"Santa! And Rudolph!"

K--

It's been Christmas here, pretty much since Thanksgiving! We had a lovely Thanksgiving together with all your grandparents and Uncle Ray.  While we stuffed ourselves with delicious food you basically wanted to get up and play. The weather was nice enough that afternoon for a visit to the Duck Pond with Papa Tate and Beba.  Grams gave you an awesome nativity set made out of cloth (indestructible) and a set of Lincoln Logs.  We spent several days building farm houses so you could put the animals from the nativity in their fences. It is amazing to see your imagination come alive.  One of my favorite moments was hearing you sing, "Old MacDonald" while building your farm.

Before things got too crazy for Christmas at work, I took time to put up the Christmas decorations one day while you were at school (That was the first time, we had to redo it a few weeks later when all the lights went out on the tree). On the way home that evening you were so thrilled to see people's decorations.  You would exclaim, "there's decorations, that's exciting!"  You were so surprised when we got home, "That's Christmas tree in my house!"  Needless to say, I've spent the last month saying, "Don't touch the village!" and "Get off the tree!"  But to be fair, not always fussing at you, Sirius did plenty.


You've spent lots of time playing with Grams and Papa Bass, who took you to visit Santa.  You also visited at Papa and Beba's house a few times, playing with your cars and racetrack until you wore yourself out.  Papa Tate built you a new stool for the bathroom so you're really into washing your hands and happier to brush your teeth.  You have done well at school and seem to be quite happy, especially on music and spanish days.  But, mornings have been difficult as you do not want to leave the house to actually go to school.  We've been home for four days now, so we will see what tomorrow will bring when it is time to go back to school.


We celebrated Christmas with the Mitchell's first.  You got the present opening bug! The Zoo and Daniel Tiger Trolley Car were a big hit.  You have yet to stop playing with them. You liked your Zoo from Aunt Mert and Uncle Nick so much, they ordered you some more animals and a train to go with it, which you opened Christmas Day.


On Christmas Eve, you and Daddy came to the early, family oriented service at church.  This was your first experience staying in worship since you were really small.  As a pastor's kid, I think you believe you own the place.  So, after wrapping yourself all around me while doing a baptism, and then beating on the drum set, you were a live wire when we were trying to tell the nativity story on a flannel board with all the other children.  I wonder what life will be like when you outgrow the nursery?

Santa (and Rudolph, because they are an inseparable team) was good to you.  You got a new train set, a soccer ball, and Daniel Tiger's house under the tree.  That's in addition to the other books and toys to be found there.  After church we went down to Papa Tate and Beba's house for Christmas with the rest of the family.  You got power tools and puzzles, cars, and bath toys.  You keep showing us things and saying, "that really cool!"  You are loved by so many, son.  The hugs and kisses are the best part.

 

Today there is no work and no school.  We can all enjoy some quiet time beneath the Christmas tree.  That quiet being punctuated by the sound of a toddler's chain saw and the whistle of an animal train.   It looks like  a bomb exploded in our living room.  But, it won't be like this forever so I try to cherish every second.  Even the difficult ones, if I can remember.

 

You continue to grow taller.  You continue to use more and more words.  You continue to be independent and honestly, a little bossy.  But 90% of the time you are super cute while doing it.

We adore you,

Mommy

2.5

Kemper,

You're two and a half, TWO AND A HALF!  This blows me away.  Every day you look less like a toddler and more like a little boy.   You are growing taller and more independent each moment. This month has been a blur of warm days and leaves changing.  We've tried to enjoy some of your favorite things, the playground especially, before it becomes too cold.

I suspect the most fun we've had in the last month was Halloween, since you still ask me each day on the way home from school, "hal-weeeen?"  You were a terrific little pirate and Daddy and I enjoyed walking the neighborhood with you and going over to Papa Bass and Grams.  The best part is that you didn't really remember the candy you collected (wasn't too much) so I've been able to put it away and snack on it when needed. :)

You had a very good report from school a few weeks ago. You are a great kid and fun to have in class according to your teacher (we know).  You and your buddy Dalton tend to distract each other with silliness, but the way we see it, that's all part of having good friends.  We are so glad you play well with the other kids at school. You are very considerate and always help your friends up if they fall.  Compassion & empathy, both things the world desperately needs!  You're getting good at recognizing shapes and colors.  When you go to school some days you cry and don't want me to go, but when it comes time to pick you up, you don't want to leave your pals.

