Angel

Dear Angel,

Happy Birthday!  It literally seems like yesterday that I was writing you a letter on your 6th birthday!  It truly seems that the years fly by with increasing speed with each year that passes!  Oh, how I long for time to stand still, so that I may enjoy you as you are at this moment!  You are spectacular!

1 year old

I heard a quote once that always reminds me of you: "A girl is innocence playing in the mud, beauty standing on its head, and motherhood dragging a doll by the foot."  You are precocious and wise beyond your years, yet innocent and naive. You are beautiful on the outside and inside, yet completely unaware of it, and unconcerned with keeping up appearances.  You are confident yet unassuming, strong and brave yet sensitive.

Age 2 (with a 6 month old Grins)

Earlier this year, you told me that someone in your class said to you, "You talk quiet."  I couldn't believe this!  I don't think I've ever heard you speak softly unless you were specifically trying to whisper.  It surprised me so much, because at home, you are bold, outspoken, and determined to make your opinions and voice heard by all, particularly if you perceive the least bit of injustice.  We are constantly reminding you to 'calm down', take a breath, and try to see things from someone else's view.  Your father and I often think you will be a lawyer or a judge - your need for justice and equality and your ability to argue your case are that strong!

Age 3

You excel in learning.  You are an excellent reader, writer, speller, and mathematician.  You love learning - you asked for a science kit for Christmas!  You enjoy playing the piano, dancing (you LOVED the ballet class you recently finished), singing, and crafting.  But I think that, if it were up to you, you would spend all of your time reading or drawing.  In fact, we often have to remove your books from you to help you focus on things like getting dressed or doing chores.  Your books and art supplies are your constant companions.  You especially like to draw pictures to portray how you are feeling.  If you are angry, you often will draw an angry person acting out or saying angry words, and then by the time you get it all out, you feel better and cross out the picture, and draw a happy one.  Your art truly is your therapy.

Age 4

You are fire and ice.  Incredibly dramatic.  When you are happy, you will do anything to obey and please me.  You are as sweet as can be.  It's as though you are floating on clouds, and you walk around smiling and singing.  When you are angry, there is no talking you out of it.  I must simply give you time to cool down, and let you come around on your own time, in your own way, on your own terms.  But fortunately your anger usually leaves just as quickly as it came, and you are back to your sweet, angel self. :)  One surefire way to dissipate your anger, though, is if someone is crying.  Your nurturing compassion simply can't stand to watch someone suffer or hurt, and you are always the first in line to comfort and console anyone in need!

Age 5

You are snuggly and cuddly, with the biggest heart I've ever known.  You treat all of your dollies and stuffed animals as if they were delicate newborn babies, and you can't bear to part with even the dirtiest, most ragged of them - as if they were living members of your family.  We've had to limit you to 2 at night - we would find your bed FULL of them, with scarcely enough room for you.  I asked you once why you insisted on having so many toys in bed, to which you responded, "They aren't toys.  They are people and animals.  They have feelings too, and they feel lonely and left out when they're just in the bin all night."  I remember thinking this too, as a young girl, and I love how you keep the magic alive in your heart.  We are working at channeling your creativity just a little, as you tend to get lost in your own thoughts.  But when your creativity is focused, it is intense and inspiring!

Age 6

You are smart, creative, artistic, and compassionate.  You are talented, loving, and strong.  You have many emerging strengths and characteristics which will serve you well in life.  I couldn't be more honored or grateful for the privilege and opportunity of being your mother.  You've taught me more in these past 7 years than I learned in the 23 years before your birth!  It is a joy to know you, and a blessing to love you!

Age 7 (almost) 

Love, Mommy

Angel turns 7!!

It is hard to believe that our Angel is 7 years old!  Where has the time gone?  And yet, I can't even fathom life without her!

Her birthday morning started out with a little snow storm and school cancellation (you can see the start of the snow on the back deck - I always keep the deck clean, so this was all fresh, and we got a few more inches throughout the day).  She was disappointed not to be able to go to school, but we managed to have a very fun day at home together, preparing for her puppy party!

Our 3-generation birthday tradition is choosing a breakfast cereal on your special day.  Not the healthiest tradition but at least it's only once a year!  She chose Lucky Charms! Yummmmy!

After breakfast, we got to work setting up for the party which would take place later that night!  Angel, the party-planner, was thrilled to be able to help (I would have done most of it during the day while she was at school).

I constructed a dog house out of a large box, and it proved to be time well spent!  The birthday girl and all of her guests enjoyed it immensely!  We are still enjoying it today, more than a week later!

