Being Goofy

Dear Parker,

Last weekend we went to the zoo at the spur of the moment. It was a nice time. You have taken to wearing dresses on the weekend since we won't let wear them to school. Most of your other dresses were dirty, so that's how you ended up in this one (that's still a little big) I think it just adds to your cuteness. You were CONVINCED that you wanted to race a cheetah. You were asking about it before we even got to the exhibit. (Apparently the zoo marketing really works!) We didn't think you would actually do it. So, we tried to dissuade you by getting your picture taken in front of this cheetah.
You kept saying, "I want to race a cheetah! I run really fast." So, we caved. You got to the starting line, but then chickened out. I think there were too many people and the woman running the exhibit was a little overwhelming. So you just started to cry. It's okay. We were proud of you for trying. You are still very little to do things like that!
You've also been hysterical around the house lately. Here's one of you and your Mom playing. You laid down and threw your legs in the air - then insisted that she do the same.
You also love to stand on your head right now. I wish I could bend like that! :)
And here you are being CRAZY in my shoes. You have your pscyho after school hair, your crazy hands and you are in my shoes. You thought you were the funniest thing ever.
I love you, Parker. You are so funny and you brighten my life.

Love,

Mommy

"Doin' Stuff"

Dear Parker,

You have been so funny lately and I have been doing a bad job about keeping track of all of these memorable moments. So, in true "I'm behind" fashion, here's a list of what's been making me laugh lately.

*Friday night at dinner, you turned to me and said, "Mommy, how was your day? At School?" Then, as I told you a little about lunch duty, you kept nodding and saying, "yeah, yeah" as if you truly understood the joys of lunch duty.

*Lately, you've been saying that you are "doing stuff." When we ask what you are doing, you will sometimes say, "I'm doin' cloths." We aren't quite sure what that means, but it seems to entertain you.

*Today, when we asked what you were doing, you told us that you were "doing centers" and "filling out my daily," both things that happen at school! Yea! Maybe you are starting to like it a little.

*We've started singing "Skidamarink" at night before you go to bed. It started out with just you and your Mom, but I hijacked it and now sing along too. It's so cute and fun and I hope we do it for a long time!

*The other day I was cleaning the kitchen and you and your Mom were dancing in the living room. It was so sweet and made me fall in love with both of you all over again.

*You have taken to carrying around a pen. You call it your pencil and love drawing with it and pretending that you are doing serious work.

*Almost every night at dinner, you make us all hold hands and sing the "ABCs." We aren't quite sure why this has to happen, but you seem to love it, so we do it!

*You have been very into the cats lately. You will often proclaim "I'm chasing Kitty Alexx!" Along those same lines, you sometimes are a little aggressive with the cats. I think this is partly because Alexx is small enough for you to move, but you do not hesitate to move him where you want him. This has not translated to the other cats. None of them like it so much and we are working with you so that you do not abuse the kitties any more than is necessary!

I love you so much, Bits. I'm so excited for you birthday!

Love you,

Mommy

Last One

Dear Parker,

There have been many times this week when I meant to write you a letter, but we have all been really tired and busy with the first full week of school that it just didn't happen. So, I will try to recap the week for you.

This was your first full week of school and although you still cried every morning, it is getting easier. Friday, I was finally able to take you to school and, although you were crying, you were saying "Bye Mommy. See you later." So, I guess that's a good sign that things are getting a little better.

We went to the State Fair today. It was really hot and there were tons of people, but I think you had fun. We ate lots of fried food and saw horses and cows and the "World's Largest Boar." You rode on the Carousel with your Mom, but would only sit on the bench. You acted like you wanted to ride the bees that went up in the air (kind of like the Dumbo ride), but then when it came time to actually get on the ride, you freaked. We didn't stay super long just because it was SO hot, but I think it was a good trip.

There have been so many funny moments with you this week, but I can't think of all of them right now. So, right now I will just tell this one story,

You do this hilarious thing where you will make a little 'L' with your thumb and first finger (like you are trying to hold up one finger but don't know what to do with your thumb) and whisper "one more" or "last one" to us if you want another cookie, book etc. It's so funny. I wish I could get it on video because your face is so serious and the way you say it just make me laugh!

