-Is growing his hair out. We'll see how long it gets, and how crazy is makes everyone, before we breakdown and cut it.
-Says "Let's go!" every time he gets excited about something.
-After eating salami nearly every day for lunch since kindergarten, he's now willing to take ham.
-Has also been known to take a Caesar salad.
-Still has Lucifer; sleeps with it, takes it on trips, sniffs its back when he's sitting on the couch.
-Likes to read (so unlike his parents).
-Wants to play basketball next fall instead of baseball.
-Wears a 5.5 shoe, medium shirt, and size 10 pants.
-Has to coordinate his clothes/shoes/hats. If he wears a Nike shirt, everything else (down to his socks) have to be Nike. Same goes for Under Armour.
-Still has a REALLY hard time saving money.
-Would play with our neighbor, Logan, all day/every day if he could.
-Hates breakfast but tolerates an apple sauce pouch each morning.
-Is slowly but surely learning how to tie a necktie.
-No longer watches regular TV, just YouTube.
-Is definitely my child. A classmate touched the cap of his water bottle and he insisted I take it home and wash it before he used it again.
-Still likes to pretend and can often be heard making race car sounds.
-Even though he's almost bigger than me, he still asks if I can carry him to bed every once in a while.
-Has a bit of an attitude and likes to tell us to "hold on."
-I'd like to tell him to "hold on" when it comes to growing up and stay my little Lime forever!
Friday, January 18, 2019
The Lime - Tally Mark 108 - Part 1
Dear Freddy,
I love that you still let me call you Freddy. In fact, you insist I call you Freddy. The other day, Tyler (the boy we babysit) asked who Freddy was and you quickly replied with, "ME!"
While this time is always so exciting for you, mainly because you can't wait to find out what your presents will be, it's a little hard for me. I always go back to the first January 17th and I think about all the work my body went through to prepare for your arrival. Now I just think about how it's my last day to savor you at a particular age. Like how when I kissed you goodnight last night, it was the last time I'd be doing it with you as an 8 year old.
But this letter isn't about me. It's about you!
A few months into 2018, we weren't sure where we'd end up. More than anything, Daddy and I wanted to keep our lives (your life) as close to the way its been as possible. We were worried you wouldn't be at the same school, with the same baseball league, or near your friends like you've been the last 5 years. Thankfully, we were able to move down the street and you gained a great friend next door.
We knew about Logan, just from seeing him at school or in the neighborhood, but you hadn't built a relationship with him. That quickly changed this summer and you two hit it off immediately. You both go back and forth between our houses, you play in the court across the street, and all I can think about is how grateful I am you have someone right next door you can call a good friend.
All of the first-fifth graders at your school participate in the Morning Walk (where we walk around the perimeter of the playground until the bell rings). The teachers help with the yard duty during this time and all the way back in first grade, you noticed a particular teacher on the basketball courts. From that point on, you hoped and wished she would be your third grade teacher. Imagine your excitement when you saw the class lists posted for third grade and you saw you were in her class. She thinks just as highly of you and I'm so glad everything worked out in your favor.
You got your first taste of AA baseball last fall to help you for the upcoming spring season. Every season, you come to the conclusion that your favorite position is _________ (it changes every year). This time, you tried your hand at pitching and decided you really like it. I'm anxious to see you work hard in the next few months and magnify your talents. Every time someone asks you what you want to be when you grow up, you tell them a professional baseball player. If that ends up happening, I can't wait to share all of your little league stories and photos!
The other night, I forget exactly what we were doing but I pretended to cry and, without hesitation, you got a concerned look on your face and knelt down to get a better look at my face. "She's joking," said Daddy. But I was taken back because you did the EXACT same this as a toddler. If anyone fake (or really) cried, you were the first one to see what was wrong and try to console them. I love that even though you're growing out of the little kid phase, you still harbor the same wonderful qualities.
