happy fathers day

so...

a very special friend of mine lost her daddy this year. she has three little girls and a rad husband. and one of the things she told me that she missed the most was photos of her dad with her children.

this year, i was DETERMINED to start taking photos with my parents (and hopefully in-laws when they come for baby3's arrival).

it's taken me a while. but i started today. thank you, lauren, for encouraging me and inspiring me.

can we pause for a moment and talk about how cute my dad is?

*moment of silence for cuteness*

and today my kiddos got to celebrate buz. big h got him an ironman t-shirt. (of COURSE he did.) and buz loved it. (of COURSE he did.) goo got him a new swimsuit. and told him about it beforehand. which made big h mad. oh well. and i got him a new nike watch. we went to church. then out to lunch with my parents. then, rest time. then, i had the brilliant idea of going to the pool as a family after rest time. and having "dinner" there. everyone was all for it. got there at 530pm. and realized it closes at 6 on sundays.

i rock.

so we left, got $1 hot dogs and sno cones. came home and got jammies and snuggled with popcorn and a movie.

couldn't even TRY to begin to describe in words what a freaking rockstar of a daddy buz is. big h literally ADORES him. goo has this quiet little special place in her heart for him. like she KNOWS what to look for in a husband. and doodle has NO IDEA what he/she is in for. so incredibly lucky.

love you, big ace.

love you, buz.

oh, and on fathers' day? bigH revealed that one of his teeth felt "a little funny." and then i realized it was a bit loose. or "wiggly."

he has been on cloud 9 all day just HOPING it will fall out. so we had to photograph his mouth one last time before the first falls out.

i won't lie. i cried today. one more milestone that proves big H is NOT a baby.

on the eve of the last day of kindergarten

oh my goodness.

tomorrow. june 4 2010.

is my little man's last day of kindergarten.

(prepare yourself. i have a tendency to be a *bit* dramatic. easy, buz.)

i was a mess today. this morning was big h's kindergarten graduation. i know. kindergarten. puh-lease. i used to be that mom who said to herself, "whatever. preschool graduation. kindergarten graduation? give me a break. that is ridiculous."

again. here i am at that point SO GLAD they had their little graduation.

because this picture?

well, it just about DID. ME. IN.

didn't i just deliver him? wasn't he just pitching a fit outside the lame music class at the local rec center? wasn't i just sitting with him learning how to write his letters?

and now he's walking down a center aisle of a cute, little elementary cafeteria-turned-auditorium to pomp and circumstance with an ENORMOUS grin on his face.

and i held it together. i didn't do the ugly cry. i DID, however, do the almost cry. and i looked at the front of the room and watched his teacher, mrs. b, and i marveled at what a year this has been.

for six and a half years now, buz and i have been praying for big h. for all sorts of things. for his future wife. for when he'll truly meet Jesus and ask Him to be his Savior. for what his overall character will look like. but we've prayed very specifically for his first school friend. and for his first teacher. and by first school friend and teacher, i mean school. not mothers' day out. not preschool. but hard core school. i've always known i wouldn't homeschool. and we've certainly known that unless God performed a modern day miracle, our children wouldn't go to private school. so public school it was.

FYI: public school requires a lot of faith and trust.

and i've had so much fear. so much anxiety. and so i've prayed so diligently that the Lord would wrap His enormous arms around my little man and around my heart.

and that He did.

first of all, big h had a rough start to school. was picked on a little bit. was teased a little bit. pegged in the face with sticks. (nice. not sure the last time i've seen buz that angry.) but we had a little meeting with his God-send teacher, mrs. b, about our frustrations and our worries and our concerns. and our desire to partner with her in advocating on his behalf.

and one of the main things that stuck out is when she said, "let him know that i am his safe person. i am here to hear all of the scary things about school. i want him to tell me anything he's worried about. i want him to tell me anything he's excited about. i want him to feel safe with me."

that phrase has been a cornerstone for him this year.

and when she said he could tell her anything...well, he took that quite literally. she knew when we had chipotle. she knew when goo and i went to get pedicures. she knew when we went to visit my parents. she knew when we ordered pizza on friday nights and watched movies. everything. and big h is like his mama...he's a details kid. :)

bless her heart.

moment of silence for what a rock star she is.

oh, and the icing on the cake? yeah, we found out she knows Jesus.

hand clapping right now.

so throughout this past year, she has truly been big h's safe person. he trusts her like family, respects her like family, loves her like family. and he actually asked her over for dinner, but i was worried that was crossing the line.

she and i have had so many wonderful conversations. about him. about her. about goo. (she swears she won't retire until she has goo. i continually ask her if she's up to the challenge.)

to say we've been blessed is quite the understatement.

