Scary Tarantula, Sweetie Kitty

Dear Henny and Hazel Pants, 
I'll keep this short because the pictures far out weight the text I could clack away.  Halloween! this year was a collaborative effort between me and you Henny and it was awesome.  The past three years we gave you choices of what you wanted to be... year 1 you were a hot dog, year 2 you were Chewbacca, and year 3 you were an impressive Yoda with a hand made light saber replica thanks to your dad and last year you were a lit up Robot.  Well, this year you wanted to be a tarantula.  You and I sat down in the kitchen with your notebook.  While I listened to your description I sketched and you made adjustments as needed.  We made a list of materials needed and upon review you wrote in "cursive" the parts we had forgotten.  We selected our fabric easily but the search for eyeballs proved more of a problem.  At the last minute, just after settling on google eyes you were searching through some discount Halloween bins and found some Styrofoam eyes on sticks and a bag of eyes and asked if I thought they would work. UH! Yeah!  They were perfect!  

I worked a couple of days cutting and sewing the parts and then we constructed the hat together.  It all turned out so spooky and hairy!  

You impressed your friends at school.  They gathered around you to poke and ask questions.  

The children's museum gave you lots of attention too.  You and Hazel did your first haunted house with us, Bahboo and cousin Tony.  

We were able to trick or treat with our buddies again this year, a fun tradition.  

Bahboo, Krispie and Currie joined us.  The weather was beautiful and Hazel looked cuddly sweet in the kitty cat outfit that Henry picked out. 
 
 Hazelita, you sat with Daddy and shook candy in both hands, got all yellow from a baggie of cheese balls and waved and said hi to random trick or treaters.  

I can't wait to see what you choose to be next year.  And...here are the pictures.

I love my little ghoulies!   Love, Mama

P.S.  I always have standards for the Halloween outfits. They must keep you warm, not cover your face and be comfortable and flexible...after this year, I have to add it must light weight.  The weight of all of those legs and the big back slowed you down and wore you out early.  haha

Easter 2013

Dear Henny and Zellie, 
You were two pretty lil Easter eggs.  I took some lovely pictures of the two of you on our back deck.  On Saturday we went to Grandma LaJeans for a yummy lunch with Krispie, Currie and Anne.  The Easter Bunny found his way there to drop off some eggs for you to find.  

Henry you were a great big brother and took out time to bring a couple eggs to your sister.  So sweet.  

You both really enjoyed the hunt but REALLY enjoyed getting your Easter baskets.  The day was gorgeous for some outside play so we spent some time in the back yard.  

Then we spent the night with Grandma P and Bahboo.  The next morning we went to church with Grandma LaJean.  Hazel was as sweet as pie but Henry, you were a little challenged to sit still so we went and chased each other in the basement.  Afterwards though you both had to do a little meet and greet so people could ooh and ah over your cuteness.

We then went back to Bahboo's and Grandma P's and played with dominoes, building towers and paths to tip over.  Zellie you had a great snuggle with Grandma P.   

In the afternoon Mama, Bahboo, Henry and Grandma LaJean laughed our way through The Croods.  It was a fun weekend with lots of sweets.  What more could you want? 
Love, Mama  

4 ! Shazam!

Dear Peep, 
You turned four this month!  Four!  One day in the car I asked you how a four year old differs from a mere boy of 3... You gave me a long explanation with your little hand cocked out like you do of how a four year old has to do things he is told and they get to play with friends more and you have to get your close in the hamper and so on.  Your last day of three I squeezed you lots thinking of how our time at home day in and day out would be giving way in a year in a half to rides to school and activities that will take you closer to the independent person we've watched you take steps toward this year.  

You can be very helpful all on your own.  

You put the silverware away each dishwasher load, you put your clothes in the hamper and your shoes on the shoe rack, you potty all by yourself and make it dry through the night, you keep a regular bed time and initiate your tooth brushing routine ending with Daddy clonking your back saying, "Hey, how ya doing?!" so you can spit.  You're a funny dude with a STRONG will.  You can reason us up and down with out flinching.  Just a couple of days after your birthday while riding in the car you said, "Hey, Mommy, now that I'm four I think I should have four books at bedtime instead of three."  That evening you negotiated with Daddy and we all agreed that it made sense.  This also means time outs are 4 minutes too now, oops that one may have backfired a little.  To celebrate your big day we met with Grandma P, Bahboo, Uncle Gary, Grandma LaJean, Krispie, Currie and your best buddy Jonny Cakes.  Daddy made you a special birthday t-shirt with Black Flagesque candles on the front.  We met up at Zaharako's in Columbus ate and enjoyed an AWESOME R2D2 cake that your aunties made.  

You couldn't contain yourself.  You had to see the greatness under the foil.

It was marble and delicious, good looking too.  

After lunch we walked across the road to the indoor playground so you and Jonny could get all sweaty.  You had a great time.  

You were so excited about the walkie talkies Daddy and I got you, later telling me, "OH! Thank you mommy for getting those walkie talkies. I've always wanted some!"  It was a fun time finished off by you and Jonny playing at Grandma P's and Bahboo's and hittin' the hot tub. 

So happy to have our family join us for your big number 4!  Later that day you enjoyed a video sent by JoJo singing happy birthday.  We are still trying to make plans to get together but with her school schedule it isn't as easy as it onces was.  We love her the same and our gratitude for seeing in us the parents that would be right for you is immeasurable.  Bahboo also made sure he documented your height.  I can't believe it has been 4 years since you became our big bag of lovin' (as you like to say).  

I love ya so much, our little dude full of energy and bursting light.  Maybe this year you will tame down.  I doubt it and I don't think I'd really want to.  To many more years, from what you tell us you're never leaving to go anywhere and you will likely just marry us, so we will get that wish.  
Love, Mama