Almost there

Dear Parker,

It is finally ALMOST Christmas.  You are so excited that you are constantly hyper and getting up at like 6am every morning.  Today was my last day of school before break and I'm so glad to finally be at home with you.  We had a fun night playing and being goofy.  You helped me wrap Mom's stocking stuffers and told these funny stories about Cruder (an imaginary friend of yours) playing his trombone too loudly and trying to keep said trombone on his nightstand.  You were not happy with this.  We sang Christmas songs and danced and took a walk around the neighborhood in your wagon to look at lights.  After we got home, you and your Mom made some cookies.  It was a really nice night - even if you did drive me a little nutso with all your energy.  I hope that we can have a calm, family day tomorrow to gear up for what will, I'm sure, be an energetic 5 days.

I love you so much.  I can't believe this is your 4th Christmas.  You are too old, but I love you more every day.

Merry ALMOST Christmas.
Love,
Mommy

Music Program!

Dear Parker,

Tonight was a BIG night (for me at least).  It was your very first music program.  Now, I know that you are only 3 years old and none of it was taught by a real music teacher, but it was still a program and you still sang! :)  I was really proud of you.  You were excited to go with your teacher, you were very excited to sing and you were one of only 2 or 3 kids who actually sang the words.  Most of the other kids just sort of stood there, but you were actually singing.  You were adorable in your little Christmas dress and you were so excited.

As a side note, I haven't been a very good Mommy to you lately.  I don't really want to get into, but I want you to know that I love you more than anything else on this entire planet and that I'm working to get better.

I love you cutie pie.  Christmas is in just 10 days!  I'm so excited.

Mommy

PS - Here are the pictures from the night!

My favs

Dear Parker,

This has got to be quick because I'm tired and it's only Wednesday, but I wanted to jot down some of my favorite things about you right now.

*You love to play rhyming games at dinner.  You will randomly start with "What rhymes with...??  And off we go!  You are good at rhyming and will rhyme with real words or made up words.  It feels pretty smart to me because you seem to know to put the beginning sounds on the rhyming part - including the blends like sh etc.

*You are currently calling wedgies, "Woodgies"  It's hilarious.

*You call spaghetti strap style tank tops "handle shirts."

*Tonight you asked to watch "that video with the blue handles."  Turns out you meant the youtube clip of Sutton Foster performing Anything Goes.  It's a rehearsal clip.  She's wearing a blue tank top.  ;)

*You sat and looked at your Mom's Wizard of Oz book for a really long time tonight.

*You saw a sock monkey in Meijer that you said you wanted.  I said maybe you could ask for it for Christmas.  Then you said, "but Mommy, that's too much."  I love that you are worried about asking for too much!

*You love dancing to all kinds of music.  Right now, you love dancing to Christmas music.  I love that.

*The other night we drove around looking at Christmas lights.  You have this little whistle and you blew it whenever you say some.  I was laughing pretty hard.

*You had a mild obsession with Christmas lights.  You love them so much that we bought some to put up outside.  It's not going too well.  Maybe tomorrow it will get done.

There is so much more, but I have to go to bed.  I love you so much.  You are no longer and baby or a toddler.  You are just a small person.  It's amazing.  I am beyond excited about Christmas.  I can't wait!

I love you, bits.
Love,
Mommy

A Great Day

Dear Parker,

Today was such a great day.  This morning we got up and ran some errands.  You were so well behaved.  At the library you whispered the entire time.  We played blocks and chose some books.  You didn't even need reminded to get off the "balance beam" in the parking lot on our way out.  We got home and put on some Christmas music.  We danced around and played and then drug the boxes of 'stuff' out of the basement.  You were really helpful (no, really, you were!)  You helped me unwrap all the the decorations and then went around and collected everything we need to pack up.  You dusted the places that needed dusted, hung up all the door hangings and even put some decoration out where you wanted them.  We had lunch, you took the world's shortest nap, but didn't get cranky!  You read books to me while I helped Mom prep dinner and after dinner we decorated the little tree in the loft.  You had such fun.  Then we turned out all the lights (except the tree) and had a dance party.  Your bath went really well and you fell asleep quickly.  It was a perfect day.

I'm so looking forward to the holidays.  I wish that I had more time off before Christmas, but we are going to have so much fun anyway.  I love you more than anything, and I'm so grateful to have you.

Love you,
Mommy

Today

Dear Parker,

Today was so amazing.  Your mom had a conference until around 4 and you and I cleaned up the house.  Well, I cleaned and you got out all your toys and strewed them everywhere.  But, you were very cute and well behaved.  You read books to yourself for at least 30 minutes.  You were great.

Mom came home and you played with her for awhile.  You wanted to play doctor so you made her lie in the in the bed and you came back with your doctor kit and white coat.  You even made sure you had a notebook and pen to write down "important things."  You were very cute.

Then, we were going to run over and get some dinner.  When we got there we discovered that the Hamilton Towne Center was having a giant fair thing including the arrival of Santa.  You were SO excited.  There were carolers and you loved listening to them.  We walked around and picked up the free glo necklace and balloon, ate some dinner, got some candy and then waited for Santa.  You were unbelievably excited.  I actually almost cried because you were so happy.  There were supposed to be fireworks afterward.   We waited around for quite awhile, but then decided we needed to go home. You were pretty bummed. We got home took a quick bath and as we were getting your pj's on, they started!  We could see them from our porch, so we threw a blanket around you and ran outside to watch.  It was a great way to end the night.

I'm looking forward to the holidays with you.  You are so full of wonder and belief.

