This summer was filled with milestones for you. Not only did you throw your paci in the trashy two months before you turned three, but you also started riding a big boy bike ("with tracks!"), you moved into a big boy bunk bed and have been sleeping GREAT all summer. You dropped your daily nap when you ditched the paci, but have adjusted well to having quiet time in its place. You play, think, and communicate creatively - brainstorming silly situations and solutions. We have real conversations and you ask big questions - they usually start with the word why? You have been going to big boy Sunday School and have even memorized the Bible Verse with the big kids. You are the only kid in your class to use motions when they sing the songs. You've also developed quite a few manners - including asking to be excused from the table after a meal, avoiding talking about "potty stuff" anywhere but home, consistently using the magic words and sharing your toys with your friends. In short, you are one amazing kid.
So what did we do this summer?
We took lots of trips to the bribary, which you LOVE. I usually sneak one story book into our pile, but you would be just fine if we only ever checked out non-fiction. You've memorized all sorts of facts about trucks, "Unique Machines", sports, animals, and airplanes.
You also went on lots of really long (2 miles!) bike rides with Daddy and Dodger on your new bike. They usually end with you coming into the house with a loud sigh asking for "sompthin' to drink because I'm sweatin'."
We only made it to the beach once (it was super hot this summer, buddy - sorry about that.) You played in the channel and collected an entire bucket of rocks, which you quickly added to your rock garden (which I did not know you had) on the side of the driveway. I wonder if you remember it's there... I'll ask you about that later.
One big helper thing you did this summer was to really embrace our morning routine. It has been so awesome to get us all out of the house on time and happy this summer. You are a big helper as long as we stick to routine. And you love to show me how fast you can get into the van all by yourself. I'm a lucky mommy.
Speaking of being lucky, that's always what Daddy says he is when you tell him you love him more. You always say, "I love you, too" or "I love you more" when we love on you and it is food for my soul, Benjamin. Sometimes you even say it first! And when Daddy says, "Oh - you won, but I'm the luckiest daddy" - you eat your trophy. What's up with that, really? Nevermind - forget I asked. Just don't quit doing it right away, okay?
You are so excited to meet your baby sister. You talk about her as if she is already part of our family and that makes me so proud. You are going to be an amazing big brother. I pray for Daddy and my ability to continue to show you just how special and loved you are once you have to share our attention.
You're already talking about taking her camping. We took one camping trip as a family this summer and we stayed in Ludington. It was early June and you spent 2 days asking to go back home and one day telling us you never wanted to leave. After that, you wished we were camping every weekend. Luckily, Grandma and Grandpa Johnson gave you a few extra camping nights in August and you even got to swim in a pool with a basketball hoop.
You've had lots of play days with your friends Abbie, Kya, Joser, Grace & Noah and Sam. You regularly ask to see your friends and cousins and I can't get over how social you are. You really take after your daddy that way.
We picked strawberries and watched daddy play with his new band, The Billies. You also mowed the lawn, helped me do laundry, and played tons of lacrosse and basketball. Our life was full this summer, cherishing every moment possible with you, making as many memories as possible - eagerly awaiting adding a fourth to our little family of three.
I love you so very much I don't even know how to describe it. Here are just a few pictures of our summer. I hope they capture just a piece of the joy you've brought us.
love,
Mommy
Dressing up at Lily's birthday party
Strawberry picking!
Hiking in Ludington
Checking out Daddy's first gig at the Street Performers Series
John Ball Zoo!
Tickles outside the ice cream store
Driving trucks at Tulip Time
Lacrosse
Bringing me breakfast in bed on Mothers Day.
Just you and Mommy at the Childrens Museum
Just you and Daddy at Crazy Bounce
Helping Daddy cut down our mulberry tree
Look at those huge muscles!
1 comment:
Have you ever felt your heart smile? I think that's what this post made mine do. You and Keith are such fantastic, inspirational, devoted parents and I have no doubt you will manage this with grace. The biggest difference BRH will notice is an increase in the amount of love that flows within your home.
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