Like pretending. When Auntie Amy and her family were over on Christmas, you, your brother, and your cousins dressed up and were playing some game. Auntie Amy looked at me and said, "I love that he still pretends!" We were getting ready to leave for the Pinewood Derby tonight and I could hear you making car sounds in your bedroom as you were getting your shoes on. You beg the boys we babysit to play Cops & Robbers with you. Please be a pretender forever! It's quite possibly my favorite thing about you.
Thank you for trying, most of the time, to do the right thing. Thank you for doing your homework every night. Thank you for still wanting to snuggle with us and for ensuring we give you a kiss goodnight. Thank you for watching our for your little brother. You two are going to have so much fun at the same school in the next two years. Thank you for coming to our family and being the best Lime we could have ever asked for.
I hope this year is simply amazing for you.
Love you tons!
Mommy
I love that you still let me call you Freddy. In fact, you insist I call you Freddy. The other day, Tyler (the boy we babysit) asked who Freddy was and you quickly replied with, "ME!"
While this time is always so exciting for you, mainly because you can't wait to find out what your presents will be, it's a little hard for me. I always go back to the first January 17th and I think about all the work my body went through to prepare for your arrival. Now I just think about how it's my last day to savor you at a particular age. Like how when I kissed you goodnight last night, it was the last time I'd be doing it with you as an 8 year old.
But this letter isn't about me. It's about you!
A few months into 2018, we weren't sure where we'd end up. More than anything, Daddy and I wanted to keep our lives (your life) as close to the way its been as possible. We were worried you wouldn't be at the same school, with the same baseball league, or near your friends like you've been the last 5 years. Thankfully, we were able to move down the street and you gained a great friend next door.
We knew about Logan, just from seeing him at school or in the neighborhood, but you hadn't built a relationship with him. That quickly changed this summer and you two hit it off immediately. You both go back and forth between our houses, you play in the court across the street, and all I can think about is how grateful I am you have someone right next door you can call a good friend.
All of the first-fifth graders at your school participate in the Morning Walk (where we walk around the perimeter of the playground until the bell rings). The teachers help with the yard duty during this time and all the way back in first grade, you noticed a particular teacher on the basketball courts. From that point on, you hoped and wished she would be your third grade teacher. Imagine your excitement when you saw the class lists posted for third grade and you saw you were in her class. She thinks just as highly of you and I'm so glad everything worked out in your favor.
You got your first taste of AA baseball last fall to help you for the upcoming spring season. Every season, you come to the conclusion that your favorite position is _________ (it changes every year). This time, you tried your hand at pitching and decided you really like it. I'm anxious to see you work hard in the next few months and magnify your talents. Every time someone asks you what you want to be when you grow up, you tell them a professional baseball player. If that ends up happening, I can't wait to share all of your little league stories and photos!
The other night, I forget exactly what we were doing but I pretended to cry and, without hesitation, you got a concerned look on your face and knelt down to get a better look at my face. "She's joking," said Daddy. But I was taken back because you did the EXACT same this as a toddler. If anyone fake (or really) cried, you were the first one to see what was wrong and try to console them. I love that even though you're growing out of the little kid phase, you still harbor the same wonderful qualities.
Like pretending. When Auntie Amy and her family were over on Christmas, you, your brother, and your cousins dressed up and were playing some game. Auntie Amy looked at me and said, "I love that he still pretends!" We were getting ready to leave for the Pinewood Derby tonight and I could hear you making car sounds in your bedroom as you were getting your shoes on. You beg the boys we babysit to play Cops & Robbers with you. Please be a pretender forever! It's quite possibly my favorite thing about you.
Thank you for trying, most of the time, to do the right thing. Thank you for doing your homework every night. Thank you for still wanting to snuggle with us and for ensuring we give you a kiss goodnight. Thank you for watching our for your little brother. You two are going to have so much fun at the same school in the next two years. Thank you for coming to our family and being the best Lime we could have ever asked for.
I hope this year is simply amazing for you.
Love you tons!
Mommy
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Lake Tahoe 2018
My brother called me on Wednesday letting me know he was in Reno visiting his friend Jesse and asked if we wanted to meet them in Tahoe on Friday. I immediately texted LaVor to see if he thought he'd be able to take the day off. Within a few hours, he said he was off and I let me brother know we'd be at the beach with bells on.