Of course, assembling the 'doggie bags' was a lot of fun!  Grins and Angel love this sort of thing

Silly Angel wanted a picture of what went in the bags - dog bone necklaces, 'puppymint' BARK, puppy chow, loli pup, dog stickers, and doggie bookmarks.

After setting up for the party, Angel opened some gifts, we enjoyed some stories and games together, plus a lot of play time, and anxiously awaited the upcoming party!

Finally, the blessed moment came and guests began arriving.  (As a side note: Our family rule is that the birthday child may invite as many friends as years of age - so Angel was allowed 7 guests.  Of course, the decision making process was very difficult on her - there were several close friends she was sad to 'leave out' (though of course they didn't know about it) - but I was proud of her for making a little 'list', writing everyone she'd like to invite, and then systematically narrowing down the list.  She made special little notes to give to the friends she didn't invite to her party, inviting them for a playdate, or telling them she was glad they were her friend, since she felt badly about 'excluding' them...completely her idea.  She is so thoughtful and concerned with the feelings of others.)

First, guests were transformed into 'puppies'.  They glued spots onto puppy ear headbands, and then the Mr. painted their faces.  It was adorable to see how they all chose different colors/styles, and all looked so cute and unique!

Here they all are with their ears and painted faces!

We also took pictures of all the 'puppies'.  They were adorable!  Of course, my children's pictures didn't turn out well....I may have to do theirs over (they wouldn't mind, since they are sporting the ears almost daily still.)

Next, we played "Puppy Pile-up" (similar to "Twister"), and then "Give the dog a Bone" (Similar to pin the tail on the donkey - on a poster Angel drew herself!)

Since many of our guests were excited and full of energy, towards the beginning of the party, I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to handle the group.  Fortunately, I realized very quickly that these little puppies were very eager to please.  So, whenever it got loud or rambunctious, I would simply hold up my hand and say "Puppies, quiet!" and immediately, it was silent.  It was unbelievably effective, and so much fun!

After our delicious (ha!) dinner of hot dogs, etc, we played, "Doggy, Doggy, Where's your bone?"  We should have played this first - it was the highlight of the evening!  No one wanted to stop, and we must have played 20 rounds at least!  I was finally able to end it only with the promise of refreshments and gift opening, otherwise, I think it would have lasted all night! :)

Finally, we ate cake and ice cream, and Angel opened her gifts.  Of course Wiggles wanted to play the role of puppy and stick her tongue out, showing the blue frosting (which I got against my better judgment...)  Angel had wanted a cheesecake topped with 'puppy chow' (cocoa crispies), but I was worried not all of the guests would enjoy cheesecake, so we had a cake/cupcakes as well (she would have taken the cupcakes to school were it not for the snow day).  

I didn't get any pictures of the gifts - I was too busy barking out commands "Puppies, sit!  Puppies, stay!  Puppies, one gift at a time!" and writing notes on who gifted what....but Angel was much to enthralled in the gift opening process to have looked up anyhow. :)

All in all, it was a memorable and fun party, and enjoyed by all!

Happy Birthday Wiggles!

Dear Wiggles,


Happy Birthday, my little firecracker!  Has it really been 3 years?  You seem to grow fastest of all of my children.  And yet, I can't even remember my life before you!  You've always been there - in my arms, or on my hip.  Practically inseparable, you and I!

You are one of life's greatest pleasures.  You are the happiest happiness I've ever known.  The loudest laugh, the biggest smile, the tightest hug, the shrillest shriek of delight.  You live life to it's fullest - there is no 'middle of the road' with you.  You are either on top of the world....or you are most certainly not.  Fortunately, though, you are mostly on top! :)

You are very social.  You've had somewhat of a difficult time with Grins and Angel both going to school, because you crave the play time and constant interactions you have when they are home.  Lately, you are getting very good at playing independently while I work around the house (cleaning, cooking, etc.).  I wondered what helped you progress to an independent player, until one day, you clued me into your secret.  I said, "Wiggles, it's time to get in the car! We need to go shopping!"  You were in your room playing with your dollhouse and said, "OK!  I'm coming!  I just need to get my friends!"  You then emerged from the room with your arms full of stuffed animals, dollhouse dolls, and your little caterpillar toy.  You said, "Can you please help me carry my friends to the car?"  I responded, "No, sweetheart, we can't bring all those toys with us.  Toys need to stay home."  To which you insisted, "These aren't toys! They are my friends! They have to come with me or they'll get lonely and I'll get lonely!"  I finally realized that, since you no longer have your best friend Grins around, you had developed friendships with your toys.  I must admit, it made me a little sad, realizing you were having to resort to inanimate objects...but I was also very pleased with your imagination and inventiveness! (is that a word?)  So, I agreed to let you take one 'friend' with you.  The decision of whom to take was easy for you.  You instantly said, "OK I'll take Elmo."  I didn't see any Elmos in your arms (the red, furry monster), but you explained that your plastic toy caterpillar's name was Elmo.  You brought him along, and since then, he's been your best friend.  You take him everywhere (except church), and even sleep with him!  It's comical really, since he's not snuggly at all, but you love him, and that's what matters.  When you love, you love with all of your heart.  As I said, you don't do anything part way!