AND we prayed for at least ONE friend. and one friend he got. oh my word, he ADORES his best buddy. it just so happens that his mom is the first person who spoke to me at school. i was coming out of the classroom on day 2, and she asked me which child was mine. i told her, and she introduced herself. little did we know that our boys would be the best of friends. and he is an amazing kid. loves big h. big h LOVES him. and they don't get into trouble. they don't argue. they just talk legos and star wars. and this summer, they get to go to lego camp together.

thank you, Jesus, for the provisions this year.

dear big h,

i can't even begin to describe the feelings going on inside me today. so hard to believe that tomorrow is your last day of kindergarten. i could not be more FULL OF PRIDE as i am right now. what an incredible young man you are. you are a leader. one of our rules at the beginning of school was, "you don't have to be friends with everyone, but you have to be friendly to everyone." and you really took that straight to heart.

every morning, at 725am, you and i set out the front door for school, two blocks away. and it was definitely one of two of my favorite times of the day. it was just the two of us. we would talk about what you were going to do that day. what your job would be. who you'd play with. what field trip you'd go on. what super hero you'd pretend to be at recess. if mrs. b would be there or not. and if she wasn't there, we would wonder where she would be. we would get to the corner where the school was, and we'd take the "short cut." which is funny because it's not shorter at all. it's just the wheelchair ramp, and you thought it was cool to go that way. and i would go with you because, well, that was more time with you. we'd get to the end of the ramp, and i'd say "you wanna start or finish?" and either you'd start by praying or you'd finish by adding your two cents and saying amen. we'd get to the front door, say amen, and i'd say every morning, "i love you buddy. i'm proud of you. have a great day. i can't wait until 245." and you'd hug and kiss me back and say, "love you mom." and then, i'd watch you walk into school with a huge smile on your face and say hello to all of the staff members who happen to be outside in the morning. and i'd walk home being so grateful that we're pals. that i got to have those ten minutes with you. those precious ten minutes.

and then, to be honest, some days would DRAG on. and i literally couldn't wait until 245.

i'd get there early. and i would stand by that tree, hoping not to sweat, and be ready. and everyday, that door would open, and i'd see your face, and you'd run out to me and almost plow me over with your huge hug. (i'll admit it -- i cried on the first day when you ran out there. i couldn't believe how much i'd missed you.) lately, i turn a little bit because you come at me at full speed, and doodle (the baby in my tummy) takes a quick punch to the gut if i don't turn. :) but he/she doesn't mind. and neither do i. and sometimes mrs. b would be at the door, and we'd talk. which was always a highlight of my day. and on days that goo was in school, she'd come with me to get you. and you'd run straight to her (who was usually dressed in some form of costume -- can't imagine how embarrassed you must have been). and others would comment on how neat that was. and i would beam. we'd either walk to the car or walk home. and i would say everyday, "man, i missed you buddy. how was your day???" and you'd respond with "good." and i used to think that's all i would get. but if i was patient enough, i'd get a play-by-play. and while you were giving it to me, i'd text dad with, "if i forget...the best part of my day is happening right now."

you learned so much this year. you learned how to make all your lowercase letters. really well. you learned to read. you learned to do math. you learned to do story/word problems. you loved going to art, music, and PE. you are such a rule follower that you never once didn't wear your tennis shoes because "mom, you have to wear tennis shoes at PE, and what if we went to PE and i was wearing my crocs??" :)

you wrote in a journal. you were kind to "friends" who weren't kind back. you had a great relationship with mrs. b. she thinks you're hot snot. you made friends well. you talked about legos nonstop. you developed a love for star wars.

i can't begin to tell you how proud i am of you. what an amazing kid you are. God has designed with such a unique purpose, and i love watching you think and care and learn. i consider it a true joy to get to be your mom. thank you. i hope tomorrow's a great day for you.

sweet mrs. b. um, LOVE her.

your best buddy.

you reading the Bible to goo.

you accepting your citizen of the month award.

