchen door?  It was really cold for a few days there!

Remember when we met Aunt Jen downtown during her lunch break?  Lulu, you were so excited to visit with her

We took her with us to Jamba juice.  Mr T, you wouldn't let me take the straw out for a picture. We sure love our smoothies!

Here are 6 pictures from the Week In the Life project, but they are cute enough to post again.  Hammer, you love preschool at Ms Kristi's

Mr T,  you get to go shopping with me on Thursday mornings while the other kids are at school.  It's always a good time, isn't it?

The sun is setting earlier and earlier these days

Lulu, you are adorable in your dance outfit

Hammer you decided that you love the car wash

Mr T, you weren't so sure about the car wash, but you didn't cry!

Lulu, you left me this picture of your favorite stuffed animal, a cow named Bessie

We went shopping at Rec Outlet and the boys tried animal hats on. Mr T, you wouldn't leave it on long enough for a picture. Hammer, you left your sock monkey hat on for me.  You couldn't wait to see the picture on my phone after I took it.

Hammer, you learned about policemen one day at preschool in November.  I loved your badge and your hat that you made that day

Mr T, you sure love bathtime with your siblings.  Look how grown up you are looking!

So, there you have it.  A few more memories from another great month.  

Love you all,

Mom