Blue Ridge Beach.

Port Orchard!

Oh what a summer it was!!! We got to spend almost a week in a really fun house on the water in Port Orchard with the Hughes/Deison clan (we missed you, Billy and Olga :)  From daily paddle boarding and kayaking to catching and cooking yummy crab, puzzles, tree swings, poker, beach combing and good ol' fashion family hangs....it was perfect! 

You're FOUR!!!

As I sit down to write this I find myself giggling just thinking about you and all of your little Ewan-isms. You define the word 'individual.'  There is truly no other creature like you....and boy am I over the moon happy that you are ours!  I'm realizing we only have one more year left together with you at home before you start Kindergarten....and I'm going to make sure I don't miss a single second to soak in all of my Ewan time until I burst.  It is so special to me and I know this year will go fast.  Looking back on this past year, you've given us a gazillion things to smile about....here are just a few of the things that made you YOU.  

I'll be honest, the two's challenged us with you and into the three's.  But I finally realized you aren't just any ordinary kid that ordinary guidelines worked for.  You're different.  And different is beautiful.  You respond to love.  Not punishment or reward.  You need patience and hugs and someone to hear your side.  I had to change my parenting style with you...and you taught me how to do that.  And it worked.  You have become such a gentle boy (albeit still peppered with your wily ways)with so much compassion for other peoples feelings.  You recognize when others are hurting and need help.  You're the first to rush over when either Millie or Esmee get hurt or you notice tears.  It is the sweetest thing to watch.  

We love it when you get home from preschool and describe your day.  You disappointedly point out what you didn't like first when asked 'how was your day?'  "Manuela spilled her yogurt on me."  "We did not play race cars today." "My socks got wet at the playground." Once you've informed me of your pitfalls for the day, you dive into the good with a lengthy, detailed explanation filled with pride.  "I built a tower to the sky!" "I painted a beautiful picture for you, Mommy!"  "I ate all my lunch today!" I love that you find it necessary and healing to release the negative first and save the best for last! 

Your favorite food request is "a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with no crusts and no peanut butter...just jelly."  When I say "ok, so just a jelly sandwich?"   You furrow your brow and repeat it firmly with an emphasis on 'peanut butter' as if I'm not listening to your order.  "No, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with no peanut butter!" It makes me giggle.  I adore your quirks....and you have many. 

You are such a charmer and a lover.  You are constantly telling us that we are all your best friends.  And often, including out loud in grocery stores, you will announce "Mommy, I don't want you to die."  Whew!  You will wake me up out of a deep slumber at 3 am yelling "Mommy, Mommy!"  When I rush down half asleep thinking you've just had a nightmare or thrown up, you simply say "i love you so much..." and then you quickly fall back to sleep.  As I rub my eyes and briefly think 'couldn't that have waited until morning???' I instantly fill with pride and glee at how fortunate I am to be the recipient of your love...especially at 3 in the morning. 

You laugh at the misfit, naughty characters in movies and it's because you can relate to them.  You love practical jokes and pranks.  You always tell us when you've farted and want us to smell your stinky feet.  You're known to lock us out of bathrooms and we have to fetch the key.  You will even do this in public restrooms and climb under the stall.  You love mischief and we have to keep our eye on you every second.  You adore your sisters and you adore heckling them.  When you're bored, you grab your whoopie cushion and entertain yourself for minutes on end.  

You have added such a spark and a flame to our family and we can't thank you enough for letting us be a part of your life journey.  If what you brought these last 4 years is any indication of what the future holds, we are in for a thrilling, exciting, wild and wonderful ride.   I love you so, so much, my sweet boy.  Happy Birthday, Little Tiger!  

xx 

Mom

You're TEN!!!

My dearest Millie.  I’ve been so excited for this day to come but also dreading it in my heart.  You turn double digits and it is such a huge milestone for all of us, but at the same time it makes me realize just how fast the days are floating by.  You see, when you love someone so incredibly much that you feel it so deep in your soul, all you want to do is freeze time and make this love and this life last forever.  I love you so incredibly much, Millie and if I could stop time, I would.  But I see what a gift you have to give to the world and what an incredible young lady you’re becoming and realize it would be selfish of me to not let you spread your magic far and wide.   Today you are 10, Millie Beans….and here are a few things we loved about this last year with you…

You are the worlds greatest athlete….from back flips to swimming to soccer and skateboarding…snowboarding, basketball, baseball, tennis and golf.  There is not a sport you can’t handle.  You seem to nail everything you try….like a champ.  You tried out for Celtic Soccer with 250 other girls your age.  The competition was fierce and you worried you might not make the team.  But after 2 days of intense soccer and showmanship, you made the team!  You worked your tail off and proved that you were meant to have a spot on that roster.  

You love performing.  You cartwheel throughout the house, at times to my disdain.  At any given moment you are yodeling, rapping, beat boxing, or singing at the top of your lungs.  As for dance moves, there is no shortage.  You Dab and you Floss.  You make up cheers and you break dance.  You'll challenge anyone to a dance off.  You love talking in foreign accents and dressing up in costumes.  Be it my wigs or high heels, your imagination knows no limits.  Your love of all things drama and your creativity are so fun to watch.  

You are a leader and lead by example.  You make sure no one is in the outer circle.  I mean this physically and literally.  I've seen you open up a group of girls huddled together when you notice another girl hanging on the outskirts, to make sure she feels included.  I smile big when I am witness to this.  You talk to everyone at school and engage them, not just those you're closest with.  You set such a positive example of inclusion, which as we've learned in 4th grade, is no easy feat.   

Your sense of injustice in the world is real and you notice suffering and want to change it.  You smile and say hi to homeless people.  You positively correct your friends when they use the wrong terms for people with disabilities.  You give away your perfectly good toys before you've outgrown them because you think 'someone else needs it more than i do.'  

You continue to be the most awesome, protective, goofy big sister to Esmee and Ewan.  They adore you as much as we do! 

Our proudest moment was at the end of 4th grade when you received the Seymour Kaplan Humanitarian award.  An award given to a select few based on their efforts to be compassionate, kind and caring members of our community, and who demonstrate the highest standards of citizenship.  This is a big deal, Millie. As your principal, Julie Cox, said before handing out the award...'this is the most honorable award one can receive in their lifetime.'   A true honor that you should be so proud of...we sure are.  

Being your mama is truly the greatest gift, my Sweet Millie.  Seeing you grow into this incredible human being is beyond my wildest dreams.  You inspire us all and we love you so much.  

Happy birthday to you, my love.  

xx

Mom

Love!

Backwards shirt day at Preschool!

Future Girls!

Glad I saved all my wigs from my 20's!