Lately you've been having a hard time listening or obeying.  And you've been talking NONSTOP.  I mean, literally, chatting for hours on end, quiet only when you are eating or sleeping.   I was becoming incredibly frustrated with your seeming rebellion and was at my wit's end.  Until one day, when we were reading scriptures during our morning devotional.  Usually, for your turn reading a verse, I read a sentence and you repeat it after me.  On this particular morning, however, you were having a difficult time repeating me.  You kept asking "What?" or repeating nonsensical words - which is very unlike you, since you can usually pronounce even long and difficult words with ease.  I finally realized that you were not hearing me.  I began talking much louder and, lo and behold, you began listening and obeying immediately!!!  It was amazing the difference that it made, and I felt horrible for having been frustrated at your seeming disobedience, when really, you simply couldn't hear!  It has truly made me appreciate what a sweet girl you are!  I'm hoping the hearing loss is simply due to your congestion (you've had an upper respiratory infection for quite a while!)  But if the hearing deficit persists we will pursue other causes.  In the meantime, though, speaking clearly has made all the difference.

You are so loving.  You are constantly asking, "Are you happy?" or "Are you nice?"  You are our little happiness guru and it is wonderful.  You truly are our family's, and my own, little ray of hope and sunshine.  How did we ever get along without you, my love?  You are Heaven on earth.

Thank you for letting me be your Mommy.  I consider it the greatest honor and privilege I could imagine.  I cherish and love you more than you'll ever know.  I love you, Wiggles!

Love,
Mommy

Wiggles, 3 hours old

Wiggles, 1 week old

Wiggles, 1 year old

Wiggles, 2 years old

Wiggles, 3 years old.  She put 3 pairs of pajamas on and then said, "Look at me! I'm fat!"

I just realized while posting this that I don't have one single picture of Wiggles on her 3rd birthday. :( :( :(  It was either due to a camera malfunction or my brain malfunction (I took my national recertification exam 2 days after her birthday, so I was slightly preoccupied!)....but fortunately, it was a very happy day and she was a very happy three year old.  I'll make up for the lack of photos at Christmas time! :)

Happy Birthday Angel!

Dear Angel,

How is it possible that you are 6 years old already? Slow down! It truly seems like just yesterday when I was rubbing my protruding belly in anticipation of your birth. SO much has changed

since you came into my life, and I am truly the better for it. Between you and me, I SO miss, and often long for, the days when it was just you and me. What fun we had!

I love you, my darling girl. I feel that sometimes I don't tell/show you that enough - so I am working on that. I struggle between worrying that I am expecting too much of you, versus expecting so much because you are so amazing and capable. You seem so wise beyond your 6 years, so I must constantly remind myself that you are still a little girl. You often help remind me when you come out in your pjs with a binkie in your mouth and say you want to 'play baby'

or when you come to me and say "I need a snuggle!" How can I resist such a precious little one as you?

I LOVE this! Christmas morning you received a pair of goggles in your stocking - then you disappeared for a moment and came back like this. Hilarious!

Though you love to be pampered, you also enjoy helping others. If anyone is ever hurt or sad, you are the first to do whatever you can to comfort them. When I was sick a few weeks ago, you made a little 'bed' of pillows and blankets on the couch, set the side table with a book and drink, and even went so far as to draw me a card saying "I'm sorry you're sick Mommy! I hope you feel better soon!" and then helped get the other children breakfast so I could rest. What an Angel you are!

You have made it through a lot this past year; our big move and starting school were both exciting at first, but have been the most difficult on you. Even though you love change, you also embrace consistency! But you have made lots of new friends, and even though you dearly miss your distant family, you love spending time with our own little family!

At the moment you often resist going to school because you miss me. But you enjoy playing with your friends, and you are excelling in your work - your teacher has had to come up with a new curriculum to keep you busy because you were bored with what everyone else was doing. You are an incredible reader and you love math. But your favorite activity is art. You could (and do!) spend hours writing notes, drawing/painting/coloring pictures, and creating masterpieces. I'm sure our walls would be covered at least a dozen times over if I kept everything you created! (Fortunately you allow me to selectively save and share some.) You also have an incredibly memory; you have long since memorized all of the Articles of Faith, and now that we are working on memorizing The Living Christ, you've got it down better than I do!