We haven't seen my brother and his family for two years, since my dad's heart surgery, and we hadn't seen Jesse and his family since The Lime's baby blessing (say what?!?!). We all picked up right where we left off, including the kids, and had a wonderful few hours under the sun.
Our boys (the little ones) immediately jumped in the frigid cold water and just about froze their buns off. They'd get out of he water, complain how cold they were, then jump right back in. This process was repeated multiple times throughout the day.
Other brave souls jumped in the lake but I was not one of them. Unless I was sitting directly in the sun, I was cold and I knew the second I went in the water, I'd never be able to recover. And honestly, I hate being cold so exposing my skin to the harsh Lake Tahoe sun was good enough for me.
We saw fellow beach goers jump off poles into the middle of the lake, a mama duck and her babies, and more geese and ducks than we wanted (dang, do they beg!).
The wives chatted, the husbands chatted, everyone snacked, and the kids played until it was time to go. We had to be back home for The Lime's baseball party so on the road we went but because I'm my father's daughter, I had to take a few group photos before packing up.
We've realized we've visited Lake Tahoe for the last three summers and don't know why we don't visit more often. We'll see what happens in the next 12 months.
We haven't seen my brother and his family for two years, since my dad's heart surgery, and we hadn't seen Jesse and his family since The Lime's baby blessing (say what?!?!). We all picked up right where we left off, including the kids, and had a wonderful few hours under the sun.
Our boys (the little ones) immediately jumped in the frigid cold water and just about froze their buns off. They'd get out of he water, complain how cold they were, then jump right back in. This process was repeated multiple times throughout the day.
We saw fellow beach goers jump off poles into the middle of the lake, a mama duck and her babies, and more geese and ducks than we wanted (dang, do they beg!).
The wives chatted, the husbands chatted, everyone snacked, and the kids played until it was time to go. We had to be back home for The Lime's baseball party so on the road we went but because I'm my father's daughter, I had to take a few group photos before packing up.
We've realized we've visited Lake Tahoe for the last three summers and don't know why we don't visit more often. We'll see what happens in the next 12 months.
Friday, June 8, 2018
2nd Grade in the Bag
Seriously, folks! How has another school year gone by?! This has been a little bit of a dramatic 10 months (who knew 8 year old boys could be so catty?) but also a fun one.
I had the opportunity to be the Music Docent for The Lime's class this year. Even though I had no clue what I was doing most of the time, I ended up having fun and I think the kids learned a thing or two. Also, I felt like it gave me a chance to get to know The Lime's teacher a little bit better and vice versa.
I also got to be the Classroom Photographer, even though there were parents who are professional photographers, so I got to attend all the parties and special events at school.
It was neat to see The Lime's report card on the last day of school and the improvement he's made in all his subjects. He still prefers recess over everything else but he's really taken a liking to reading this year, even more than last. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is his favorite and he begs for a new copy every time we go to Costco.
Although we were grateful he got Mrs. Lee (actually, more grateful he didn't get a certain teacher), I was a little unsure about her after being in the classroom for the first time. She seemed a little rough with the kids and was quick to reprimand. But after being around her more, I realized she's a lot like me and we ended up building a neat relationship. She even came up to me on the last day of school and made a note to tell me how much she appreciated all my help throughout the year and said I was her favorite parent volunteer. Bless her heart! It brought a tear to my eye and made me sad to have to leave her (I always get sad on the last day of school).
The Lime was more than ready for summer to begin and kiss 2nd grade goodbye. He's known who he wants his 3rd grade teacher to be since 1st grade (I think because he thinks she's cute) so we'll see what happens.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Doodlebug - Tally Mark 48 - Part 2
-Spends too much time on the iPad watching YouTube.
-Is an early riser. Sometimes too early, like before the sun comes up.
-Says the sweetest prayers.
-Still gets the hiccups if he laughs too much.
-Hates when people watch him.
-Wears a bowtie to church every week.
-Always takes a handful of Sacrament bread and keeps his cup.
-Thinks he rules the world.