I'm sorry I have been so busy lately, bits. I love you so much.

Love,

Mommy

the weekend

Dear Parker,

The weekend is over. We had a nice time and it was definitely good to spend time with you. I'm really not looking forward to this week because I know that it's going to be long and stressful for everyone. Good or not, we didn't really talk extensively about school this weekend because we didn't want you to get upset. You are also getting a little snotty, which I'm sure isn't going to help the situation any.

Uncle Stuart and Aunt Lauren came over today. You love them so much. Uncle Stu taught you how to play hide and seek. You thought it was hilarious. You didn't really understand the concept fully of either part of the game. When you were the seeker you would count to whatever number you felt like with your eyes open. Then you would go and look. You would check every hiding place that had been previously used, but always thought it was HILARIOUS whenever you finally found whoever you were looking for. You would then yell, "AGAIN!" When you were hiding, you always giggled to loudly to be hidden well. You really loved it though.

I think you may have actually jumped and gotten 2 feet off the ground today. We tried to get you to replicate it, but you wouldn't. You also have taken a liking to drawing with a purple pen and then showing us your creations. I think it's cool that you are proud of the things you are creating.

I'm going to miss you terribly tomorrow and it's going to be a long day since Mom has to work late and I can't get to you until about 5:00. I hope you do ok. I have a feeling that you are going to cry again and that's going to rip my heart out, but I'm trusting that you know we love you.

Sleep well tonight, baby girl. You need your rest.

I love you,

Mommy

Finally Friday

Dear Parker,

Well, I guess you could say that today was better. Your teachers said that you didn't really cry after the morning drop off, which is good. You did cry as soon as we walked in the door though. I'm not sure if it was relief or what.

I feel bad about leaving you all day. I miss you so much when you aren't home. I'm not looking forward to the start of school, but at least I will be busy during the day.

Anyway, at least it's the weekend and we can spend 2 days together.

Here's hoping we don't go back to square 1 on Monday.

I love you and I'm sorry that you have to go to daycare. It's not what I want for you, but I think parts of it will be good for you.

I love you,

Mommy

Day 3

Dear Parker,

Well, today was your third day at school. It was your first sort of full day. I was REALLY worried because you basically cried all morning and were absolutely screaming by the time we left. I was trying so hard to hold it together for you, but I wasn't as successful as I wanted to be. Luckily, you stopped crying quickly and then had a pretty good day. Tracey said that you were sad sometimes, but that you did pretty well. You ate all your lunch and even napped for 50 minutes, which I didn't think you do on the first day.

After school we had promised that we could go to the park, but you wanted to go home first to have a snack. So, we came home and then went to the park. After the park we went to dinner, thinking that we could go from there to the Ice Cream Social Back to School Night thing at your school. But, after dinner you were SO tired and said you didn't want to go, so we figured that we weren't going to push it.

All of your teachers think you are so smart. That is all they every talk about. Sometimes, it even bothers me because I don't want to hear how smart you are (I already KNOW that!) I want to know how your day went and if you made any friends and if you were well behaved. But, I suppose I don't mind hearing how wonderful you are!

I'm so proud of you for having a good day at school. I have a feeling that you will cry again tomorrow, but I hope that you end up having a good day. Next week is going to be hard on all of us, so I am very much looking forward to the weekend.

You are so amazing. Thank you for being SO strong for us.

We love you,

Mommy

Really Hard

Dear Parker,

This is proving to be harder than any of us thought. You had a pretty rough day at school and it just continued when we got home. It started when I asked if you were going to go tomorrow to play with Miss Tammy. You said, "I don't like Miss Tammy." Then for the rest of the night, whenever we would mention school, you would just start to cry. You were okay for awhile and then it was time for a bed. You had a breakdown. You just kept crying, "I don't want to go to school!" We finally got you settled down, but you kept crying out about not wanting to go to school. Finally, I just rocked you to help you calm down and sleep since I knew there was no way you would have a good day if you were tired.

