I swear you have grown another inch in the last month. It is possible, after all you grew 2 inches since September. It seems like every day a little bit more of the baby falls away and a little boy emerges. Growth reveals itself in the way you speak and interact. The scrapes and bruises that mottle your legs illuminate a boy who is still learning how his limbs work...not because you are too wild, but just a tad impulsive and clumsy. Your little voice is so very sweet. The first day I hear it crack in adolescence I will probably cry.
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| Watching the new sign construction. |
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| Learning Fire Safety |
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| Muffins for Mom |
For Muffins for Mom & Mother's Day you gave me the sweetest artwork and a card about how I am Super Mom. You said that at work I show my powers when I preach. Melt my heart. You also said I was five years old and my best dish is Mac & Cheese. You know me SO well.
As the season grew warmer we got out a bit to play. One Saturday while Daddy was working we went downtown early to the Peter Pan Playground and I convinced you to try out the fountains in Elmwood Park. It wasn't long before you were drenched and laughing hysterically.
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| Downtown |
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| Elmwood Park Fountains |
We ended the school year with your birthday week. Yes, you are following in Mommy's footsteps of stretching birthdays as long as possible. On your actual birthday you opened your gift from your parents--the long desired Darth Vader Mr. Potato Head. After school that day the staff at church brought you a cake and a huge Paw Patrol balloon that is STILL floating in our house. The next day was a party at school for you and a couple of other students with summer birthdays. We baked sugar cookies and took sprinkles for you and your friends to decorate them. That evening was the big surprise we had kept secret for months--Beba and Papa got you tickets to see Paw Patrol Live. You had a great time at the show and can recount for us the story line in detail. You were not so thrilled to meet them, scared of the big costumes, but that is okay! I am so thankful to all your grandparents for providing these memories of Daniel Tiger and Paw Patrol for you.
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| Birthday Morning |
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| Love from the staff |
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| Paw Patrol with Mom, Dad, & Beba |
The following Saturday we threw you a Curious George Birthday Bash at the church. I am thankful that we had it there because it started to rain while we were playing outside so we were able to come in and utilize the hula hoops and pool noodles for games while we waited for the Pizza to arrive. When not engaged in an activity you all had fun just running laps around the fellowship hall. Grams & Papa Bass came, as did Beba & Papa, and your Great Aunts & Uncle and cousins. Grams made your birthday cupcakes. Of course the highlight for you was opening gifts, all your friends surrounded you to observe and even helped you with the wrapping paper a few times. So many fun things to play with, it took all afternoon to open them all up and play. The nap after that was glorious.
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| Birthday Bash |
Last weekend we played with Dalton and went to story time at the mall. You guys were so hyped up to see each other. The following day we went to the Miller's pool party where you all enjoyed swimming together. I am glad that you are happy to play in the water now and look forward to you learning how to swim.
This week Meredith & Nick came and stayed overnight with us. You really loved building your new lego set they gave you with Aunt Mert. They also gave you a cool tent to play in--but it is missing some pieces so we can't build it just yet. Yesterday on Daddy & Mommy's day off we went to the Glazed Bisque-It and painted pottery. Daddy wanted us to replace his Christmas Gift that got broken. A fun family outing that actually had minimal mess.
Our afternoons and evenings have brought playground trips, chalk art & scooters in the driveway, water play and library books. And lest I be accused of being a person who paints the perfect picture of life on social media (ask me in 15 years what fake news means) the transition from school to summer hasn't always been stellar. We are lucky to have Beba & Papa hanging out with you a lot this summer, and teenage friends to hang out with you some beginning next week-- but you and I have butted heads several times in recent days. There has been defiance (yours), there has been yelling (mine), and there have been tears (ours). But I have to remember that transitions are difficult and the change from seeing friends every day to summers off is very different. So, there you have it--I try not to dwell on the negative moments but we do have them.
We have Vacation Bible School, two summer camps, and a beach trip to look forward to in the coming months. Here's hoping your shorts won't get too short, your hair won't get too long, and we can find you some sandals that hold up in this wild season we call summer.
Dressing yourself, selecting your own snacks, and eating cereal on the couch: "Because I am four years old so I can do it."
Love you, Bear.
Mom
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