Amelia is 3!!! (Closer to 4 now, oops.)

Dear Amelia,

My apologies about the amount of time it has taken me to write this, but again...you don’t know that! As I write this, you are closer to 4 (how is that even possible?). I’m so glad I keep notes on my phone and have ALL THE PICTURES to reminisce about the year you went from two to three.  I will say this:  you are a force.  You feel deeply, you know what you want, you are kind and cute and funny and oh-so-brave.  It’s something to behold.  We love you so stinkin’ much!!!

I did make a note of your stats:

32.5 lbs

39.5”

When I took you for your well visit, they did a hearing and vision test and you did great.  It was so cute to see you in those little headphones!

You love the beach!!!  

You got really into princesses and girly stuff!  I’ve been so used to cars, trains, and trucks (which you still play with), I had to remember how to play girly!  You are very “No!  Me do it.”  Which is really cute unless you really can’t do it, then it creates a meltdown, but we survive.  You now LOVE lemonade (and any drink really - tea, coffee, juice, kombucha) and adore to change cups all day long.  You asked if lemonade was in my mommy milk, ha! You also love shoes.  You notice them in stores, on other little girls, and just like to wear them around the house.

You started sleeping with blankets and one of them is my baby blanket.  While Oliver’s favorite is Monkey, you don’t care.  Any animal is fine.  You also would throw them out of your crib instead of napping.  Then you’d fuss to see if I’d come get them for you.  I WON, ha!  You eventually stopped doing that.

You love museums just like the rest of us.  AND you added lots more states to your list.

Whispering jibberish in our ears is really fun for you.  You’re not phased if I raise my voice or timeouts.  Not scared of us, either.  Dressing up in costumes is a delight and to see what you come up with, well, I will cherish these pictures.  The favorite books this year were Snow Day and Red Hat, Oops.  

This was the last night I rocked you before we left the Old House.  TEARS.

We accidentally started potty training!  You were ready and did amazingly well. And you even went through a time where you would tell me, “Good job, Mama” when I’d go and even tried to wipe me.  I drew the line with that one.  You like slime and successfully got it in your hair. 

You love being outside and doing whatever Oliver does.  You also like to pester him, which comes with the territory, I guess.

We moved out of the house that we brought you home to.  That was tough.  You didn’t have as hard of a time as Oliver did, but you’d definitely cry.  You still call Summer, Yummah.  After we left, you not only officially got out of the pack ‘n’ play, but you stopped asking for Mommy Moot.  I wasn’t ready, but so glad I let you say when.

You love to play with makeup with me.  You think mascara is just scara.  So, My-scara, Your-scara, Big-scara. Hahaha!!!  Favorite movies of the year Were Frozen and The Greatest Showman.  Your reading became explaining each page and acting it out.  Adorable!  You are quite a ham and make Oliver laugh so much.

You said in your broken speech, "When I grow up, I'll marry someone like you."  You said this to Daddy and he broke down.  You also say "Oweo is mine!"

You went to your first wedding and have been enamored with weddings since. 

You love back rubs, arm rubs, dancing, and want to be a princess when you grow up and have pink and blue hair.  

Amelia Donn, I don't know a lot but I know this:  you will do great things.  You are strong minded and strong willed and smart and kind and adorable.  We love you more than words can say.  You are our favorite, best girl!!

Oliver is 5!! (and a half - actually closer to 6 - oops)

Dear Oliver,

Oh, my sweet boy.  As I type this, I'm listening to the music I would play a lot when it was just you and me playing upstairs in the old house.  It is taking me back and there's a lump in my throat from just how fast this is all going.  Mothering you is a joy, it is hard, it is a blessing. 

YOU. ARE. FIVE.  I'm not sure how it happened.  This one was tough for me. 

The night before your birthday, I held you a little longer...a little tighter and tears started filling my eyes.  I told you just how much I love you and I wish you wouldn't grow so fast, but that it is a joy to see you get big!  Well, you started crying, too, and asked, "Will you still hold me when I'm 5?"  100% YES, my boy.  Always.  

You had so much growth this year!  I don't know your weight or height (my bad), but I can tell you you are long and lean like always.  AND EAT ALL THE TIME.  Such a growing boy.  

You really started to like coloring and holding pens and pencils better!  Workbooks are so fun for you and that's kind of what we did for preschool.  We also started working on saying your Ls and you caught on so fast!  