-Likes to say, "What da heck?!" and "Oh my goodness!"
-Will occasionally have PB&J for lunch but still prefers quesadillas.
-Says all sodas are spicy.
-Prefers to apply his own suntan lotion.
-Insists we look at the toys every time we go to Target.
-Is no longer afraid of ladybugs. In fact, he treats them the same as he does babies.
-Likes to exercise so he gets big muscles.
-Gets excited when he sees the letter F.
-Doesn't like loud noises.
-Likes to do different things with his fingers; I love you, rock & roll, and shaka brah.
-I give him two thumbs up for being the best RieRie!
Doodlebug - Tally Mark 48 - Part 1
Dear RieRie,
You have been waiting for this day almost as long as we waited for you! And you made it...you're 4 years old!
This is the year that you become a big boy; you don't wear diapers anymore (except Pull-Ups at night but they're usually dry when you wake up), you started Primary, you can brush your teeth by yourself, you try really hard to buckle your seatbelt by yourself but sometimes need help, and we're getting you to walk more because big boys don't always need Mommy to hold them :) We're also getting you to work on the crying and whining. You tend to cry about EVERYTHING and while it's okay to cry, we don't need to break down every.single.time. something doesn't go our way.
You have lots of best friends and none of them are your immediate family members. Ha! But rather Great Grams & Great Papa, Sister Boden, Eli, McKayla, Natalie, Sophie, and Baby Lilly. You are extremely shy around people you don't know but you go 100 miles/minute around those you love.
Speaking of love, you LOVE babies! Having Baby Lilly in our home and seeing how sweet you are with her, and all babies, has warmed my heart. You share your toys with her, beg to hold her, talk gently to her, and do whatever you can to make her happy. If we ever have another baby, you're going to make the perfect big brother.
But you're still the little brother and you and your big bro fight...A LOT. I sometimes feel like I have twins because what I do for one, I have to do for the other. But you look up to him so much. You can't wait to go to his school, you can't wait to play baseball, you are anxious to pick him up from school each day, and you're always following him around (which may be the reason for the fighting). But I love how much you love him and I hope you always look up to him.
Can I tell you one of the things I love most about you? You love Coldplay! I love driving in the car with you and when we hear Coldplay, you yell at me to turn the radio up. You're also an awesome dancer that can't control his moves when you hear the perfect song. Dance parties are sweeter when you're involved and I can't wait to chaperone your youth dances in 10 years!
You give the best hugs and apparently needed one really bad the other day because it was quite possibly the tightest, most loving hug I've ever received from anyone. We've been getting ready to move and you haven't been getting the attention you need or want so I was more than willing to squeeze you until you eeeekkkked. Feel free to give me those hugs anytime!
You're a rebel at home but when we're in public or with other people, you like to follow the rules and make sure everyone else is following the rules too. You give us the weekly report on who was naughty in Sunbeams, you yell at Natalie to stop on the corner so she doesn't cross the street without us, you encourage McKayla to stay where her mommy can see her at baseball, and you keep tabs on The Lime when he's doing something he shouldn't be. I appreciate that you're obedient with other people, like your Primary teacher, and that I can take you out without worrying about what might happen. You've come with me to The Lime's school on several occasions (music, parties) and you're perfectly content with playing with the classroom toys or puzzles. I've overheard other parents say their kids would never behave the way you do. You can misbehave at home anytime as long as you're good in public :)
This is my last year with you at home before you start Kindergarten and I promise to savor every second. Promise me you'll always be my RieRie!
Enjoy your day, silly boy!
Love,
Mommy
You have been waiting for this day almost as long as we waited for you! And you made it...you're 4 years old!
This is the year that you become a big boy; you don't wear diapers anymore (except Pull-Ups at night but they're usually dry when you wake up), you started Primary, you can brush your teeth by yourself, you try really hard to buckle your seatbelt by yourself but sometimes need help, and we're getting you to walk more because big boys don't always need Mommy to hold them :) We're also getting you to work on the crying and whining. You tend to cry about EVERYTHING and while it's okay to cry, we don't need to break down every.single.time. something doesn't go our way.
