Dear Sammy,

Dear Samalamalicious,

Lately, you've been bored being home by yourself with me.  You are getting very social and want to have friends over.  Today, we invited little Alison.  Alison with her big brown eyes, dark brown hair and creamy tan skin.  Beautiful little Alison that is just as funny as you.  You played well and I loved listening to your conversations.  It was mainly about how your brother loves Star Wars but you love Jango.  She responded how her brothers love Star Wars but she likes to play house.  Then you showed her how far you could jump. 

You are rad little one.

After she left, we had our lunch and made chocolate chip cookies.  You wore Mia's pink apron, but it wasn't really your idea.  You were willing to wear it if that meant you could make the cookies, but pink is a giiiirrls color you say.

Baking with you was different then baking with Jake or Mia.  Mia loves to bake but is a little distracted.  Jake is intense and you can't do it fast enough for him.  It's a bit stressful to bake with him.  But you, you enjoyed yourself.  You had to feel all of the ingredients poking the butter (which you called peanutbutter), cracking the eggs, scraping the dry ingredients out with your fingers.  Lots of taste testing and telling me how you were excited to tell the kids that you made cookies for them. 

Did you know that we think it's hilarious that you refer to Jake and Mia as "the kids"? 

I love you so much little Sammy!  I can't believe that you are going to be four soon!  Time is flying and soon, I'll won't have my little helper home with me.  You clean, vacuum and put the laundry in the dryer.  You learned to fold clothes over a year ago.  Can't say the same for your siblings.  You bring in the groceries, stack the cans and set the table.  I'm thankful for you and your soft heart. 

I love you!

Mama

Dear Daughter,

Dear Mia,

Tonight, we tackled the cleaning out of your room...again.  Your room is going to be the end of me!  Right now, I am sure that your Grandma Desse and Aunt Sharmyn are laughing that I you are just like me.  I am sticking my tongue out at you two!  We can get your room clean again.  We can do this! 

We just started the cleaning tonight and we were able to get rid of:  a large bag of garbage,  a really full black garbage bag of hand me downs for friends and another black bag of donations to DI.  Great progress but shocking since we just cleaned out your room two months ago!  Where is all this stuff coming from?

We put away all of your clothes and put your shoes back on the shelves.  Your bed was stripped of all the excess blankets and you choose one teddy blankie and a soft pink blanket to sleep with.  We played a game choosing 3 items that you loved and wanted to keep, 5 items that you could throw away and 5 items that you could donate.  And Mia darling, you loved it.  You like to clean your room with me!  I know you like it clean, but, my dear,  I think that you have too much stuff that you are trying to take care of. 

I've been trying to get your room organized since the day we moved in.  Organized so you can easily take care of it.  I love for you to have toys to play with, dresses to dress up in, books to read and babies to love but those things need to be put back in their home.   This is a project that I really want to let be.  It's exhausting trying to figure out how to help you best.  I love you dearly, but maybe it's time to clean out your room entirely.  No more toys, dolls, Barbie's and dress-ups.  Just the necessities so you can have a nice, peaceful place to sleep.

Dear Mia-mine, what I am going to do with your cute self?

Loves,
Mom

On a whim...

On a whim, I made my family blog public again.  It feels oddly naked and exposed right now, but somehow, makes me want to blog again.  See, having it private means that no one is looking at it so I don't have to write.  I want to write.  So, on a whim, it's public again.

A Conversation...

A conversation between Ryan and Sam late one night after enjoying a late night shower. 

Sam:  "I sure wish I had my "I Love Dad" (pj) top."
Dad:  "I wish I had a "I love Sammy" shirt."
Sam:  "And Jango Fett wishes he has a "I love Boba Fett" shirt and Boba wishes he had a "I love Jango" shirt."
Dad:  "Really."
Sam:  "Yah, and they can put it on their chest plates!"  said while rubbing his own little chest then layed back down feeling pretty satisfied with his funny little self.