when goo and i came up and met you for lunch. (so i don't forget...she was SO INCREDIBLY SAD when we had to leave and you got to stay.)

your super handsome smile. love it so much. see it SO REGULARLY.

the first time i brought you lunch at school.

one of the first times goo came with me to drop you off. she said, "i will miss you a yot. i yub you." and cue my melting heart.

what not

hi. how are ya?

it's me. janet.

remember?

i'll give you a minute.

remember?

i've been off the blogging bandwagon. blogging just wasn't and hasn't been fun. and i didn't want to do anything that wasn't enjoyable. i would sit in the corner where my computer was. and moan and groan about being over there. i didn't want to post pictures or try to think of anything to write. not that there WASN'T anything to write about.

because OH. MY. WORD. at all the blogging fodder going on in our home right now.

i just didn't want to. i wanted to sit with buz and watch shows together. i wanted to play polly pockets with goo. i wanted to build a sweet lego space ship with big h. or if big h was at school and goo was napping? i wanted to enjoy the silence and stillness.

i even got a new computer. a laptop. to encourage me to blog. still. haven't wanted to.

but i'm hoping to jump back on. but please don't feel the urge to "hold me accountable." i don't know if i can take the pressure.

again...not that there isn't anything to blog about.

nope. not like our SURPRISE PREGNANCY.

we’re having a baby probably in july. i say probably because i’m due august 8, but i’ve never gone past thirty-eight weeks. so probably july. yeah, goo’s birthday is in july too. and yes, july IS one THE HOTTEST MONTHS of the entire year. i’m just not destined to wear winter maternity clothes. oh well. poor summer janet.

and for the record, this will be our last child. our. last. child.

big h is beside himself. he is so excited to have a baby at our house. he’s told everyone he knows. and some that he doesn’t know. lots of strangers who’s in my belly.

goo? well, she’s neither here or there. which basically sums up goo in general lately.

buz and i? are getting there. this was a *bit* of a surprise, so it’s taking us a while to wrap our brains around the fact that we’re going to have THREE children. more children than parents. heavens. and we consigned every. last. thing after goo was born so our inventory of baby items is at what we like to call an all-time low. but we’ve heard that with each kid you have, you need fewer and fewer “things.” so we’re trusting that theory.

or the fact that i got rid of my FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD 4Runner and got a minivan.

or that big h LOVES kindergarten.

or that goo got a new big girl bed.

or that she is a total pill at age three.

or that i ran a 5K and 10K before christmas.

or that i went to montana in march to surprise my best friend kelly.

i can't believe it. in our twenty-eight years of friendship, i have NEVER surprised her before. but i did last month. it was awesome.

i have been wanting to spend time with her for so long. but with tickets in the $700s, it's tough to do. i happened to be on travelocity's website, and there was a flight from dallas flying directly into her city. unheard of. for less than $250. even more unheard of. so i bought it. the week before i flew out. talked to her husband, who was all for it. buz said sure. my parents said they could watch H&G. and so i did it.

i had a friend of hers pick me up from the airport. i called joe (kelly's husband), and he said she was out running some errands. he told me the name of one of the stores where she might be. so i walked in, spotted her, and just stood in front of her for a minute. until she noticed.

and she started crying.

which i've seen happen TWICE (?) since i've known her.

i count that as a HUGE success. she left her stuff at the store and we headed next door for some mexican food. which was awesome. we purchased stuff at the store. and then went and ran errands together. like we lived in the same town or something.

it was perfectly awesome.

we've just hung out for several days. we went to church. she worked the nursery. i sat with joe. we went and visited her grandmother. we had dinner at a mongolian bbq place. we went to target, ross, and tjmaxx. she went to work one day, and i slept in, watched the today show, ate lunch with her on her lunch break, went to target again, went and bought big h a sweatshirt. and it was PERFECTION. because? because there was no catching up to do. just life to live. together.

or that i photographed my sweet friend's birth several weeks ago. her FOURTH child. i KNOW.

i can't even begin to tell you what an honor it is to do this. first of all, the miracle of life. wow, God is so incredible with the intricate details. but being able to share in this moment with a close friend? indescribable. thank you, casey and martin for letting me be a part of such a huge day for you. again.

sneak peak of little miss O.

or that i just got back from a trip to florida with some of my closest friends.

please go read this. or this. or this. or this.