You have lots of best friends and none of them are your immediate family members. Ha! But rather Great Grams & Great Papa, Sister Boden, Eli, McKayla, Natalie, Sophie, and Baby Lilly. You are extremely shy around people you don't know but you go 100 miles/minute around those you love.
Speaking of love, you LOVE babies! Having Baby Lilly in our home and seeing how sweet you are with her, and all babies, has warmed my heart. You share your toys with her, beg to hold her, talk gently to her, and do whatever you can to make her happy. If we ever have another baby, you're going to make the perfect big brother.
But you're still the little brother and you and your big bro fight...A LOT. I sometimes feel like I have twins because what I do for one, I have to do for the other. But you look up to him so much. You can't wait to go to his school, you can't wait to play baseball, you are anxious to pick him up from school each day, and you're always following him around (which may be the reason for the fighting). But I love how much you love him and I hope you always look up to him.
Can I tell you one of the things I love most about you? You love Coldplay! I love driving in the car with you and when we hear Coldplay, you yell at me to turn the radio up. You're also an awesome dancer that can't control his moves when you hear the perfect song. Dance parties are sweeter when you're involved and I can't wait to chaperone your youth dances in 10 years!
You give the best hugs and apparently needed one really bad the other day because it was quite possibly the tightest, most loving hug I've ever received from anyone. We've been getting ready to move and you haven't been getting the attention you need or want so I was more than willing to squeeze you until you eeeekkkked. Feel free to give me those hugs anytime!
You're a rebel at home but when we're in public or with other people, you like to follow the rules and make sure everyone else is following the rules too. You give us the weekly report on who was naughty in Sunbeams, you yell at Natalie to stop on the corner so she doesn't cross the street without us, you encourage McKayla to stay where her mommy can see her at baseball, and you keep tabs on The Lime when he's doing something he shouldn't be. I appreciate that you're obedient with other people, like your Primary teacher, and that I can take you out without worrying about what might happen. You've come with me to The Lime's school on several occasions (music, parties) and you're perfectly content with playing with the classroom toys or puzzles. I've overheard other parents say their kids would never behave the way you do. You can misbehave at home anytime as long as you're good in public :)
This is my last year with you at home before you start Kindergarten and I promise to savor every second. Promise me you'll always be my RieRie!
Enjoy your day, silly boy!
Love,
Mommy
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Spring Break at the Park
We're on The Lime's second week of spring break and, unfortunately, we spent a majority of the first week inside watching YouTube videos (thanks to rain every.single.day). Thank goodness, the sun decided to shine on Friday and to the park we went!
The boys saw another group of kids create a little obstacle course and The Lime had to follow suit. It was hard to capture these boys in motion because they're so dang fast but they were sure having fun!
I captured this next photo of The Lime and was immediately taken back over 6 years to another visit we took to the park.
He can't seem to have fun without sticking his tongue out :)
I love that, even though he's almost as big as me, The Lime still loves to play at the park, especially with his little brother.
I was trying to get the boys to leave when we saw our neighbors from down the street walking towards us (the same ones we ran into at Disneyland last spring break). The kids immediately started playing together (even their cute 12 year old daughter) while the mom and I chatted. She's one of the nicest ladies but our relationship has been pretty much say hi at school or wave as we pass each other in the neighborhood.
I overheard her talking one day at school that she quit her job and started working in the schools. Then The Lime came home from school one day and said she was one of the new yard duty ladies. I asked her how things were going and she expressed the same financial frustrations our little family is facing. We both want to help contribute to our households but have the opportunity to stay home with our kids. Thus resulting in not as much money as we once had. She said we were both meant to go to the park that day so we could vent to one another :) It's comforting to know that although some people look like they have their crap together, we're all probably dealing with a lot of the same issues.
As a result of our conversation, she dropped by yesterday to give us some passes to laser tag that we're going to put to great use this weekend!
