We had a great Halloween weekend with you! We did Boo at the zoo on Friday night, Trunk or Treat at church on Sunday and then neighborhood trick or treating tonight.
Side note that I don't want to forget: On the way to Boo at the zoo we were talking about names that people call their grandparents (like you have grandmommy, grandaddy, and grammy bec). We asked you what you thought you might want your kids to call us one day. Your response was awesome. When we become grandparents, we will be Uncle Herrick and Anna! Where do you come up with this stuff?!? We love your brain and spirit!
We are back in the swing of things and busy, busy, busy! Between work, school, and church we rarely have down time lately, but for the first time in a long time we are really plugged into a community. You have great friends through church and school as do Daddy and I. We have family close by and our out of town family travels well so we see them a lot. God really knew what he was doing when he sent us to South Carolina! We hope you will enjoy growing up here for years to come!
Videos of you lately: the first one is your first soccer game. You LOVE soccer and are really good! The second is of your testing your new shoes for a fashion show at church this week. Forgive me for posting, since you are in your underwear, but you are too cute!
Favorite things right now:
best friend: Gretchen
foods: you eat all the time! You especially love bread (quesadilla rolls) lolipops, pizza, apples, cheerios, quesadillas, chips, and baby bell mini cheese.
to do: play in your playroom and create parties for everyone to attend; have dance parties, watch ipad movies and tv shows
to say: sight words. You are sounding out and "reading" three letter words, you also repeat phrases that you hear us say all the time such as "I can hardly believe it", "Bless her heart", etc.
to go: zoo, Aunt Stacey and Uncle Mitch's house
your personality: all kindness all the time! You recently got upset with me for being "mean" to someone on the phone. When I explained that this person was trying to scam me by pretending to be an IRS agent and get my social security number to steal money from me, you said "Mom. It doesn't matter. You should be nice to everyone and I never want to hear you be mean to anyone on the phone again." You have such a sweet and gentle soul and you are so right. We should be kind no matter what. Always stay true to that.
wearing: fake glasses each day. The first time you wore them you told me that you looked like a "wearian." When I asked what you meant you said "you know, like the ladies who give out books." You meant librarian and look like such a precious librarian in your glasses that you wear EVERYWHERE lately.
You are snuggled up beside me watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory right now and I'm so grateful for your sweet little toes curled up on my lap and the way you wiggle and move around every two seconds. Your warmth next to me and the million cute questions you keep asking me about the movie make me so happy. I love you so much today and every day, but every day is not like today. Today I got hugs and kisses and extra snuggles as you are a bit nervous about going back to school tomorrow. Yesterday I got attitude and a tongue stuck out at me when I asked you to get dressed. Today I get to watch a movie with you. Yesterday I had to beg you to get ready to go have some fun at the zoo. You, my love, are a stubborn child. You know what you want and you aren't afraid to let anyone know it. While we butt heads and my temper gets the best of me some days, I'm not writing this to complain. I'm writing this to let you know that no matter what happens in the heat of the moment, I love you and am proud of you. Yes, it makes it difficult when we go through five pairs of socks and shoes in the morning before settling on the ones that "don't hurt" (they all fit by the way). Yes, I sometimes yell when I shouldn't. Yes, you get your bottom spanked when you talk back or sometimes try to kick or hit. BUT in the end, you are just standing up for what is right for you. It is my prayer every day that Daddy and I can help to shape these stubborn tendencies so that you aren't spoiled or rude and that you learn to "go with the flow" while still standing up for what is right for you and important to you. We can't wait to see the wonderful, stubborn lady you will become and we are happy to do the hard part of parenting now so we can be your friend later!
We had more great moments than cranky ones this summer and I loved spending my time off with you! Here are some more pics to help us remember the rest of the summer of 2016:
We just got back from a fantastic week on Edisto Island! The first half of the week was spent with Grandmommy and Grandaddy and the second half with Grammy, Uncle Mitch, and Aunt Stacey. We had a fun relaxing time spending the days at the beach and the pool, eating yummy food, and playing. Your favorite parts were building sand castles, burying me in the sand, being pulled in your buggy, and jumping in the pool. You have no fear and did cannonballs and everything at only four years old. We were so happy to create these memories with you this week and hope for many more happy beach memories in the years to come
You had a birthday week instead of day this year! You asked for a safari themed party and we discussed that it would just be family this year. However, when the invitations were ready you wanted to take them to school. Since we moved on your birthday last year and you have really enjoyed going to school friends' birthdays this year, we let you have a circus party the week before your birthday and a family safari party the week after. On your birthday, you had swim lessons and then we went to the Mexican restaurant where they sung to you and gave you yummy ice cream. You enjoyed the week thoroughly and were so well-behaved for all the birthday events. The two parties might have been slightly confusing though, as on the morning of the second you asked, "So I'm five now?" It was precious! We can't believe four years have gone by so quickly! You have the best heart and you are so funny! You have a zest for life and know EXACTLY what you want. We can't wait to see all the awesome things you accomplish and wish you many many more happy birthdays to come!