Time at church has been fun for you as well, you seem to enjoy being in Sunday School.  I love hearing you sing the songs Ms. Candace is teaching us.  I love hearing you sing any songs, actually.  It is just amazing to see your mind at work.  Even now you are singing Jingle Bells, the whole song! I don't even know how you know it all!

I sure do wish you'd go potty for us at home.  Last month you said you only go potty at Beba's house...but I think you gave up on that too.  Oh well, every time Daddy and I go potty we tell you we get a Marshmallow, but this has not enticed you yet. We continue to remind ourselves that no one graduates from high school in diapers.


favorite food: noodles
favorite thing to drink: apple juice
favorite thing to watch: animal george (the Curious George Movie) favorite animal: giraffes and lions

When asked tonight:
"What kind of animal are you?" Shark!
"What kind of animal is mommy today?" A...fish....
"What kind of animal is daddy?" A shark
This is awesome because in recent days I've been a Hippo and Daddy has been a duck.  We're moving up.


We are preparing for a few days with family for Thanksgiving. You've been out of school and had some fun with Papa & Beba and Daddy already this week.  Tomorrow we hope to go play with your cousin Bridget, who just turned two today! Daily I am reminded to be thankful because you bring so much joy and laughter in to our lives.  Even when we are sick and tired of being sick and tired, you bring us great happiness.

Thankful for these 2.5 years, that feel like only seconds have passed.  We love you and are so proud of the little person you are becoming!

Love,
Mommy

"Octover"

Dear bright-eyed son:

When I ask you what season it is, you say "fall."  When I ask you what month it is you say, "September" first.  When I correct your response you say, "It's Octover."  I can't help but understand your confusion as to what month it is, as I am shocked myself that we are already more than halfway through the month of October.

The month began with Mommy and Daddy driving to Wilmington, NC to get Aunt Jennifer & Uncle Matt hitched.  Despite Hurricane Matthew's impending arrival we were able to enjoy a wonderful (even if brief) celebration with some of our favorite friends.  While we were away you spent a few days with Papa Bass and Grams.  If I recall, you enjoyed special trips to the duck pond, and an endless array of delicious treats.   Over that same weekend Uncle Nick and Aunt Mert came for a visit.  You had a great time bonding with Aunt Meredith at the playground!  You are so lucky, Kemper, you have so many people who love you so much.



We celebrated Mommy's birthday with Papa Tate and Beba by going out to dinner.  You are becoming quite proficient in ordering dinner for yourself.  You and Daddy bought me beautiful flowers and a gift card to Starbucks which I will savor.  Not to mention a triple chocolate fudge cake.  You will find that the older you get the less exciting your birthdays become.  But, to be showered with love by your family and friends is the greatest gift to be given, no matter your age.

Daddy has cleaned out some of his bins in the basement and found lots of toys for you to play with! You have enjoyed racing new (to you) matchbox cars down the hallway, crashing dinosaurs on the coffee table, and generally throwing these toys from one end of the house to the other.  Do we really have to think about what to get you for Christmas?  ;)


We have had some fun fall adventures.  We have gone on several bike rides with you being chauffeured in your bright orange chariot! It is a shame that when the temperatures cool the days also get shorter so by the time dinner is done there is not much daylight for bike-riding.

The library and the playground are still favorite locations for playing.  You've been able to play at Penn Forest, Papa Bass' church and Mommy's church playgrounds.  A slide is a slide, but you can never go down too many times.



At school you and your classmates painted a pumpkin so naturally we had to paint the pumpkin Grams bought for you last week.  It was a lot of fun watching you add bright colors to the pumpkin. I'm not sure if we will carve it or not.  It is pretty cool just like it is.  We do have a pirate costume for you this year and you tried it on a few nights ago.  Time will tell how trick-or-treating is done this year.

You continue to enjoy school and interacting with your classmates.  Maya is still queen bee of your heart and Dalton is still your right-hand man.  I'm not sure how it happened but you managed to make someone jealous by holding hands with another friend and got scratched on the face last week.  I'm warning you now son, it might be best if you didn't play the field....

You've learned your colors very well over the past few weeks and can sing many songs.  You love to dance too.  You have been attending the toddler Sunday school class at church and I must say I've been amazed at how you have retained some details of the stories.  Yesterday, you knew the order in which 3 pictures of Moses went, from being a baby in a basket, to standing up to Pharaoh, to the leading the people out of Egypt.  Maybe it was just a lucky guess but you were very confident when you said it!  I prefer to think you are going to be a genius.