i realize i'm taking the easy way out. but c'mon. cut me some slack. i haven't blogged in six months. just go. read. enjoy. be blessed and encouraged. i promise you will.

or did i mention we're having a BABY? right.

see? plenty to post about. just haven't wanted to.

i'm just starting where i am right now.

um, so i'm pregnant. TWENTY-FOUR WEEKS PREGNANT. as in over halfway there. and as i sit here typing, little doodle is moving like cuh-razy. i had forgotten this feeling. i am in LOVE with this feeling. i wish i could bottle up this feeling.

things i have craved this pregnancy? pepper. as in salt and pepper. i want pepper on everything. pasta. salads. everything. hummus with vegetables. french onion dip. tzatziki sauce. really...basically any kind of dip. salty, of course. pickles. i know...how cliche. the drink squirt. oranges. soup. really, really hot soup. and not necessarily hot, as in spicy. just hot in temperature. nacho cheese doritos. i want to eat at central market's cafe on the run all the time. schlotzsky's wisconsin cheddar soup. spaghetti warehouse's minestrone. spaghetti warehouse's side salad with blue cheese.

the first trimester. oh my word, i was tired. i can't even imagine how much dora goo watched. sad, probably. i slept as much as i possibly could. yikes. and i also can't imagine what big h told his teacher about his mom and her laziness. oh well. and for the first time ever, i had morning sickness. gross.

right now, goo is a challenge. i won't lie. it's been tough on me. i'm hormonal anyway. but lately? oh my. the constant battle of the wills. the grumpiness. the whiney stuff. whew. girls. period. but buz and i have been praying that we would stay consistent with her. which is what she needs. i don't say this lightly...sister needs to be reminded who's boss.

and then, there's big h. God love him. he's in a good place right now. the boy LOVES him some rules and order. and he loves that sister of his SO MUCH. even when she doesn't demonstrate love back. it makes me sad sometimes to watch him try so hard. but it makes me so proud i could pop.

the face goo makes on a VERY regular basis. and her twisted parents doing it with her.

see? told ya he loves her. and from the looks of it, she doesn't seem to mind.

a face that i would pay $$ to see on a regular basis. man, i love that girl.

and hello my melted heart.

the G family

long story short. (yeah right)

i became friends with a girl in high school who happened to be my brother's girlfriend at the time. and her mom was my sixth grade teacher. (small town) she and my brother didn't make it (rats, but i stayed friends with her and ADORED her mom.

we've since rekindled that friendship, which has been FABULOUS because i love being around her and her family.

but her sister? yeah, never knew her sister. until a month ago. and i am so bummed that it has taken me this long. um, because i love her. (a little intimidated by her because she has a cool factor. she'll die knowing i said that. and i'll die of embarrassing admitting it.)

so we played a month ago. her husband owns a restaurant in town that is fairly new. and very hot. let me tell you...i don't like bread pudding. but i ate almost the entire thing myself. and their artichoke dip? get it as a meal. i kind of wanted to lick the bowl last time i was there.

so we hung out downtown and had the best time together. her son is my son's age, so it was fun being around him. and her daughter is eight. which is perhaps my new favorite age. because sister was suggesting "poses" by the end.

and my favorite part of our time together? when she whispered to her mom, "i feel like we're shooting for a mini boden catalog."

hi. i'm janet. that goes down in the books as the coolest compliment i've ever received from a kid.

the A family

so...i get a message from someone who says they're the next door neighbor of one of my best friends.

i ask said friend. and indeed, this is the case.

she'd like to have some family pictures taken. especially some of little will. he's four months old, and she had gallbladder surgery very soon after. so the whole newborn stage came and went for them.

i got there and had NO IDEA how darling this family would be.