I love you more than you will ever understand.
Love,
Mommy

Sleepover

Dear Parker,

Last night you had a sleepover with your cousins.  You were so excited.  You were going to a concert first and you thought you were BIG stuff.  Two days before you kept asking if it was time to go to the concert yet. We met Uncle Stu and Aunt Lauren at the concert and you were such a big girl.  You were just like, "Bye Moms!"  We had to ask for hugs!   You had a great time.  But, Aunt Lauren said that you were scared of the smoke detector in the room you slept in and so you didn't fall asleep until 2am!  Yikes.  Then you got up at 8.  This did not make for the most fabulous of days.  But, we all made it through and now you and I are cuddled up on my bed watching Wall-E while your Mom is at her meeting.

I love you, bits.  I hope you always want to snuggle me and watch movies.
Love,
Mommy

Trip to the Dentist

Dear Parker,

This isn't going to be very long because I don't really know what I want to say about today, but I feel like it's something that I'm supposed to document.

We took you to the dentist for the first time today.  I suppose we should have taken you earlier, but we are neglectful parents like that. ;)  Anyway,  you were amazing and great!  I thought that you were going to cry or get all shy, but the hygienist and the dentist were both so amazing with you.  You got to wear little sunglasses when they shone the lamp on your face.  The hygienist pretended that the toothpaste was sparkles and she put them on your teeth with the brush,  You thought the sucky thing was hilarious.  I was just really impressed that you did so well and that they were so good with you.  You are often a pretty tough sell and they sold you.  I was very proud of you.

I was not as pleased with the potential retainer/orthodontics prediction, but we have at least a few years to worry about that!

I love you so much, baby girl.  I can't believe that you are big enough to really go to the dentist!
Love,
Mommy

Making friends 'n stuff

Dear Parker,

I am typing this from the deck with the sun glaring on my computer screen.  I am out here because you are playing next door with the neighbor.  She is 6 years old, in kindergarten and you adore her.  I'm not sure how much actual playing happens, but you seem to enjoy each other's company.  I feel a little anxious about you being over there by yourself as you are only 3 years old and there isn't an adult in the backyard, so I sit on the deck and sort of monitor.  Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I think you are still pretty little to be hanging out with such big kids by yourself.  But, anyway.  You just like having friends.  I hope that it works out and you can keep playing with her.  Right now they are trying to explain Girl Scouts to you.  It's kind of interesting.

Today, I went to Orchard's Parent Preview while you went to school in the morning.  I really like Orchard - particularly the lower school.  I think it would be a really good place for you.  I do worry about the music program as you get closer to middle school  The band program, at least, is pretty crappy right now, but I'm hoping that by the time you are in 5th grade someone else gets hired.  We'll see.  I suppose we can always supplement your musical education.  It does make me a little sad that you won't have the same band experiences that I had, but I think having a better overall education is worth the trade off.  While I say this I still don't know if you have been accepted or if they are going to offer us enough money for it to be a reasonable thing for us.  We'll just have to wait and see.  It's going to be okay no matter what ends up happening.

I went to your school to pick you up around 10:45.  You were in your centers and wanted to stay, so I just hung out with you for awhile.  It was interesting to watch what your day is like.  You were more aggressive than I thought you were, which makes me both a little happy and sad.  I don't want you to be aggressive, but I do want you to stand up for yourself.  It's a fine line.

We came home, took a nap and then went for a cupcake picnic.  We got cupcakes from the Flying Cupcake and then went to Holcomb Gardens at Butler.  You had SO much fun playing in the leaves, sitting on tree stumps and looking at the flowers.  You made a leaf pile and jumped in it, lied in it, took a "nap" in it and threw it in the air.  We played hide and seek in the trees.  You picked a million little berries, flowers and leaves to bring home to your Mom.  It was  a great time.

And now, you are home and sitting in the fort with 2 big girls.  I think this may have been a perfect day for you.  Here are some pics of you from today.

Laughing in the leaves

Sitting in your pile of leaves

Throwing leaves in the air

I love you so much, P.  I had a great day with you.

Love,
Mommy

Mish Mash

Dear Parker,

Okay, so now I have been writing this post for multiple days (weeks) and it’s all over the map.  These stories are weeks old, but I had written these little snippets, so I wanted you to read them later.  We are about to embark on a break together, so hopefully, I will write more soon!  Until then, here is your mish mash of memories...

It has just started to be cooler outside.  So, we have been trying to play outside in the yard after school.  This is good both for you and your Moms!  You love to play tag, although you are very demanding about who is tagging whom as well as kickball and Frisbee.  For some reason, whenever we play Frisbee, you feel the need to place your Mom and I in specific places along the fence.  You then go to the opposite side of the yard and throw the Frisbee.  You can only throw it about a foot.  And we are much more than that away.  You get very upset if we try to move closer to you. It’s pretty funny.

The other night, for some reason, you insisted that you and Mom look at the sky for airplanes.  When I looked up, you got very upset.  You kept telling me that I could only look at the ground.  This evolved into you telling both your Mom and I to “snuff the grass.”  For some reason, you forget the word “sniff” and say, “snuff” instead.  It’s hilarious.

The other day I came to pick you up at school and you were playing with your friend Abby.  You were just walking around the playground, hand in hand.  You came up, gave me a hug and asked if you could go play.  I let you.  Then, you asked me to play with you.  Apparently, you were playing house.  Abby was the Mommy and you were the baby.  It was cute, but also interesting to see how you interact with other kids when you aren’t paying much attention to me. 

I love you, Bits.  You are becoming so grown-up.

Love,

Mommy

3rd Birthday

Dear Parker,

Yesterday was your birthday!  I think you had a great day.  We got up and around and headed downstairs.  We had laid your presents the night before so they were just sitting on the fireplace when you came down.  The day before we had gone to Target to spend your giftcard and you really, really wanted this awful Dora wheelie backpack.  We said no and you chose something else.  But that night at dinner while Mom was away, you said, “Can we go to the store and get that backpack?  We don’t have to tell Mom!”  So, I asked your Mom to stop and pick it up on the way home.  You loved it and were SO excited to have gotten it.  We also got you some books, cds and workbooks that we got at the Borders going-out-of business sale.