You've been Daddy's boy this week, from stories at bedtime to helping out in the kitchen, you've stayed by his side.  I can't say that I blame you, son, Daddy is pretty fun.  No one else plays hide and seek or wrestles on the floor quite like him.

You bring light and happiness into every face you meet.  You are our constant joy, bringing laughter to even the toughest of days.

We love you, kid.

Mommy

Mommy Falls Behind

Mr. Kemper,

By the time you are old enough to notice, you will not care one bit that this blog post is about 5 days behind the date I normally like to write them on (22nd of the month).  But, that is about me, not about you! We've had a full couple of weeks and I have not had ample time to reflect.  As with every month, you have grown by leaps and bounds it seems.  You talk more every day and form better sentences all the time.  For the most part you continue to be sweet and well-behaved....but occasionally you "show your age" as a 28 month old. Case in point: today after school you had a meltdown when your poptart broke and you couldn't put it back together. Serious crocodile tears. I was crying and laughing at the same time.

   You are getting taller as well and we just got you new shoes which you are incredibly proud of.  You couldn't wait to wear them to school and show your friends.  You handled your first time in Sunday school extremely well. You are quite the avid singer, particularly you like to sing the ABC's, Down By The Bay, and Old Mac.

You have had the opportunity to spend quality time with all of your grandparents in the last few weeks, enjoying the perks of being a grandchild with delicious foods, fun adventures, and new toys and clothes.  We are so, SO fortunate to have both sets of grandparents close by to help raise and nurture you.  You have also gotten to visit with Great Ray and his puppy Sandy, and Auntie Whitney. 

My favorite things you have said or done lately:

Mommy: What about a bear, what does a bear say?
Kemper: I'm a bear! I'm mommy and daddy's bear. 

Yes, yes you are!

Your daddy taught you to say, "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!" which you do with much gusto!

Daddy was away in Atlanta last week, which you proudly confirmed, "Daddy in At-yanta" Upon his return Daddy told you he missed you to which you replied, "I missed you too Daddy, but you had to work."  WOW!

Your latest interests have involved stickers and super heroes. You also like to play with cars and for a while there you were obsessed with chalk.  Top food remains firmly at mac and cheese (that's my boy). 



 I might have to stack some books on your head to slow down the growth... but we are enjoying every minute that we can of you growing into this sweet little boy. 

Much Love,
Mommy

"I Did It"

Kemper (or Pemper as you refer to yourself), 

"I do it."  "Pemper do dat."   These are words that are spoken regularly in our home these days.  But my favorite of all is when you run to one of us, grinning ear to ear and say, "I did it!" This typically happens when you have mastered something you once asked for help with such as taking lids off of Tupperware and removing your shoes. Proud moments like these are becoming increasingly more frequent and we are reminded daily how quickly you are growing up.  Just today I was told that you put your shoes on by yourself at school.  Last night you went to bed without your "paci" for the first time ever.  EVER! You didn't reach that goal tonight but I am not complaining.  

You are finally adjusting to your new class at school.  You no longer cry every morning and cling to me as I leave. You seem more comfortable to greet your teachers and friends.  I was even pushed out the door one morning this week. "Bye, Mommy!"  So, even on those days when you do turn on the water works, know that I am on to you kid.  I see you happy as a clam when I return in the afternoons.  I see you.

The highlight of the last month has of course been our much anticipated trip to the beach! We spent a week in Emerald Isle with your Papa Bass and Grams.  We got to spend a lot of time with your extended family too, taking boat rides with your Great Grandma, Aunt Ida, and your cousins! We had such a wonderful trip and I wish that I had written a special blog post about your first beach experience right after, or during the trip because your enthusiasm (and trepidation) were so palpable throughout the trip.  I will try to hit the highlights.

• The Ocean:  Everyone was so excited to get to the ocean we drove out to the beach upon our arrival about 9:00 PM on our first night.  You kept saying, "I go see ocean!" "I go to beeeeech." But when you actually saw it you were terrified.  Each time Papa Bass or Daddy put their feet in the water you screamed bloody murder, scared they would get hurt.  Your concern was so sweet but it made beach visits a little difficult.  Eventually you enjoyed playing in the sand and ultimately getting it everywhere.  You even got in the water just a tiny bit, mostly in the calmer waters of the sound.  Rest assured, after you experienced it you said, "I played in water! I swam in ocean with whales.  I did it!" As though this were the greatest joy of your life to date.  