NO IDEA.

the husband ADORES his family. loves his wife. was a perfect prince to his princess. and clearly was smitten with his little man. and mama? well, she sets the tone of the home. a warm, inviting, calm and peaceful home. where everyone is loved.

oh, and the clothes. typically, i don't comment much on clothes. but oh my. they were all straight out of the jcrew/crewcuts catalog. no, seriously. so incredibly awesome.

we had an absolute ball together. and now when i go to my friend's house, i have one more person i get to say hello to.

thanks, A family. sure do think you're fabulous!

oh my. how can you be six?

i have no idea how i'm going to make it through this without weeping. not because i'm sad. (well, actually, i am sad. but that's not why i'm teary tonight.)

big h. you're six. and i absolutely could NOT be any prouder of you. my buttons are going to pop.

what an amazing young man you are and have become.

dad and i have been doing some spring cleaning (in october), and we came across something that was really tough but also really great. tough to read because of the content. but great. to read how far you've come. :) it was two days before you were born and two to three weeks after. it was rough. period. we had a tough time. a really tough time. your dad and i got a LOT closer. wow, God is good.

last year, when i wrote this letter, i told myself, "i can't believe that next year i'll be writing a letter to my little man who will be in KINDERGARTEN!!!!!" and this year is here. and you are in kindergarten.

{moment of silence for me}

so, an update on kindergarten. big h, it started off rough. people may have noticed that i never really put up anything on the blog about the beginning of your kindergarten experience. there was a reason for that. you had a tough start. you are so sensitive. which is one of your best character traits. but in a sea of boys you don't know, that didn't help you at all. dad and i finally went and talked to your teacher during the second week of school to talk with her about partnering with her in making your kindergarten experience a good one. we found out that mrs. b knows Jesus. and i'll be honest...i cried once i got in the car after learning that information. we prayed all summer long for your teacher and your classmates. that God would be gracious with you/us as He handpicked those people. and wow, He was. we adore your teacher. and you like her a lot, too. and word on the street is that she thinks you're pretty great. :) you've made some good friends. but most importantly, you've been kind to others. you experienced others calling you names and others throwing rocks/sticks. but we talked through those behaviors and how they weren't kind. we talked about the golden rule. you amaze me with your reasoning and your logic. the boy who threw a stick at your face during your first week of school got in trouble, but you seemed to spend time with him at the beginning of the year. you said two things that struck your dad and me as so incredible. first, (after a lot of rotten things happened to you on the playground) you said, "mom, you know...i just don't think recess is for me." and after spending time with 'boy who threw a stick at your face and constantly gets in trouble,' you said, "you know, mom. i was going to be best friends with C, but i'm not sure best friends throw sticks at each others' faces. huh?"

i couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry. wise, little man.

the shows you like right now are: spiderman, amazing spiderman, the sweet old 70s classic spiderman and his amazing friends, batman (sensing a theme, here?), max and ruby, penguins of madagascar, wow wow wubbzy (specifically wubb idol), transformers (which i don't let you watch, but dad has. twice.), olivia (you LOVE olivia), harold and the purple crayon, and martha speaks.

you have always been our early riser. but this year has been tough, even for you. i get you up, or you're already up, by at least 7. you watch a show in our bed (usually martha speaks or harold and the purple crayon). i love martha speaks and really wish i could lay in bed and cuddle and watch it with you. but i'm sad to say that those days are gone. not because you don't want to cuddle anymore. but because you have school. and i have things to do to get us ready to be out the door. :( (one reason i would contemplate homeschooling)

i bring you breakfast. your favorites are any member of the eggo family (muffin tops, regular eggos, etc) or sausage biscuits. you eat them in our bed, which really grosses me out, but i love knowing that you start your day cuddly and warm, doing something that gets you ready for your day. or i'm a pushover. whatever you want to call it.

i pick out your clothes. you can do it. but honestly...it's something i still like having control over. plus, if it were still up to you, you would wear a lego batman or a captain america t-shirt everyday. no, seriously...EVERY. DAY. so because you don't argue about it, i dress you. thank you.

once you finish breakfast and your show, it's usually time to go. you put your lunch box in your backpack, and we're out the front door. dad stays home with goo so you and i can walk together. your school is two dinky, little blocks from our house. so unless it's raining, we walk. and big h, please know that this tops out as one of the best parts of my day everyday. we walk together, talking about what you are going to do at school that day. or who you think you'll play with at recess. or how there was no one absent the day before. we talk. and that's all that matters. and just when we reach the last stop sign before the school, i ask you "what/who should we pray for today?" your answers make me laugh or tear up. sometimes, it'll be that no one throws sticks. or that everyone obeys the teachers. or that lunch is fun. or that you'll get to do cool stuff at center room. other times, you'll say that you'd like to pray for certain friends because they have been sick or absent. you pray a lot for that same boy that threw a stick at you at the beginning of year. that he would make good choices. and one day, i even picked you up, and the first thing you said was, "mom. C had a great day. didn't get his folder signed!" (folder signed means you had a "behavior issue.") i walk you all the way up to the front door, and we say amen together. then, i hug and kiss you because you still let me. and i tell you i love you, and you say it back. and i walk away either overjoyed or teary. and teary only because i'm going to miss you.