You had said that you wanted to go out to breakfast, so we went to The Uptown Café in Noblesville.  We got to sit at the counter and you thought that was so cool because you could see the chef cooking all the food.  Then, we went to the pet store and got all the equipment for your fish tank.  You were VERY excited, but a little bummed that we couldn’t get the fish right away.  You chose hot pink gravel, a pink tree and a pink treasure chest to go in it.  It is VERY pink.

Then, we came home and you played for a bit, ate some lunch and took a nap.  After nap, we had cake and ventured out to Chuck E. Cheese.  You had so much fun riding the rides and playing the games.  They had one of those elevated playground things where you climb through the tunnels and go down the slide.  You really like them, but you are not aggressive in any way with other kids and you get incredibly intimidated when you are in the tunnel and a big kid comes charging through.  I felt so bad because you just kept trying and then getting freaked out.  You wanted so badly to play, but they just weren’t letting you do it your way.  So, we rode on lots of rides and played lots of little games.  You had a really great time.

You with your birthday cake

 On the way home, we went back to the pet store to choose your fish.  You chose two pink and once green.  You told us their names were Kiki, Gigi and Mariah.  Wow.  That made your Moms laugh.

We got the fish home and settled in the tank.  They were a little shy at first but were zipping all over by the end of the night.  I’m still really nervous that they aren’t going to make it, but I supposed we will cross that bridge when we come to it.  I’m going to test the water tonight to make sure it’s still ok.

You with Kiki, Gigi, Mariah and their new home.  It's PINK!

Kiki (the green-ish one), Gigi (the one swimming to the right) and Mariah (the blurry one underneath Gigi)

You were very sweet.  You were eating cake (round 2) with Grandma, who had stopped by on her way to Uncle Stu’s, and you just started saying thank you to us for all the things we had done and gotten for you.  It was amazing.

I’m so hopeful that this next year is your best yet.  I’m hoping for more time with you and overall better health.  I love you so much.  You have changed our lives in such amazing ways and I am so grateful that I will always be your Mommy.  

I love you.  Happy 3rd Birthday.

Love,

Mommy

You take the good, you take the bad...

Dear Parker,

The last couple of days have really been a struggle.  Yesterday, you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, so to speak.  You started screaming and throwing fits from the moment you woke up and continued until the time you went to bed - which was, as usual, a struggle.  It was incredibly frustrating.  I'm not a patient person and I know I don't deal well with you when you get like this, so that's something I need to work on.  I hope you help me out and get better.  Today WAS better - until bedtime.  You just don't listen in the bath and then basically refuse to go to bed.  It's just a really trying experience.  I hope this all passes soon.

On the bright side, you have been doing well at school.  Today, you were the only one of the kids in your class to correctly identify your letter of the week (E).  And you brought home a paper where you were supposed to circle all the "E's."  You circled them all, but also caught a "J!" Tonight, when you weren't going to sleep you kept telling me all the things you were going to tell Miss Chelsea when you go back to school on Monday. Then, when you had to go potty (after you were in bed of course),  we had a great time talking about the letters on my shirt.  You identified them all.  You're getting really good at letters!  You kept asking me what letter your friends' and teachers' names started with.  You got confused when I said that both Cassy and Chelsea started with "C."

The rest of your birthday present from Aunt Stacy came - a cash register.  You love it SO much.  You make us push the shopping cart around and then bring you the items to "check out."  We never give you money, but we always get change!  I wish real shopping was like that!  You also like to run the credit card.  At the end we have to put our items in our bags.  It's pretty funny.

So, I guess this is the best of times and the worst of times.

But, even in the worst of times, I love you more than you will ever understand (well, at least until you have a kid yourself.)  You are the most amazing little girl and I'm so proud of how you are learning right now.  Hopefully soon, I can be extra proud of your behavior as well!

I love you,
Mommy

3rd Birthday Party and a sundry things

Dear Parker,

This past weekend we had your 3rd birthday party.  You birthday is not until this coming weekend, but it's always easier for everyone to travel over the long weekend.  Originally, we were going to have the party at Forest Park in Noblesville, but it rained.  So, we improvised and held the party at Mom's school. It ended up being fantastic.  We set up stations in the gym for you, Alex and Grace to play at - bowling, blocks, hula hoops, obstacle course with tunnel, tumbling mats and basketball.  You all had an amazing time.  You ran around, put on dance parties and made almost everyone do somersaults.  In fact, you were having so much fun that in the middle of opening your presents, you asked to stop and go play in the gym.  But we pushed through and you had a great time.  You loved the blanket that you Grandma Sharp made you and you were SO excited about the pajamas that your cousin Alex chose for you.  You got a fishing game from Uncle Stu and Aunt Lauren that you have played a million times and also really enjoy tracing letters and numbers in your books from Grandma and Grandpa Booga.

Enjoying your purple cupcake

Being so excited about the purple pjs that Alex chose for you

Telling everyone that they should come do a somersault

On another note, when we picked you up from school today we saw that you had traced "E's" that were hanging on the wall.  We went and checked them out and yours was TOTALLY the best.  It was 100% on the lines and not squiggly.  Many others were just colored or had added lines.  It's a silly little thing, but I was really proud.

Now, if only you would go to sleep.  You had such a big weekend that I think you are overtired.  Hopefully, you can get back on schedule this week.

I love you so much, kiddo.  Three more days until your birthday weekend.
Love,
Mommy

Compliments

Dear Parker,

I have to admit that lately I've been sometimes wishing that you were more like other kids about some things.  That makes me seem like a terrible Mommy (maybe I am.)  I just get frustrated sometimes when I watch all the other kids just give their parents a hug and go play in the morning at school or say goodnight and go to sleep at night.  This afternoon I was reminded of just how amazing, wonderful, smart and cute you are!

