Dear Mom

Well Mom - its been four years.
The hardest part about losing you was knowing that you wouldn't be around to see my kids grow, get to play with them, or boast about their accomplishments. I've especially found it hard not having you around to answer all my mothering questions. Plus I've grown to appreciate you more and more with each baby I have, and I can't even express my gratitude to you. I miss talking to you and I really miss your hugs. Since I know you've been anxious to find out more about what you're missing, I wanted to update you on some of your favorite grandkids...

Paige age: 7
favorite color: all of the colors
favorite food: Pasta Roni, spaghetti, ice cream and cake
favorite show: Wild Kratts
favorite book: All kinds of Princesses
favorite toy: Barbie Pony Vet

Paige is really such a helper at home. Weekends and school breaks are so much better than the normal day because Paige is home. It's taken me a while to figure out why, but its because she plays with Levi and Ashby so well. Often times she is trying to be the peacemaker (or the mom), but mostly she teaches them how to play pretend. Lately it is in the form of building forts, which they use as a cave to pretend to be night furies [that's a kind of dragon, in case you haven't seen How to Train your Dragon yet], or they pretend to be kitty cats. Its quite fun to watch them all play together. When Paige is gone the boys just fight and fight and we all miss her.

Unfortunately Paige is not perfect. What am I suppose to do about her constant need for attention? At school she gets in trouble constantly for talking out of turn. She often has to miss recess, she has come home with numerous notes from her teacher, and even phone calls during or after school. I'm the mom, but I honestly have no idea what to do, I wish I could ask your advice. Its not much better at church. Its pretty much impossible to get her to sit reverently. The only way for her to hold still is for her to bring a notebook to draw in. She loves to draw and it makes my life easier, but I'm afraid she is missing out on important lessons.

Paige has surprised me a lot recently though. She is starting to be more in tune with the spirit and asking important questions. Her prayers are more thoughtful and she loves to bear her testimony. The other night she paused in her prayer, which she said was so that she could listen for an answer, and we talked a lot about doing things that would help us have the spirit in our life. Another night she came out of bed to tell me that she had a warm feeling in her heart after reading stories from the Friend. Hopefully she is on the right path for preparing to be baptized this year.


Ashby age: 4 1/2
favorite color: Orange
favorite food: Spaghetti, lasanga, ice cream
favorite show: Avatar
favorite book: Skippy Jon Jones
favorite toy: Transformer helicopter

Ashby is really talented. Anything he wants to do he can do it well. He is especially amazing at sports and was the leader on his soccer team this year. He is also a fantastic singer. Totally on key with any song. But don't try to get him to do something if he doesn't want to. Ashby is like Jekyl and Hyde. He has moments of brilliance, but a lot of the time this year you can see his facial features change and he yells, "No!" and that is that. Ugh! It is so frustrating. The saying at our house goes, "when Ashby ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." But when he has a good day it is a fabulous day.

Ashby absolutely loves Cody. He is really good with him, but that poor baby has gotten so many hugs and kisses that its too much of a good thing. We are trying to teach him that there are other ways to play with a baby that are more appropriate. You can usually find Ashby with his pointer finger in the air meaning one more kiss after I've told him that's enough.

I can't get Ashby to eat anything. He is so picky. He hardly ever eats dinner even if I know he will love it. He won't even give it a chance. Another thing that is so frustrating.

This year Ashby is in two preschools. One is the neighborhood coop with four other kids and the other is an online preschool called Upstart. Both are so beneficial. Upstart is amazing! So entertaining and educational and he loves to play it. The best part is that he can sit and play it all by himself which gives me time to feed the baby or do the dishes or a hundred other things.


Levi age: 2 1/2
favorite color: Orange
favorite food: PB and Honey sandwiches
favorite show: Rusty and Rosy ABC's
favorite book: Playtime Baby, Blueberries for Sal
favorite toy: Ball

This has been a year of development for Levi. He started the year just screaming and crying to get our attention and is now using complete sentences - with a little screaming in between. But it seems like his vocabulary is doubling every day. Levi copies everything his older siblings (which is often a bad thing, unfortunately). He picked up on riding a riding scooter easily and he loves to run around and soccer and T-ball. His favorite outdoor activity is riding his wiggle care. He is so fast on that thing.

Levi has the loooongest eyelashes. Everybody everywhere comments on his eyelashes. They are so long they kind of make his eyelids sag. But they are definitely gorgeous. But I think his smile is what really melts everyone's hearts. It is infectious.

We have been really lucky with Levi because he has never given us any trouble about going to nursery. He walks right in there without even saying goodbye and stays without any problem.

Levi loves to make up songs and sing in his bed when he should be sleeping. If he wakes up singing you know its going to be a good day.

You've always said that if a toddler is able to draw circles then they are ready to be potty-trained. Well, Levi has been drawing circles for at least 6 months, but I'm not so sure about the potty thing. Maybe he is ready, but I don't think I am ready. Pretty soon though. I talk to Levi about it a lot, but it is a big commitment on my part, so I think I'll wait till he is begging for it.

The thing is that I feel bad for Levi. He gets all the leftovers - clothes, toys, activities and my time. The poor kid hasn't gotten to do tumbling or swimming or soccer or any thing the older have done. I don't know if I'm giving him the attention he needs and it makes me sad. How am I supposed to do it all?


Cody
age: 4 months

Cody grew over night. He is getting chubby cheeks and little rolls on his legs. I love when a newborn turns into a baby. So fun! He is really a good baby. He sleeps between 10-12 hrs at night but still keeps me guessing on what his nap schedule will be. Lately Cody has been loving sucking on his fists. He is starting to grasp toys, but mostly he enjoys watching his mobile. He laughs more and more each day and is cooing and gurgling and smiling and talking to us. We're coming on the really fun, playful age.