You love being silly. You and Grins can laugh for hours on end (when you aren't tormenting one another, of course.) You love telling jokes and your laughter can be heard for miles, it seems. You have a very contagious laugh and if you're happy, you do all you can to help others be happy as well.

Right now we are working on 'responsibility'. You seem to have many emerging strengths and talents but work is not an interest of yours at the moment. You are constantly asking why you must get yourself dressed/clear your own dish at dinner/pick up the toys you've played with/do "SO much work" when you would much rather stay in your pajamas all day, play to your heart's content, and have someone follow you around cleaning up after you. You just cannot fathom why you should be required to lift a finger. Though frustrating, it is actually quite comical. But you care so well for your baby dolls and little siblings, and take such pride in the work that you DO complete, that I have hope for you yet!

You are such a little sweetheart. So strong-willed (you've been called "bossy" which you did NOT appreciate....) and yet so sensitive. So determined, and yet, at other times, so timid. So confident while sometimes insecure. It is so much fun to watch your personality grow and develop. You are so much fun to be around! It is such a privilege and blessing to be your mother. Thank you for the honor of these past 6 years. I can't wait to see what the next 6 will bring!

I love you with all my heart, Angel Girl!

Love,

Mom

6 yr old "stats":

Favorite color(s): Pink and purple. And rainbow.

Favorite food: chicken nuggets and artichokes

Favorite dessert: ice cream or cookies or cake or pretty much anything sweet

Favorite book: I love all books.

Favorite 'things': butterflies, fairies, babies, dolls, horses, rainbows, hearts, flowers

Favorite things to do: write and draw, read, dance, play babies and house, watch movies

Favorite friends: Sophia, Emma, Mattie, Chloe, Claire, Anja, James and sometimes Isabelle

Favorite people: mom, dad, Grins and sometimes Wiggles

What do you want to be when you grow up? An astronaut, a petrinarian (a person that has a LOT of pets), or a Dr. that delivers babies. Or a dancer. And a mom, of course.

Quote of the day....

Today I asked Angel to help set the table for dinner. Her response (completely serious and matter-of-fact, without sarcasm or humor): "Me? Work? On the day before my BIRTHDAY? I don't think so!"

I had to hold back some laughter on that one. Can't wait to see what tomorrow (The actual Big Day) will bring from my little Princess.....

Happy Birthday Wiggles!

Dearest Wiggles,

Happy Birthday, love! Where has the time gone; how can you be two years old already? I think, of all my children, you grow the fastest; not just because you are the smallest, but because time just seems to fly by when you're around! I truly can't believe it was two years ago that I first held you in my arms - I remember the moment as if it were this morning! And yet, I can't even remember my life without you. You are SO precious to me!

If I've ever felt you were my greatest challenge, there is no question that you are my greatest joy. You are my fire and ice - happier than happy ever was one moment, screaming bloody murder because someone looked at you funny the next. You certainly make life exciting for everyone around you, and you are sure to keep me on my toes! No dull moments in our family since you joined us, that's for sure!

Wiggles, Nov 2008

You are a lover. You want to give loves (tight, squeezing hugs and wet kisses!) to each member of our family (and friends) several times each day! "I wanna give you a UG, Daddy!" you demand each morning, regardless of how many hugs you've already given him. You love your brother and sister SO much and want to do EVERYTHING they do. Without exception. You wear Angel's huge backpack (it nearly touches the ground, it's so large on you!) and say "I wanna ride 'da bus!" You wrestle with Grins, and you are even starting to hold your own! And you are always quick to notice if I'm upset/startled/hurt/etc (even when no one else has a clue! You are very perceptive!) You'll say "What, Mommy?", climb up on my lap, and snuggle me until nothing else matters in the world.

Wiggles, Feb 2009 - What a sport!

You are a singer! I don't remember ever hearing a child your age - or any age for that matter, sing as much as you do! You've been singing almost before you could speak (which you did early!) Your current favorites are: "The Lord is my Light" ("Da Yode is my ya-ah-ah-aeet, he is my soy and my song...") "I Am a Child of God" ("I sing 'I am a Thiod of Dod' to my baby, Mommy!"), "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", "Row, Row Your Boat", "Mr. Moon", "The Wheels on the Bus", "I Love to See The Temple", "The Eensy Weensy Spider", "Jesus Loved the Little Children", "Follow the Prophet", etc to name just a few. Your singing is the sweetest, most angelic, (not to mention funniest) I've ever heard! I LOVE listening to your sweet little voice and adorable pronunciations! And I love that you are willing to share your music on demand - you are constantly performing for anyone who will listen. You are certainly a performer!