I got to school to get you and when I arrived you were all dancing and playing instruments.  Ms. Tanya said that you had just finished pretending you were in a marching band and that you loved that.  She then went on to say that you had an amazing day.  She thought your social skills were outstanding and that even the therapist who had been there earlier in the day to work with one of the other kids commented on how great your social skills were - that you were caring and empathetic and just knew how to deal with situations.  I was so proud of you.  We often get told how smart and cute you are (which IS true) but no one has ever told us that they were impressed with the way you acted with other kids.

So, I'm sorry for being a little frustrated sometimes.  I love you tremendously and am so proud of you.  (And I was before this afternoon -  it just reminded me of how amazing you really are.)

I love you bits,
Mommy

Sad

Dear Parker,
We have been struggling with getting you to bed since we moved to this house.  Before we moved, we would snuggle for 10 minutes and then you would go to bed.  Then we moved and everything went out the window.  First, you would only sleep on the floor.  Then you wanted to sleep in our bed.  Then you would sleep in your own bed, but needed someone to stay in the room with you until you fell asleep.  This is where we are stuck.  Sometimes, it's fine.  You fall asleep within 10 minutes.  Sometimes it is fine because you let me leave and you just put yourself to sleep.  Sometimes it is NOT fine because you are afraid of various things - monsters, tigers, witches and get very afraid when we leave the room.  Sometimes it is NOT fine because you just want to cuddle with me, but you can't fall asleep.  That was tonight.  It's so frustrating for me to lay in bed with you for over an hour while you just stare.  I feel like I put off doing all the things I have to do so that I can play with you after school.  Then, you take away all the time I should have after you go to bed as well.  I know that I shouldn't get frustrated with you, but I do.  I'm working on it.  But then,  you will say things like, "Mommy, you make me sad when you yell at me."  This kills me mostly because I am NOT yelling at you.  I am just not being super polite and saying 'please' and 'thank you' when I've politely asked you to do the right thing a million times.  But then I'm conflicted because you look genuinely sad and I don't want to make you sad - ever.

I dunno.  I just want you to know that I love you.  I'm trying to be better and I never want to make you sad.

I love you.  More than you will ever know.  I'm excited for your birthday!
Love
Mommy

Looking up?

Dear Parker,
You had a terrible drop-off this morning.  There was lots of crying and not a great deal of sympathy.  All day long I worked on my "speech" and researched other daycares.  I was ready to request that you be moved to a different room or pull you and go somewhere else.  However, the powers that be intervened and when your Mom picked you up, she found out that your teacher had resigned.  So, while I am sorry that she wasn't enjoying her job, I am very relieved.  You will be spending at least the next couple of weeks with people you know and like and I'm hopeful that any new teacher will be a better fit with you than the last one.

I like it when things work out.
I love you,
Mommy

Struggles

Dear Parker,
You are having a hard time right now.  When you started going back to school, you had been doing pretty well.  Sometimes you cried in the morning, but then the rest of your day would be good.  Then, the "real" school year began and you got a new teacher.  Now things are not going well at all.  You tell us that you don't like her and you spend a good part of your day crying.  To make matters more complicated, you have been sick with a beginning-of-the-year cold and have been having a crazy reaction to some bug bites.  So, you missed 1.5 days of school last week, which doesn't help.  I don't know what to do or how to make this better for you.  Honestly, I don't really like your new teacher that much either, but it's not like there is anything wrong with her.  I don't know what to do or how to help you.  I don't know whether I'm being an over-protective crazy parent if I pull you from her room if things don't start getting better or if that really is the best thing for you.  I don't know what I should be expecting from you at almost 3.  It's not like this you are in Kindergarten.  It's 3 year old pre-school.

I just hope you know that I love you more than anything and we'll get this figured out.  I'm hoping that you start feeling better and that helps to improve your time at school.

I love you, baby.
Love,
Mommy

First Day of Pre-School

Dear Parker,

Today was your first day of Pre-School.  I've been a bit sad - not because you are going to pre-school, but because today wasn't really any more special than any other day of day care last year.  And, technically, pre-school curriculum won't start until the 15th, but we still treated it like the first day of school.  Anyway, you had a good day.  You didn't cry when we left, although you did have to go with a teacher that you knew (there was a sub in your room - great timing, huh?).  But, you spent the whole day in the Pre-School 1 room and did well.  I can't wait for the school year to begin.  It will be much better - 9 kids (not 20) and mostly kids you know.  That will be great.  

You are great and such a big girl.  It was awesome to have you wake up and (mostly) dress yourself while we finished getting around.  I'm having a hard time understanding that you are going to be 3 really soon! Where has the time gone?  I love you so much and I'm so proud of the little girl you are becoming (well, most of the time!)

I love you.  I hope you have a good day tomorrow as well.  I'll be thinking of you all day.

Love,

Mommy

Pre-School Prep

Dear Parker,
This morning we went to your school to re-familiarize you with the building and to get a feel for your new room.  I can't believe that you are going to be in pre-school next year!  You are still pretty shy and clingy in new situations and even though you know your teacher and some of the kids, you were fairly shy.  But, you wanted to stay for awhile, so we did.  You sat on the mat nicely and waited while the other crazy kids were trying to follow directions.

Teaching younger kids the last couple of years has given me a different perspective on you and the way you work with other kids.  In every room, there are always a couple of REALLY good kids who follow the directions and do the right things.  I always feel bad for these kids because, inevitably, they are surrounded by goofballs who can't follow directions and then they have to wait for those kids to get it together before doing something.  Watching you today, made me understand that you (at least right now) are one of those REALLY good kids.  You sat on that mat for a least 5 minutes waiting for the other crazies to get it together.  I felt so bad.  I know that being patient and learning to deal with others is part of life and I understand that you need to learn it.  But, the mommy part of me is just sad about it.