no, i don't have co-dependency issues. i just miss being together sometimes.

you are getting to be SO MUCH FUN as you get older. it's bittersweet, though. because the toddler years were so hard for us/me, and you and i were together ALL THE TIME. and now, you are so much fun, and we are together a lot less. and so i've realized that i make the most of our time in the mornings and afternoons.

goo misses you like crazy. she's only come with me once to walk you to school. there's a reason she's only come once. it didn't end well. she cried so hard. so we decided not to do that again.

every so often, i bring you mcdonalds for lunch at school, and it is always the highlight of my day. i meet you right outside the office. you come out of the kindergarten hallway and run towards me and hug me. i love it so much. we either sit at the parent table or the table that you normally sit at. we sit with your friends, and i get to talk to them.

now, i know why your lunch doesn't get finished sometimes. you are quite the chit chatter at lunch. wonder where you get that.

goo and i pick you up from school right outside your classroom door. you are considered a "walkup" kid. there are different ways the kids at your school leave. they either go in a line with a teacher out to the bus. or they go out to the back to the carpool line. i've always heard such horror stories about carpool lines. and since we live so close, i decided against it. i pick you up with normally a snack. usually pretzels and some form of juice box. on the days goo is in school, i pick her up from school and then head your way. we park at the school and then walk up to get you.

and everyday you run to me, almost knocking me down. and the reason i keep noting these cheesy things is because i just know there will be a time where you don't do these things. so i want to remember.

in the afternoon, we do your homework and you play legos or play with goo. or sometimes we'll run errands together. nothing major. and then when i start making dinner, you and goo get to watch two shows together. you ALWAYS let her pick at least one of her shows. and you never really watch. but you sit next to her anyway. dora, diego, etc. and then i let you pick one. and you NEVER pick any of your superhero shows because you say "they might be a little too scary for goo. we can watch something we both like."

and i pinch myself.

and go on about my business.

you are an INSANELY picky eater. but here is what you like. popsicles. which is new. pasta. really any kind of carb. but pasta. a friend introduced us/you to pasta, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. and it is a STAPLE in our house. has been a staple in your lunchbox since you started going to MDO. (yes, i sent you with heated lunches at MDO.) pizza. hamburgers with mustard and LOTS OF PICKLES. quesadillas with cheese and black olives. couscous. though we don't call it couscous around here because i'm afraid you'll decide you don't like it. hot dogs. blue things on babysitter nights. (blue things being kid cuisines frozen dinners.) you like absolutely NO FRUIT. none whatsoever. you like strawberry banana smoothies from the mall (and only from the mall), but no fruit. weird. and really? as for veggies? carrots (raw) and corn. you like grilled cheese and chicken nuggets. if we tell you you can pick where we eat for dinner on a saturday night, you ALWAYS say chipotle. which is funny because what you get there is rice and cheese in a bowl. and the rice has cilantro on it. and you don't bat an eye. you call it rice with green stuff. ?? you like most juices. you don't do a lot of milk anymore. you love chocolate milk and you like white milk, but as for asking for milk on a regular basis? not so much. you like juice, and you love sonic's apple juice slushes, even though you don't ever finish one. you've been known to go to sonic or anywhere else and order "a ice cold glass of water. mmmm hmmm. delicious."

you wear mostly size 6 clothes and size 13 shoes.

you have the most BEAUTIFUL hair. in fact, everyone of your teachers has commented that they would like to bottle up your hair color and sell it. you have reddish brown hair, and it is awesome. thick and grows fast (unlike your sister, bless her heart.)

you sleep like a crazy person. it is rare to find you asleep in your bed with the covers on and your head on your pillow. you are ALL OVER the place. and you're still my earlier riser. and boy, do you break out all kinds of stall tactics at night. dad and i get quite a kick out of them. :) you are definitely a very heavy sleeper. different than your sister.

i can't believe you are starting to read. and you are having SO MUCH FUN doing it. i started putting notes in your lunchbox the first day of school, and you asked me what it said. i read, "hi H. have a good day. i love you. love, mom." and you asked me recently why i did that. and i said, "because i knew there would come a day this year when you would be able to start reading the notes." and you can. and you love it.