I feel horrible. There is nothing worse than having you beg me to not have to do something like this and having to make you go anyway. I am praying so hard that you adjust soon. Tomorrow you have to go for a full day and I think it's going to kill you. It's so hard to see you so sad all the time. You actually said earlier that you didn't like school because, "It makes me sad."

Rips my heart out.

I love you more than anything,

Love,

Mommy

School Part 2

Dear Parker,

You have had a busy last 24 hours and a rough last 12 or so. Yesterday was your first day of school that went relatively well. Then, your Uncle Stuart and Aunt Lauren came over after your nap and the your big kid friends, Maggie and Maggie, came over for dinner. You loved playing with everyone. You are such ham now. It's hilarious. At one point you were performing "Twinkle Twinkle" with the cd and Maggie started laughing (because you are so cute!) and you just stopped, looked and her and said, "Stop it, Maggie! Stop it!" Then, of course, we all laughed harder!

Anyway, when it was time to go to bed, you made it through the bath and the initial bed process just fine, but then you couldn't fall asleep. You just laid there with your eyes open, blankly staring. After about an hour of failed attempts on my part, I just brought you downstairs and we watched about 15 minutes of "Between the Lions." Then, we went up to try again. You fell asleep quickly. I'm not sure what was keeping you up, other than maybe too much excitement.

This morning, you didn't really want to go back to school. We psyched it and you up enough that you were excited by the time we left, but when we went to leave, you just started screaming. I felt like you were just ripping my heart out, baby girl. I know that you are fine, that it will be fine, that eventually you will like school, that it's normal, that you need to play with other kids, blah blah blah. But, none of that really makes me feel any better. I just hope that you feel loved and really, truly understand that we will be back in just a few hours.

I love you, Parker Alyse. I will see you in 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Love,

Mommy

School

Dear Parker,

Today was your first day of "school." I was very nervous and sad. You were very excited to go and didn't cry when we left. You were only there for a half day today, which I think was a good start. Miss Doreen said that you cried occasionally and would sit in a chair to "wait for Mommy." I think you had fun sometimes, but I feel so incredibly guilty and sad that you are going to have to spend so many hours a day away from home and people who love you. It makes me sad.

Please know that I love you more than you understand and that I am doing the best I can for you.

You are the most amazing, beautiful, smart, funny, loving little girl. We are the luckiest parents in the world.

I hope you have a good day tomorrow.

Love you forever.

Mommy

Catching Up

Dear Parker,

It's been way too long since I have written you. After we left Uncle Steven's we took a couple of days just as a family and visited Frankenmuth, MI. You had a good time walking through the little Bavarian town. We were there before the shops opened so you had run of the town. A few minutes before they opened, the piped in music began. You started dancing right there in the street. It was pretty funny. We also swam in the pool every night, which you loved. Your constant giggles while we were swimming are still in my head.

We left Frankenmuth and headed to Leland, MI to visit Nancy and Chuck. We went there last year as a family and you were fairly cautious when it came to the water. So, the first thing we did after we settled in was to head to the beach. As soon as we started laying out the blankets, you pointed to the water and said, "Parker maybe do that?" So, off we went. You walked straight into the water and didn't look back. The waves were big and you loved getting splashed and jumping the waves. Back on the beach, you spent a really long time filling a huge bucket to the top with sand. Other variations over the next few days included a bucket or rocks and layering the sand with rocks.

You had a great time walking through Leland, playing at the park and having Teddy Bear pancakes with Nancy.

Now, we are home and spending our last few days together before you start "school" on Tuesday. You are acting excited about school, well mostly about the animal crackers and juice, I just hope that you remain that excited when the time comes.

Your Mom and I think you are the single most amazing thing ever. You get cuter and smarter every single day. You have started using "me" correctly. (As in "carry me.") You also are suddenly very excited about your birthday. We have mentioned that it is coming up, but you talk about it all the time. This afternoon, before you nap, you said, "My birthday is coming up. I blow out the candles and eat the cake. Put it in my mouth, chew it and then have more!" It will be so fun. I can't wait.

I know I have missed many things since it has been so long, but we have been busy.

I love you so much.

Love,

Mommy