At one point, Miss Valerie was assigning centers to everyone (by asking what the kid wanted and then letting them go there).  You had been waiting a while and you turned to me and said, "I want trains."  I was totally taken back to being younger and all the crazy things I stressed about in my head like that.  I don't like to think of you worrying about things like not getting to play with the trains or losing your hat or any of the other crazy things that I know I worried about when I was little.  I don't know how to help you not worry about those little things.

I understand that I can't protect you and be there when other kids steal your toys or push you in line, but I want to.  You're growing up and I'm just having a hard time with it.

I love you so much and I'm so hopeful that you are going to have a great year in Pre-School.  You have been so grown-up lately and I'm so proud of you, but also a little sad to see my baby go.

I love you, not-so babygirl,
Mommy

Conner Prairie

Dear Parker,
I'm interrupting the posts about 4th of July because you had such a fun adventure today and I want to write about it while it is still fresh in my memory.  Lately, I've done more posting of pictures instead of writing about the little things that I know I will forget and want to remember, so that is what I'm going to try to do from now on.

This morning after you went to church with Mom and Grandma we ventured out to Conner Prairie, which is like a living history thing dealing with the 1800-1900's.  We mostly went because whenever we drive down 146th street we see the giant balloon and you always comment on it and we had a buy one - get one coupon.

You were SO excited about the balloon.  We got there right as they opened so they were still flight testing it.  You didn't want to do anything else but watch the giant balloon.  Finally, they started selling tickets.  I was nervous that you would freak out once it started going, but you were just super interested in everything.  You liked to look down the middle and see straight down (which made Mommy very sick feeling.)  You kept asking what the "man" was saying.  I think you had a great time.

We thought that you might be interested in the animals and that balloon pilot had told us that they had baby pigs at the inn, so we wandered into the town.  You were so interested in everything - you wandered into every house and listened intently to what each historic actor had to say.  You seemed especially interested in the old toys.  You watered a garden and swept the floor of the garden hut thing.  The man working had you rub your fingers on a spearmint plant, then smell them.  He asked you what it smelled like and you replied, "Candy!"

You were so interested and excited to look in each new house.  You played with all the old toys and wrote on a "chalk" board with soapstone.  I was very surprised with how in to the whole experience you were.  It was a really good day.  Hopefully, we can find more things like this to do in the future.

I love you so much, Parkerbits.
Mommy

In the Kiddie Pool

Dear Parker,

We last left off with Aunt Stacy coming for a couple days.  Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Sally came a couple days later and then you really were in heaven.  You have played in your pool already this summer, but mostly you just sort of walked around and kicked balls and didn't really know what to do with yourself.  Then, Aunt Sally came.  You asked her to get in the pool with you.  She obliged and the craziness began.

 Then, you asked Mommy to get in the pool.  I should have known better than to leave you and Aunt Sally outside plotting against me while I changed because as soon as I got in, you attacked me with water - dumping it on me, splashing me.  Anyway you could get me wet was fine by you.

 You thought the whole thing was awesome and especially enjoyed in when Aunt Sally and I tried to get each other with the water.  You became much more adventurous and would practice "swimming" or laying on your back and floating (You still don't want to get your ears in the water because it feels weird with the tubes - I can't blame you.)  You splashed around with us for about 2 hours.  Then, we got Grandma in on the action.  She didn't want to get IN the pool, but we got her head wet!

You had a fabulous time playing in the backyard in the pool.  Hopefully soon you can have a playset as well.

I love you, Bits.
Mommy

Imagination

Dear Parker,

I'm going to interrupt the series of posts about your family adventures to talk about the craziness of your mind.  You have such an imagination.  I feel like lately it's gotten a little out of control.  At night, I have to put up a "force field" around your bed.  Then, I have to take it down to let the good monsters in.  Then, I have to take it down again because the good monsters let the bad monsters in and now they need out.  (I also have to get up, open the door and let ALL the monsters out of your room).  Then I have to put the force field back up.  Ten minutes later there will be a tiger or a polar bear in your room which will need to be dealt with.  Ten minutes after that, Allie will be talking to you so you can't go to sleep.  It just never ends.  I'm not sure if you are actually afraid of these things or if you enjoy pretending or if you are stalling going to bed.  Whatever the case may be - you are a master at creating and imagining things.

I love you.  I hope that you are not afraid of monsters.
Love,
Mommy

Aunt Stacy

Dear Parker,
I'm a bit behind in writing you because we have been SO busy with family!  Your Aunt Stacy came to visit the day after we got home from your Grandparents house.  You always have so much fun with her. We went to the Zoo on Friday afternoon and then the Children's Museum on Saturday morning.

You and Aunt Stacy at the zoo

 You were kind of snippy at the zoo, but did better at the Museum.  I would have liked for you to explore the new exhibit more, but you were much more interested in the familiar ones.

You giving Allie a ride in a TukTuk in the Egypt exhibit at the Museum

 It was great to have Aunt Stacy here for a couple of days because you love playing with her so much.  She certainly makes you happy!

You and Aunt Stacy playing at the Museum

Aunt Stacy was here for a couple days by herself and then Grandma and Grandpa Sharp (and Sally) came.  More to come about that...

I love you,

Mommy

Time with G&G Booga

Dear Parker,

We have spent the last couple of days at your Grandma and Grandpa Booga's house.  You are having a great time.  We bought some pops (which you love) and you blew through a whole pack on the driveway.  Last summer you mostly threw them or stomped them.  This summer you love to JUMP on them.  Look at that air!

You jumping on Pops

Schererville, which is the next town over, was having a carnival/festival thing with rides.  We thought it would be fun, and it was!  You played the duck game twice (and won lots of miscellaneous junk).

