Doodlebug - Tally Mark 96

Dear Rie,

As we left the baseball field last night, you said, "Five more hours until my birthday!"  I told you that at that time, eight years ago, we were just finishing up at a Mexican restaurant when I started having contractions.  I knew those feelings were only the beginning and you'd be joining our family soon after.

This year, as an eight year old, you're going to be baptized.  You have a bookmark of Jesus in the water and it reminds you of him being baptized in a river.  When we first started talking about  your baptism, you said from the very beginning that you wanted to be baptized in a river.  Since there's been a lot of snow this year, and rivers run really fast, we thought a lake might be a safer bet.  So that's the plan!  You also don't want anyone there but Daddy, The Lime, and me (someone from the bishopric will have to be there, too).  Can I tell you how excited I am to have just our family there to enjoy this special day?

The reason why you just want our family there is because you're still shy.  Definitely not like you used to be, though!  I was talking with The Lime last night (also at baseball), and asked him if he remembered your first season of Fall Ball.  Your coach asked each of you who your favorite team and baseball player were.  You had answers but were so scared to speak in front of people that The Lime had to do it for you.  It made me so happy to see you sitting on the bench last night, talking and having a good time with your teammates.  We were at a Mexican restaurant last week (we like Mexican food) and one of your classmates walked in.  You both said hi to each other as he passed us.  That was huge!!  You're also getting better at ordering your own food and asking for things by yourself.  I know this is a challenge for you.  The small steps you're taking will lead you to so many wonderful opportunities!

Speaking of baseball, you are on the Red Sox this year with Coach Mike (he was your Fall Ball coach last year).  You've loved pitching and catching, and have made some great hits and plays.  You've gotten the game ball once and are always disappointed you haven't gotten it again, because you're always so proud of how you've played.  You're a natural on the field and Daddy has thrown around the idea of playing travel ball.  That makes you nervous but I'd know you'd do great if you decided to play.

When you're not playing baseball, you're on a device.  I think I may have had something to do with that (you've been watching YouTube your whole life).  You love watching other people play video games or playing games yourself.  We recently bought you a stylus pen so you could draw on the iPad.  I love when you bring home pictures from school that you've drawn because you're so stinkin' talented!  You soak up anything you focus on and it amazes me what your little brain has stored in it.  At school yesterday, you got to look at and hold a vole skeleton.  You were so excited to share with me everything you learned about it (and it was a lot!).  I had to ask you questions because I didn't know what you were talking about.  Keep that love for learning up!

Earlier this year, we struggled with some negative thoughts and rough emotions.  We still don't know where they came from but it was hard to hear you say the things you did.  I hope you know that no matter what, Daddy, The Lime, and I will love you.  You are the best Rie in the entire world and our family wouldn't be complete without you in it.  It's hard for you to express your emotions and it makes you a bit overwhelmed.  We're learning to take breaks to allow things to settle so we can talk about them without getting mad (both of us).  It makes me a little nervous for what you'll be like as a teenager (with hormones) so hopefully we can figure a good method out now.

One thing I hope you still do as a teenager is say, "Mommy?  Guess what!"  And then you tell me you love me.  That's been our thing since you could talk and it makes my heart swell.  You still ask for lovies and you occasionally ask me or Daddy to snuggle with you at night.  You always give us hugs and kisses before bed.  You have, though, started walking to your class by yourself when I drop you off for school in the mornings.  I know it's a step in the right independent direction but it also feels strange.  I'm proud of you for being brave and trying new things by yourself.

Some fun things about you are that you love the color red (and you'll sometimes dress in red from head to toe), you still have your mohawk (and you let us do a real mohawk a couple months ago), you have my big teeth and Daddy's small mouth (we'll see how that works out for you), you're much smaller than The Lime was at this age (you tried his suits on and you were swimming in them), your best friend is Tyler (he's been in every class with you so far), you love to read and zip through books so fast.

You're my best Rie and I'm excited to see what the next year brings you!