The weather is even more beautiful this week so we planned to visit a new park with our dear friends, the Swyers. We were the first ones there and the kiddos played hard. We brought soccer balls, basketballs, Frisbees, sidewalk chalk, and they brought their scooters. There wasn't a second where they all weren't having a blast.
Two sweaty hours later, we headed to Taylor's for milkshakes. When we walked in, we saw several missionaries but a bunch of them left while we were in line. After we got our shakes, we went to the patio where two elders were still hanging out. I took a picture of our group when one of the elders asked is he could take a picture of all of us.
"Are you guys members?" he asked. My small clan didn't give it away but our friends have six awesome kids so it was a given. The same elder asked all of the kids' names and asked if we were German. I told him I had ancestors who came from Germany and he said he would have guessed I was the one who immigrated. Bless his heart :) They sat down with us and the kids shared some of their missionary moments. Before they left, the elders asked if we could take their picture and text it to their moms. My friend and I have been talking a lot about technology and our kids, and how we as parents need to cut back when it comes to using our devices. As the elders were walking back to their car, one of their moms responded to the text and asked us to tell them how much she loved them. "That's one of the blessings of technology!" I told my friend. We also knew we were supposed to stay at the park a little longer than we anticipated so we could be at Taylor's at the same time as these elders and share that experience with them.
The park wore us out today so we came home and parked it in front of the TV and watched Toy Story 3. We needed that rest since tomorrow is going to be busy but awesome!
The boys saw another group of kids create a little obstacle course and The Lime had to follow suit. It was hard to capture these boys in motion because they're so dang fast but they were sure having fun!
I captured this next photo of The Lime and was immediately taken back over 6 years to another visit we took to the park.
He can't seem to have fun without sticking his tongue out :)
I love that, even though he's almost as big as me, The Lime still loves to play at the park, especially with his little brother.
I was trying to get the boys to leave when we saw our neighbors from down the street walking towards us (the same ones we ran into at Disneyland last spring break). The kids immediately started playing together (even their cute 12 year old daughter) while the mom and I chatted. She's one of the nicest ladies but our relationship has been pretty much say hi at school or wave as we pass each other in the neighborhood.
I overheard her talking one day at school that she quit her job and started working in the schools. Then The Lime came home from school one day and said she was one of the new yard duty ladies. I asked her how things were going and she expressed the same financial frustrations our little family is facing. We both want to help contribute to our households but have the opportunity to stay home with our kids. Thus resulting in not as much money as we once had. She said we were both meant to go to the park that day so we could vent to one another :) It's comforting to know that although some people look like they have their crap together, we're all probably dealing with a lot of the same issues.
As a result of our conversation, she dropped by yesterday to give us some passes to laser tag that we're going to put to great use this weekend!
The weather is even more beautiful this week so we planned to visit a new park with our dear friends, the Swyers. We were the first ones there and the kiddos played hard. We brought soccer balls, basketballs, Frisbees, sidewalk chalk, and they brought their scooters. There wasn't a second where they all weren't having a blast.
Two sweaty hours later, we headed to Taylor's for milkshakes. When we walked in, we saw several missionaries but a bunch of them left while we were in line. After we got our shakes, we went to the patio where two elders were still hanging out. I took a picture of our group when one of the elders asked is he could take a picture of all of us.
"Are you guys members?" he asked. My small clan didn't give it away but our friends have six awesome kids so it was a given. The same elder asked all of the kids' names and asked if we were German. I told him I had ancestors who came from Germany and he said he would have guessed I was the one who immigrated. Bless his heart :) They sat down with us and the kids shared some of their missionary moments. Before they left, the elders asked if we could take their picture and text it to their moms. My friend and I have been talking a lot about technology and our kids, and how we as parents need to cut back when it comes to using our devices. As the elders were walking back to their car, one of their moms responded to the text and asked us to tell them how much she loved them. "That's one of the blessings of technology!" I told my friend. We also knew we were supposed to stay at the park a little longer than we anticipated so we could be at Taylor's at the same time as these elders and share that experience with them.
The park wore us out today so we came home and parked it in front of the TV and watched Toy Story 3. We needed that rest since tomorrow is going to be busy but awesome!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