Pulling a duck at the "carnival"

The most momentous thing, however, was that you rode something by yourself!  Last summer we took you to the State Fair and you attempted to get on several rides with your Mom, but freaked out at the last second every time.  Your Mom and I were a little concerned that you would do the same thing again.  You are apparently a big girl now because you LOVED this car ride.  The first time you passed us after it had started you yelled, "I'm not afraid!!!!!!"  It was super cute.

Your first carnival ride by yourself!

You also rode the carousel.  We had Mom ride with you just because it goes pretty fast and there's nothing to really strap you on to that horse!

You and Mom on the wicked fast carousel

You loved the car ride so much that you wanted to go on it again.  So, we let you.  This time you chose a firetruck!  Uncle Stu thought that you looked like a pro in the picture I sent him and said that you should go to work for him in the morning! ;)

Ride so nice you rode it twice

The carnival was in a park that had some play equipment that you had a great time crawling all over.

Climbing at the playground

The best part were these rings that you could reach from the ground.  You love hanging but usually need help to reach anything that you could hang from.  You could grab these all by yourself.

Hanging at the playground

This morning, we went to visit Grandpa Booga's new plant while Grandma was at the eye doctor.  You were not super excited at first, but warmed up and kept asking Grandpa to show you more "cool stuff."  You liked the forklift so Grandpa took you for a ride.  You also liked standing on the big scale and looking at all the metal hoses.  Grandpa even cut you off a little piece so you now have your own flexible metal hose.  We went to lunch and after your nap we went to the park.  You had a lot of fun there and even climbed a spider net all by yourself.  We came home and you wanted to play croquet.  But, what you really meant was that you wanted us to play and you wanted to sit in a chair with Mom's iPhone and play the letter game.   We let you for a little bit.    We had dinner and you reluctantly went to bed.  You have been having a good time.  We have one more day before we leave.  I will post some pictures of you at the park tomorrow.

I love you.  You are getting so big.  I forget that you are just 2 still.  I know you are close to 3, but I think many times you act as if you are 4 and I have a hard time remembering to go easy on you when you act your age.  But, I do love you more than anything.  I'm having a great summer with you.

Love,
Mommy

at 2 and 3/4

Dear Parker,

You are getting drastically close to being 3 years old.  We still have 3 months left in which I will call you 2 and 1/2, but you are technically now 2 and 3/4, so I thought I would give a little update about the things you are doing now.
Here goes:

Imaginary play - you are WAY into this.  You take your babies (Allie, Crackers, Tiny Baby, Pig Baby, Squishy Baby, Koko, Glinda and the 3 or so other unnamed babies) to the store, to school and various other places.  You mother them constantly.  You make sure they always have their cloths.  (Yes, each baby now has her own specific cloth that comes with them.  I can't keep them all straight, but you can.)  You make sure they take naps and have the toys they need.  You cook them food.  We took lunch to Mom today and you had to pack a lunch for Allie as well.

Imaginary friends? - I don't know whether or not to call these friends, but we are frequently visited by the Pamas and the Hayfers.  The Pamas are animals, I think.  According to you, they are "Giant" and covered in fur.  They walk on 9 legs, but have no eyes.  They also have hair on their heads in addition to the fur.  Allie does not like the Pamas.  Then, there are the Hayfers.  They are very small and apparently many of them are babies.  We don't yet have much information about their appearance other than they are very small.

New things you are into: Lately you have been obsessed with puzzles.  You have completely mastered all the "pre-school" puzzles in our house (the ones with the picture underneath the puzzle) and you can do several 12 piece regular puzzles (ya know, the kind that come in a box and you have to look at the picture to put them together.)  You help me with the 25 piece puzzles.  You haven't quite figured out the whole "do-the-edges-first" concept.  Instead you like to find all of one thing and put it together.  (Like, let's put together the elephant.)
    
You have a tracing book that I was really hoping you would get into about 3 months ago, but you are very excited about it now.  You trace straight lines and curvy lines, but get a little confused when they combine straight and curvy.  Then you just draw a circle! :)
    
You have also recently become excited about learning your letters.  Thank goodness.  I am confident in saying that you know B, H, O, P, Q, S, W and Z.  There are many others that you get sometimes. You confuse letters that look the same or sound the same....like C with S or I, J, L and T.   I guess that is to be expected.  I would really like you to know them before you go to school in the "fall," but I'm trying to not stress about it or pressure you.
  
 You still like to "read" and make up stories for the books you don't know or recite from memory the books you do know.
    
You have many pretend phones and get many important calls.  Most of them go like this, "HelloHowAreYouGoodOkayBye."  It's all very quick.  At least two times in the past week you have exchanged "texts" with Grandpa Booga in which he has thanked you for the gift cards you bought him.  I'm not sure where you got the idea to buy gift cards, but apparently he enjoyed them. ;)

New Adventures: Yesterday, I was working on staining the fence.  You were trying to be such a good girl and play in the yard by yourself.  Then, the neighbor boy came out and you started "playing" with him through the fence, so I just went over and asked if he wanted to come play in our yard.  So, you had a playdate with a kid neither of us knew very well.  He was pretty well behaved and you seemed to enjoy his company.  Here's the thing though.  He will be 5 next month - so he is more than 2 years older than you are - and you played together just fine.  I guess I don't know if this is normal or not, but you do seem to enjoy hanging out and playing with older kids.  Whatever that means.

Okay, baby.  I guess this is long enough for now.  I can't believe how old you are getting.  You look old and act so grown-up sometimes.  I love you so much but am not quite ready for all this big kid stuff.  I love you so much.
Love,
Mommy

Splash!