I started singing Fishing in the Dark and you loved it immediately.  You know every word.  That song will now forever remind me of lying in bed with you at night.  

*pause to wipe away tears*

Our yard had lots of ladybugs and for a long time you were scared to touch them.  Well, you conquered that fear and started to seek them out on the big tree in the middle the backyard.  Ladybug and "lowly worm" (earth worm) hunting filled lots of our days.  You still love to dig in sand, mud, dirt, rocks.  Kinetic sand, oobleck, moonsand.  Whatever!  It's a favorite.  

And LEGOS.  You are committed and are so good!  You got to the place where you didn't need much help putting lego sets together.  And you love symmetry when you build.  It's amazing to see how your mind works.  Also, Transformers have secured a place in your heart...at least for now.  And you like to transform your own body using sound affects with various movements and poses.  

One day, you made a wish while blowing on a dandelion.  I asked what you wished for and you replied, "That God keeps the people safe and makes them happy and joy."  Your first VBS (which you called - and still call - PBS) was a blast for you. (I cried when I dropped you off the first day because I am a crazy person.)  We'd sneak in the back during the end and it was fun to see how you act when we're not around.  Just as I suspected:  class clown. You love to make other kids laugh...usually using physical humor.  Going to other churches and classes all the time does not phase you.  You still get butterflies (I do, too), but a lot of times, you come out saying you taught kids how to do something.  "I taught the other kids how to camouflage."

We started learning memory Bible verses and your mind baffles me.  You catch on so quickly and are up to 8 or 9 verses.  Sometimes you make up your own.  Ha! That's not how it works, but it's cute anyway.

The hardest thing for me, as a mama, was to see you so sad after we left Nashville.  I did not expect that since we've always left.  You felt it, though.  You knew you weren't going to be living next to your best bud.  You cried off and on for a couple weeks and you still cry from time to time.  

I pray you are always sensitive.  (That's my favorite thing about your daddy, by the way.)  And I pray you always feel ok to share and tell us you're sad.  Or angry.  Or frustrated.  Your parents have big feelings, so hopefully we can guide you.  

You fell in love with Carrollton while we toured with them...specifically electric guitar.  But also, you like the Austin Powers soundtrack! You also started earning $1 with load in and load out.  We're trying to teach you money management since that cash burns a hole in your pocket. 

You added more states and got to see lots of new things last fall.  You love big cities and museums!  And adored the metro in DC.

YOU LOST YOUR FIRST TOOTH!  You did not want us to pull it.  It was barely hanging on and you ended up swallowing it while eating pizza.  The tooth fairy came to Florida and gave you an extra $1 for pain and suffering.  

Out of nowhere while on the beach with Daddy, you said to him, "When I'm a daddy, I want to fix broken airplanes to make them fly again."  You have maintained this goal since then, but sometimes you change to: Geologist or Archeologist or Paleontologist or Artist.  Your mind is amazing. 

Amelia looks up to you so much.  You are a wonderful big brother!  Y'all expertly push each other's buttons, yes, but for the most part, the affection and adoration you two have is so sweet.  I pray y'all keep that bond and stay close forever.   

The things that come out of your mouth are astounding and hilarious and wise beyond your years.  Here's some quotes, some questions, some words said in your own way:

Dark Vader (Darth Vader)
Octimus Pride (Optimus Prime)
Livlary (library)
Actorbats (acrobats)
Circust (circus)
Constructions (instructions)
"Your feet smell like yogurt"
"Why do some animals not have ears?"
"Are bears extinct?"
"Will there be girls there to chase?"
"How many beaches are on the earth?"
"When I'm 18, I'll have my party at Disney World."
"I have a collection of monster noises."
"Does water go in my tummy, then boil, then make teetee?"
"Sometimes we talk about science when we watch."
"Mommy, thank you for all you do."

And looootttttts of quotes about your private. But to respect you, I'll leave those off this post and email them and have them in a special folder for when you turn 18.  My word. 🙈😅

Oliver Tuck, you really are special.  Your sensitivity and brilliant mind are amazing.  You can tell if someone is upset.  If I'm having a bad mommy day, you are quick to cuddle me and say, "Mommy, I love you."  You make friends extremely easily which is a trait I pray you always have.  I love you so much it hurts and am SO PROUD to be your mommy! 

Remember:  Don't eat your boogers.

Love,
Mommy