Wiggles, Aug 2009

Speaking of performing, you are also a born acrobat! Every week at FHE Sharing Time, you show us your somersault off the couch - which may not seem entirely impressive given the fact that you are now 2 years old....but is, in fact, amazing, because you've been doing it since you were just over 1 year old! It used to make me so nervous - but you've always been a dare-devil. When we first arrived in Maine, we went to a playground and you climbed to the top of a rock-wall tower - completely out of my reach (7 feet high at least!) and started swinging from the bar. I panicked and scrambled up to get you, but you weren't frightened in the least - just swinging away to your heart's content, shouting "Wheeeeee!" as loud as you could. You certainly have your father's sense of invincibility! :)

Wiggles, Nov 2009

You are determined! You want to do everything "Self". You may scream and throw a fit at not being able to shut the car door by yourself - but the moment I try to help you scream even louder! "No! I want to do it myself, Mommy!" you demand. I have definitely learned patience as we wait for you to dress yourself, feed yourself, buckle yourself into the carseat, remove yourself from difficult situations (eg in the legs of a dining chair), etc. And you are certainly worth the wait - every minute of it!

Wiggles, Jan 2010

You are a snuggler. One of my favorite features of you is the way you freely give snuggles. You hug with your whole body, and you give long hugs too - not the quick, millisecond hugs so many distractable children offer - you will wrap your arms around me for minutes at a time. Which is saying a LOT, considering you are never that still for that long otherwise! (Hence your nickname.) As busy as you are, (constantly moving/exploring/learning/struggling to do something yourself/coloring on the floor/etc

), you will ALWAYS make time to snuggle!

You LOVE to laugh. You LOVE the "Cut the Pickle...tickle, tickle" joke and you absolutely adore being tickled. And tickled. And tickled some more, until my fingers are sore. And how can I resist? If tickling your round belly weren't reward enough, your delicious and infectious giggles and laughter are the icing on the cake!

Wiggles, May 2010

My dear, sweet child. You mean more to me than words will ever be able to say. You are my heart and soul. You mean everything to me. You have challenged and stretched me, and have brought more joy to my life - and the life of our family - than I ever thought possible.

These past two years have been treasures! I can't wait to see what the next two - and beyond - will bring! I love you, Wiggles, with all my heart!

Love, Mommy

(ETA: To our distant loved ones, I'm sorry there are no current pictures of Wiggles. Sadly, we haven't had a camera the past couple of months, so these are our most recent photos. But she was almost as cute then as she is now, so you get the idea....)

Day Out With Thomas

Thanks to a very generous Oma and Opa (Thank you!!), Grins thoroughly enjoyed a Day Out With Thomas Father & Son (& little sister) Date for his birthday this year! We gave him the option of going with Mommy or Daddy, and he (of course) chose Daddy! But, being the ever-caring brother he is, he asked if his sisters could go as well. We explained that we only had 2 tickets; one for him, and one for a parent, but he insisted on Wiggles joining when he realized she wouldn't need a ticket. And, since he had a point and was trying to share, we couldn't argue with that! (Angel was disappointed but enjoyed a special Mommy-Daughter day!)

After getting a card in the mail with the money for his tickets, Grins asked us every day "Is today my day with Thomas?" So when the big day arrived, he could hardly believe it! After a looooong drive to the Boothbay Railroad, he was beside himself with excitement. (Notice him running up to the park with his arms in the air! And Wiggles running after him, as usual.)

Grins was thrilled to see a "real, live Thomas" the tank engine - and even more excited that he got to ride on him! But the train ride was only the beginning....

The Thomas ride was hard to beat, but Grins also really enjoyed the 'mini train' ride (pulled by a tractor, and the hay ride.

Wiggle was most delighted by her "Thomas tickow" (Thomas sticker aka temporary tattoo). After they placed it on her arm, she walked around for the rest of the day saying "wook at my Thomas arm".... she wanted to be pushed on the swing on her 'thomas arm' and insisted on showing it to anyone who would look. Who needs an $18 ticket when you can get $1 pack of temporary tattoos anywhere? :)
Of course, a bouncy house is always a good way to expend some extra energy....and if said bouncy looks like Thomas, what more can a kid ask for?

All in all, I think it is safe to say that a fun time was had by all in attendance, and this is a birthday present Grins will remember for years to come! Thank you again, Oma & Opa! Wish you could have been here to see him enjoy it! :)