• The Boats: Again, talking about the boat was an exciting prospect for you, but the execution at first was not so enjoyable.  But, in the end you did great.  You rocked your life-jacket like a pro!  I believe that Aunt Ida was very wise to bring your cousin Grayson, who is about a year older than you so that you could become friends.  Grayson is an accomplished seaman so he was pleased to show you the ropes.  We had much fun traveling by boat and jet-ski one day with Aunt Corinne & Uncle Jeremy and then the next day to Shackleford Island and Beaufort with family.  We even saw a few wild horses from afar.

• The Pool: I wasn't sure we'd get you into the pool at Aunt Ida's farm mid-week but we did! It took you a long while but eventually you clung to me less and the little float more.  Seeing your older cousins enjoying the water surely helped.  "I did it.  I swimmin!" 
• The Dock:  Fishing and Crabbing took place at home on the peaceful sound.  We put your life-jacket on each time you went out there to fish with Papa Bass and Daddy.  As with anything, fishing didn't hold your attention for long.  You did however enjoy going to see "cabs" and clapping your hands together like claws.  
• The Food:  You liked to order out at restaurants.  You loved to request "mac and cheese" from the waitresses before anyone else placed their orders.  This worked for you, you often got your meal first.  You also had zero qualms about ordering seconds.  :)
• The Aquarium:  In the two years of your life I have never seen you more excited and in awe of anything as you were in the aquarium.  We went with Daddy's cousin Jodi and her lovely family so that you all could play together.  I thought, "oh we'll keep him in the stroller."  That was a no go.  You bounced from one tank to the other, cutting through lines of tanned limbs and pressed yourself right up to the glass.  "Oh! Shark! Oh! Turtle!"  We also had to bring a dolphin stuffed animal home from the aquarium because your cousins had one at the beach house and we knew by your attachment we better have one in the car to come home.  

 

I am so very thankful to Bass and Debbie for arranging such a great trip for our family.  It meant a lot to us to have your grandparents there to help us with you.  It gave us an opportunity to have dates and special time with our friends while you did fun stuff with them.  We cannot thank Aunt Ida enough for opening her beautiful home to us.  It was truly a gift! We were blessed to have her and cousin Taylor to show us around the area so much.  We hope this will be the beginning of a stronger relationship between our families, it meant a lot to us to be with them. 

After such a fun trip it was hard for us to get back into a good routine, we wanted more vacation time! You also hurt your elbow somehow at school when we came back.  It's called nurse-maid's elbow and it was a very easy fix with a trip to the doctor.  It has made you more cautious in your play because now when I say, "be careful" you respond, "No fall down. No hurt elbow."  

 Last week Daddy had to travel for work to Atlanta but you and I managed with a little help from Papa Tate & Beba and Papa Bass & Grams.  We are so lucky! They made sure we were fed and entertained.  You enjoyed going to "get that Daddy airplane" on Friday night.  

You've brought us lots of laughs recently.  We love getting you to dance in the car, preferably to greatest hits of the 90's.  You've also been turning around and singing, "Shake yo' booty."  No idea who taught you that..... Your giggles are absolutely infectious.

Time will not slow, I know that.  We must try to enjoy you every moment we can.  You're a good kid, a great kid in fact.  We love you.  And we love hearing you say that back.

Love,
Mommy

"We're goin' to the beeeech"

Kempy,

We've had a pretty mundane month as it turns out.  Your parents have been slaving away at work each day, getting used to a new routine.  Meanwhile, you are in your second week of a new class at school.  It has been a tough transition for you. You get upset each morning when we walk down the hall by your old classroom, place your stuff in a new cubby and enter your new class.  I am told that you calm down five seconds after I leave and everything is peachy.  Why do you do this to Mommy!?  At least we knew your teacher already and you have lots of friends in the class who moved up before you.  Your BFF Maya joined the class this week so the Three Musketeers (Maya, Avery, and Kemper) are together again.  Lord help those teachers!

 

You have had several occasions to spend time with both sets of grandparents as Mommy and Daddy have had a few date nights and I went wedding dress shopping with Auntie Jennifer.  You really love playing with the great stuff at their homes, your water table and your outdoor cars. Not to mention they have the best snacks and you get to do whatever you want. :) 

We've had some fun times at the playground, at church, and general family silliness.  It brings us such joy (and some frustration) as you grow older and explore all kinds of things.  You also test your limits on many occasions.  You talk up a storm, and sing, and boss us around.  Last night I just wanted to relax on the couch but you insisted that I come "Play with Pemper in tunnel."  And so I did because you will only be small a little while longer and I must soak up your sweet, innocent joy while I can.  But seriously, stop throwing food on the ground!