Dear Parker,

You have certainly been getting your fill of the summer water activities lately.  Last night, your cousins came over to play and you all played in the pool.  You were much more aggressive with the "swimming" when other kids are around.  I think it also helped that the water was MUCH warmer than it was the first time you used the pool.  You splashed and tried to blow bubbles and dumped water on Alex's head.  There was a slightly scary moment where you lost your balance and went under and couldn't get yourself up, but Uncle Stu was right there and grabbed you.  You were totally fine and even laughed it off!

This morning, Mom needed to go into school for just a little bit, so we came along and went to the park across the street.  In addition to some pretty fun playground equipment, they have a "splash park."  I wasn't sure how you would react to the splash park part seeing that when you run through the sprinkler, you usually run around the sprinkler.

At first, you weren't too sure - just hanging out on the edge of the water.

 You liked wading through the "river" to the big rocks at the end

 but eventually you warmed up and ran through the water like a champ.

 This picture kills me because you look so old running like that.

 The biggest excitement of the day, however, came on the slides.  First there is a ladder to get to this enclosed platform area that leads to all the slides - you just climbed up the ladder all by yourself.  Then, I was trying to keep my eye on you on the platform, but it was very hard to see because it's kind of enclosed and it's pretty high up.  So, I went underneath and was looking around for you.  Then, I looked at the bottom and there you were.  You had gone down the really big slides all by yourself.  Before you had always wanted to go down with Mommy or Mom.

You kept to the biggest twisty slide, which is pretty slow because of all the bends, but then you tried the straight slide.  Mom started moving as soon as she saw you go in, but she didn't get there in time.  You just popped out the bottom and landed flat on your face.  It is a FAST slide.  Very Steep and Very Straight.  You said you had fun on the way down, but you didn't like falling.  That seemed like a good time to go home.  So, we grabbed some lunch (where you ATE an entire sub sandwich that was chocked full of meat) and came home.  It was a really good morning.

I love you so much.  I am looking forward to more days like today.
Love,
Mommy

Social Skillz

Dear Parker,

Saturday was graduation at Mom's school.  This is always a big day because we have to do the ceremony, the reception and then, inevitably, several graduation parties.  You did pretty well through the ceremony.  You made it for over an hour and only missed the last 2 speeches (out of 6, so not too bad.)  All in all, we only missed about 10-15 minutes, which I think is pretty good.  You did alright through the reception, but mostly because we let you eat. (This was not my finest nutrional parenting day, but you didn't die so I'm calling it a success.)

After the reception we had 5 graduation parties to attend. (Not to mention the three on Sunday and the one this evening.) You were a trooper.  There is such a difference between last year and this year.  Last year, you clung to my side the entire time.  This year, you ran off with other small children as well as teenagers.  It's nice.  You are socializing and I don't have a toddler stuck to my hip.  I'm so glad to see the change in your social skills.  I don't know whether to attribute it to school or just you growing up, but either way, my baby is gone.

Right now, I am listening to you "go to sleep."  Riiiiiiight.  We'll keep working on it.

I love you, baby.
Mommy

Catching Up: Visiting Sadie

Dear Parker,

I'm still working on getting caught up.  Over Memorial Day weekend we drove to Columbus to visit our friends, the Smiths.  In the past, we have tried to visit with them and things have gone tragically south - Sadie hasn't slept at all, you got the flu.  It's just been bad, so we were prepared for something awful to happen.  However, things were great.  You each had your moments (usually when you were tired) but overall, you had a fantastic time and loved playing with your friend.

We kept very busy visiting the zoo, the Franklin Conservatory, playing at the park down the street from Sadie's house and going to the Memorial Day Parade.  You had such a great time, but I honestly think you had the most fun when you were chasing each other all over the house - up and down Sadie's super cool loft bed slide.  I hope we can visit them again soon because I think you are going to be really good friends.

I love you,

Mommy

Catching up: Visiting Tyler

Dear Parker,

I've once again fallen a bit behind in your letters (even though I just promised to try to do better.  I guess this is me trying to do better.)  Anyway, a couple weekends ago, we drove to Michigan to finally meet your new cousin, Tyler.  You absolute adored him.  You were very patient waiting to hold him.  You had to wait several hours because he was eating and then we had to go to Uncle Steven's game and then you needed to take a nap.  But, when you finally got to hold him, you didn't want to put him down.  you held him for about 40 minutes.  You were so excited!  (A picture is below - they loaded in the wrong order.)

Aunt Stacy also came up for a little bit and you were so excited to see her.  I managed to capture your welcome hug.  It's so cute.  I love how much you love your Aunt Stacy.  You had tons of fun playing with your Aunts and Uncle and Grandma.

 We spent a few hours and Grandma and Grandpa's house before heading home and you, of course, wanted to jump on the trampoline.  The last time you were on the trampoline was last July and you are so much bigger now.  Last year you didn't even know how to jump.  Now, it's one of your favorite pastimes.  So, you just hopped up and started jumping.  I think, if given the chance, you would have stayed on there all day.

We had a great, but quick, visit.  I'm hoping we get to see everyone again soon.  You LOVE your cousins.
I love you.
Mommy

I'm sorry.

Dear Parker,

I have not had the best day and I was not the most patient with you.  I'm sorry for that.  I'm also sorry that I STILL haven't figured out how to get the the things that I want for our family.  I'm sorry that we are just muddling through.  But, I do love you more than anything and I recognize how lucky we are to have such a funny, smart, healthy, amazing little girl.

I will be better tomorrow.
I love you,
Mommy

Almost Summer

Dear Parker,

I meant to write you a letter Friday night because there were so many cute things that you did, but I got so busy packing and getting ready for our weekend that I ran out of time.  I’ll see if I can remember the things I wanted to tell you about.  My birthday was Sunday and on Thursday night, you and your Mom went and bought me a present.  On Friday morning, you were so excited that you blurted out , “Mommy!  We got you pink flip-flops!”  Then, you started crying and said, “Oh. It was a surprise.”  It took me quite a while to get you calmed down because you were so upset.  