because this is my blog, and the only people required to read are me, your dad, and your two grandmothers, i'm going to brag really quickly. your teacher loves you. your music teacher and your art teacher and the school nurse :) and all of the other kindergarten teachers love you. they say that you say kind things to other kids. that you are excited when cool things happen to them. that you obey the rules. (not a big shocker...you LOVE rules and wonder why others don't love them as much.) and that you are just a very happy, easy going kid who everyone likes to be around.

i can't think of anything that makes me more honored to be your mother.

you love your sister. you are annoyed with her lately. (but shhh... so am i.) she's at a tough age, and it's sad when she can't reason as well. but even still you love her and you treat her with respect. you encourage her when she tries new things. you watch shows you don't like just so you can sit next to her (while playing with your legos). you constantly say, "who's my girl" like an old man. but i love it. and i never want you to stop. you say, "give your big brother a hug." and once in a blue moon, you'll put her to bed. you take her little trinkety toys to her, her little cup of water, and her muh. then, she asks you to sing the bedtime trifecta, which consists of twinkle twinkle little star (or frinkle frinkle yittle tar), abc song, and go tell it on the mountain. and you do it with joy (and quite a bit of gusto). :) and then (because we eavesdrop) you say, "ok goo, let's talk to jesus. dear jesus. thank you for this day. thank you for my sister. thank you that she had a good day at school and that she didn't get in trouble. thank you for her muh. that it's her favorite friend. thank you for her toys. and thanks for me. that i'm a really good big brother. oh, and for mom and dad. in YOUR NAME WE PRAY. amen. good night, goozer. sleep good."

and you come out and shut her door, only to find me crying.

(seriously...i promise i don't cry that often. just writing this makes me full of joy.)

you love singing. not many kid songs. you like to rock out. your favorite song is "dance dance dance and sing out loud" which is a song you learned at church and that now we have on CD. your other two favorites are brick house by the commodores and blame it on the boogie by MJ. and you can do the robot like nobody's business. you've got rhythm, dude.

i call you little man, big h, buddy, and dude. or hey usually works.

you always please and thank you and yes ma'am. which i love. you still give a lot of hugs. and wow, are you a great hugger.

you love your "sunday school" teachers. they are a young couple who are very hip in your eyes. you have really enjoyed kindergarten church this year. you're learning verses left and right, and you love to carry your bible to church now. most of the time you want to carry it in the box it came in. i love that.

you still love rules and structure. you love being prepared for everything. "big h. ten minutes until we get in the car." or "hey. after you do that, will you come here for a second?" you crave routine. and i love that.

you love dr. g. though, not as much because you got the flu shot at your last appointment. but at your six-year checkup, you made him a picture book of you two going to a restaurant to get something to drink. apple juice slush, i'm sure.

i probably won't write any more of these. at least on my blog.

but big h, i can't begin to tell you how proud i am of who you're becoming. what an incredible little man you are. you are thoughtful, joyful, and you love life to the fullest. like i said, it is a true honor to be your mama. happy six years. i love you little man.

*** unless you are nana/papa or grandma/grandpa, you are NOT required to watch this. i had no idea it was so long. but i love having to be able to show him later. ***

happy birthday big h from dad wisner on Vimeo.

happy halloween

the marshalls

loving facebook these days.

i can't believe i just said that.

through facebook, i got back in touch with a friend of my brother's from high school. she told me to call her if i was ever in her area. that she'd love some family pictures.

and so, we did. i had SUCH an awesome time. first, it was great just getting to see her again. i'm embarrassed at how long it's been since i've seen her. let's just say YEARS. since i saw her last, she became a wife and a mommy.

i loved her husband. wait. let me rephrase. i loved getting to hang out with her husband and watch how much he ADORES his wife and his children. and her children? super cool. i say that because they're boys, and i'm pretty sure 'darling' doesn't quite work.

but i don't know what it is lately with all of the INSANELY POLITE children i've gotten to meet. wow. there are some parents out there knocking it out of the ballpark.

we had so much fun. i met up with them downtown and we just walked around looking for fun places to play. and play, we did.

marshalls, i had a BLAST with you. thanks for letting me hang out with you guys.