Sunday we depart for the beach.  Daddy's enthusiasm has rubbed off on you and now you smile with glee and say, "We're going to the beeech!!"  I hope you enjoy it when we get down there.  Fingers crossed you like the sand and the ocean.  It will be nice to get away for a little while.  "Here we go, go, go, go on an adventure!"

 

 

Love you,
Mommy

Imagination Station

Kempy,

I am amazed at the ways you have developed in the last few weeks!  I am pretty certain that you have gotten taller as well!

We have had a full month since your second birthday celebrations.  Almost three weeks ago now we celebrated Mommy's ten year class reunion at Hollins University.  We had such fun seeing all our Auntie & Uncles.  You got to meet many Aunt's for the first time which was great fun.  We spent some quality time on campus, where you attempted to steal a golf car--this scored you major points in the cool department with your Aunts.  You made great pals with Uncle Matt and Uncle Mark too, way to go! I think you might grow as tall as them one day! You also helped to hold the sign in our class photo because you refused to miss a photo op.  If there are classmates who don't like that, so sorry.  We had some of our Hollins family stay at our house over the weekend.  Never dull at the Mitchell's, we had to call the Fire Dept. at 2 AM because one of our ceiling fan motors was going bad, got really hot and smoked up our whole house.  Again, another chance for us to be thankful we live in a great place, very close to Roa Co. Fire and Rescue stations.

After Reunion, Daddy left and went to California for 2 weeks to train for his new job.  We missed him a whole lot! Every day you asked, "Where's Daddy" a couple of times.  And each morning as we left the house you said, "Bye, Daddy!" as you do every other morning.  We stayed busy doing lots of things to distract us from having Daddy far away.  We spent time at Papa Bass and Grams House, had dinner with Papa Tate and Beba (before they went to Scotland), and spent our Saturday with Auntie Whit in Lynchburg.  We also went downtown and spent some time with one of your friends from school and his Mommy, such fun! Boy, were we glad when Daddy came home last weekend.  You've wanted him to do pretty much everything with you since he got back. "No, no Daddy do it." For Example: Daddy get the juice, Daddy make the snack, Daddy color the picture, Daddy dance in the car.  Daddy is still really busy with his new job which is going to be great.  We have been really spoiled to have him around so much for a while. We are getting into a good routine I think.

You have been talking up a storm the last few weeks.  Your ability to form little sentences and make sense of things has really taken off.  I have been amazed at your imagination in the last week alone.  One morning you brought me a stack of building blocks with a green one on top that you thought looked like a frog.  You came down the hall saying, "Hop, hop, hop. Look Mommy, my frog. Ribbit Ribbit!"  You have also really been enjoying building castles and towers out of these same blocks.  This morning you turned your cars up on their back wheels and said, "My dinosaur, Roar!" Last night in the yard you were catching imaginary bees and releasing them.  Pretty amazing.

I was so tickled to pick you up from school the other day and watch you put away the animal figures you were playing with. You had them all lined up in a row and you picked up each one, looked at it and said, "Bye Elephant, Bye Lion, Bye Giraffe" before dropping it in the box.

You have enjoyed playing in your new pool and the water table at Papa Bass and Grams house too.  Drawing with chalk is also a favorite pass-time.  You love to sing and know most of the words to "Bah Bah Black Sheep" and "Jesus Loves Me."  Dancing and running around in circles are great ways to blow expel energy.  I think you've done well at school lately, only a few times have you had time-out for playing too rough with your friends.You have been really great at drop off lately too, excited to go in and see your friends.  You have also spent a few afternoons with the older class and I think you will move up to the next class soon.  I can't believe you have been at this school a year to the day.  We will certainly miss your current teacher when you switch classes, you've been with her since September.


You still love to go out to eat and are still relatively well behaved when we are in restaurants.  You still love mac and cheese the best and Apple Juice is king in our house.  Cheetos are out (sort of), popcorn is in.  "Again. Again. Again."  "More. More. More."

It's VBS week in our house again, just as it was the week you began your new school last year.  Mommy is tired.  Time for bed little bear. We love you more than anything, thank you for being Mr. Cool.

Love,
Mommy