After school, Mom and I met with Ms. Doreen for your end-of-year conference.  She said you are doing great and are ready do to move to the Pre-School room.  I can’t believe that you are old enough to go to Pre-School!  But, I’m so proud of you for doing so well in school.  The only thing Ms. Doreen said that she would say you could work on was just interacting with other kids – not that you are behind or abnormal in that area, but that it is your weakest – if that makes sense.  She recommended lots of play dates this summer.  Sounds good.  J

After your conference, Mom had to go to a meeting and we went to get the oil in my car changed.  You were very interested in the process.  You watched through the window the whole time.  After that, we went to dinner, played on the playground for a few minutes, got ice cream and then went to Old Navy because they had flip-flops on sale and you Love shoes.  I let you get 2 pair.  You are now officially spoiled.

You knew we were going to meet your cousin Tyler this weekend and were ready to go right then.  We couldn’t leave until the morning, but you wanted to GO.  You kept asking when we were leaving.  I told you we couldn’t leave until Mom got home and that you had to go to bed.  The next morning, I attempted to sneak in your room to get a couple things to pack without waking you yet, but you popped right up and asked, “Is Mom home yet?  Can we go to Tyler’s?” 

Once we arrived, you were pretty patient.  Tyler needed to eat and then we had to go to Steven’s baseball game. When we got back you were really tired, so you took a nap  and THEN you got to hold Tyler.  You loved, loved, loved holding him.  You held him, in various positions, for probably about an hour.  You are pretty good with babies for being only 2 ½.    

Sunday, we went to your Grandma’s house and you jumped on the trampoline.  You are so much different than you were last year.  Last year you didn’t know how to jump so you relied on others to make you bounce.  This year, you just started jumping away.  You thought it was awesome.

I’m very much looking forward to summer and this weekend (Summer is not officially this weekend, but I’m pretending it is.)  We are going to visit your friend Sadie.  I hope that you two will hit it off and play nicely.

I love you so much Parker Alyse.

Happy Almost Summer,

Mommy

Trying harder

Dear Parker,
As I was bored at work today, I went back and read some of your letters and I realized that I have become a bit of a slacker mommy in regard to writing you letters.  So, this is me trying harder.  We have about one more week of school and we are both anxiously waiting.  Tonight as you were going to sleep you asked how long until summer and I said one week.  You started clapping because you were so excited.  Also as we were laying in bed, you asked, "Mommy? Do you like pink and blue?"  I told you I did and then you said, "Mommy?  Do you like brown too?"  I again told you that I did.  Apparently, the birthday shopping that you did tonight involved these colors.  I think it's so sweet that you wanted to make sure I would like it. :)  We have your end of year conference at school tomorrow.  I'm a little nervous, which is silly because you are amazing and regardless of what anyone says, I will always love you more than anything.

This weekend we are going to meet your cousin Tyler.  You are very excited to meet him.  (I am too!)  You are so good with babies and you love them so much.

On a not as positive note, you have been screaming lately.  I'm sure it's my fault because I know that I raise my voice sometimes and I'm sure that's where you picked it up, but you have been yelling at me and thinking you are in charge lately.  I think it's getting better, but we do need to keep working on it.

Okay, well that's it for now, but I will write more - at least over the summer.

I love you SO much.  You are such a big girl and you amaze me every day.
Love,
Mommy

Delinquent Mommy

Dear Parker,

I have been a bad mommy lately.  I haven’t been writing down the amazing things that you do or say.  It’s just been recently that I’ve even been able to spend time with you – and you know it.  You get upset if I leave the room and anytime someone comes over, you ask if we are going to stay with you.  You think everyone is a babysitter.  Drop-offs at school have not been fabulous, but have been getting better.  Today, Miss Jackie wasn’t there so I had to bribe you with going to the park after school to get you to not cry when I left.  I’m not sure it was my finest parenting moment, but I didn’t want you to be upset.  I think you do better when you aren’t.  I REALLY hope that the rain stays away so that we can go to the park this afternoon.  I had so much fun with you over the weekend – even though you can throw quite the tantrum lately – playing on the deck with you.  We were both laughing so hard.  You were trying to use a bubble pipe.  I filled it with bubbles for you, but you accidentally sucked instead of blowing.  You pulled it out of your mouth and looked like you were foaming!  We both started laughing.   I went in to get you a drink of water and when I handed it to you, you accidentally dropped it and spilled it everywhere.  Then, we were REALLY laughing.  It was so fun.  Grandma came over in the afternoon and we drew with chalk and your “rode” your bike and we went for a walk.  You love going for walks.  I think maybe, this summer, after your bath we could take you for a walk in your wagon.  I think you would like that.  Okay, well, now I’m rambling.  

I love you so much Parker.  I will try to write more soon.

Love,

Mommy

Again.

Dear Parker,

Again, I am tragically behind. So much so that I don't even know where to start.  I'm just going to jot down things that are going on with you right now.

*Today at Wal-Mart, Mom and I were looking and something and I glanced over at you to make sure you were staying out of trouble.  You were standing by a rack of hula-hoops wearing this hilarious pouty face.  Of course, you got the hula-hoop.  You didn't even have to ask.  We are suckers.

*You love being outside.  We completely exhausted you this weekend.  Yesterday, you had Parker and Mom day.  You asked to go to both the museum and the zoo.  So, you did.  You were wiped.  Today, you played outside all day.  Then you fell asleep on the couch at 5pm.

*Your favorite songs right now are "My Favorite Things" and "King of New York."  You're pretty hilarious.  If you miss a lyric, you make us go back and start the song over.  You just wander around singing various verses to "My Favorite Things."

*You are VERY bossy.  We are working on it, but man.  Baby.  It's killer.

3 more weeks kiddo.  We'll get our lives back.  I love you.