Love,

Mama

The Lime - Tally Mark 144

 Dear Freddy,

The big 12!  You received the priesthood on January 2 and have passed the Sacrament the last two weeks.  You also got to go to the temple on January 12 and do baptisms for the dead.  You love passing the Sacrament but said the baptisms were weird.  You didn't like having to change, and Daddy told you to get used to it because it's going to be like that for the rest of your life.  Daddy was out of town the night of baptisms, and I was home with RieRie because he's sick.  Uncle Keith was able to take you and I was so glad you weren't completely without family that night.  We'll have to take you back with Daddy and me to hopefully dissolve some of the weirdness.

You decided to start growing your hair out last year, after a haircut in March.  Lots of people have commented on it and suggested you cut it.  You refuse to listen to them.  I love that about you!  You do what you like and aren't influenced by the opinions of others.  You came home from school the other day and said a girl was giving you weird looks about your Dude Perfect bracelets.  You asked her what she was looking at and she timidly said, "Nothing."  Even if she had said something, I know you would continue wearing them.

Last year's letter said you decided not to play baseball, and that was the original plan.  But then you went to the park and saw Coach Dan.  He asked if you were going to play and you told him no.  From the time it took you to ride home from the park (less than five minutes), you decided you did want to play.  I emailed Coach Dan that night and he said if we registered you within the hour, he could get you on a team.  You ended up making it on to the A's, a moment we waited five years for.  You thrived at shortstop and took on the leader role of the team.  You were nominated for All-Stars but weren't picked.  You played Fall Ball and were put on a team with mostly travel ball kids.  It was a challenge for you to keep up but you never quit.  Please remember to never quit!  Always try your hardest!  Daddy and I are your biggest cheerleaders but you're the only one that can push yourself to do your very best.

Middle school has been an adjustment for you.  The first trimester was a bit rough but you've done amazing so far in the second.  You seem to have a test of quiz every other day which stinks because you hate studying.  Your math teacher reminds you a lot of Ms. Coulter (they're both young, have blonde hair, and love otters & Harry Potter).  You hate that you have to wear masks at school but have found solace with your friend Liam, as you have the same thoughts and opinions about Covid-19 and masks.  You started the year riding bikes to school with Cohen but that changed with our neighbor Logan started riding with you.  When it started getting cold & rainy, I drove you and Logan in the morning and his mom brought you home.  I think you've gotten used to it because it's not as cold, nor wet, but you still ask to drive.  You love getting to school on-time and worry if we're even just a few minutes off schedule.  That trait came from me.

You still love playing with Jackson and Wyatt but they'll be moving in March.  Rylen moved last year but you've played with Nico a lot.  Which is funny because Nico is in RieRie's class.  You've influenced him to play baseball and wear camo hats with Vans.  I think you like being the older kid that everyone looks up to.  We just have to remind you that you aren't the boss and you can't use your age as a reason to tell people what to do.

We broke the news to you last night that Santa doesn't have a white beard nor does he live in the North Pole.  You said you were a little sad but started catching on when kids at school talked about what they got for Christmas.  You said you didn't care whether or not the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, or leprechauns were real.  You still wondered how Mommy & Daddy were able to buy you and Rie bikes a couple years ago.  We simply said, "That's the magic of Christmas."

You are about an inch away from being as tell as me, which is weird even though we knew it was going to happen.  Despite being big, you still have Lucifer and sleep with it every night.  You love Tech Decks and dressing up for Nerf battles.  You tried on your old fireman outfit a few weeks ago and did your best to convince me it still fit.  You aren't shy and still love pizza.  You inhale your food and take pride in having eaten nine slices of pizza in one sitting.  You could eat an entire box of Cheez-Its if you wanted but you still don't like breakfast.  You watched Mrs. Doubtfire for the first time a few weeks ago and you like Top Gun.  You love cars and are very passionate in your opinions on what you think are the best ones.  You love going to the dirt jumps across the street as well as the ones by the half pipe.  You wish you had a mountain bike because of the suspension but we told you you'd have to buy it for yourself.  Snuggling is still your favorite and you especially love when Aksel lays down with you on the couch.

Time keeps zipping by and I hope you're having fun.  I sure am, and I'm treasuring these years we have together before you venture off on your next adventure.  Be kind to others and yourself.  Remember you can do anything you put your mind to.  You are amazing and I love being your mom!

Love,

Mama