Happy Birthday, Ewan!

Ewie Bear!  You’ve been talking up the Big 5 for the last 6 months!  You’ve been sooooooo excited for this day to come.  You’ve wanted to know how many months?  How many days?  How many sleeps?!  Turning 5 is a big deal!!  And since I know you’ll look back on this letter when you’re older, I should note that I’ve also ‘canceled’ your birthday about 10 times today for some cheeky, devilish behavior.  Ha!  Fortunately for you, you finished out the night sweet as an angel and the party is on!  

You’ve been my little side-kick this last year, since you and I got a lot of one on one while the girls were in school or off at their many activities.  I have cherished year 4 with you like no other.     We make a great pair.  You are so fun to be with and I’m going to miss the amount of ‘Ewan time’ I’m so used to having!  But it’s time for you to turn 5 and start Kindergarten…so before that happens, I want to reflect on the things that made you YOU this past year….

You attended your second year at Little Explorers preschool and you grew so much in your independence and knowledge of the world.  You learned Spanish, some French, how to say ‘hello’ in Chinese, you learned about the planets and how Pandas eat bamboo and are in danger of becoming extinct.  You learned about the ocean and weather and why our flag has 50 stars.  You learned songs and played games and regularly tried new foods.  You were constantly coming home with new things you learned about and couldn’t wait to teach us.  But what you really learned this last year at school that makes my heart swell with pride is how to be a good friend, how to help the younger kids when they needed assistance, how to take turns in a group, how to compliment your classmates, how to give a hug to a buddy that was upset, how to share your lunch when a friend forgot theirs, how to stick up for yourself when someone wasn’t kind to you, how to apologize when you weren’t so kind to someone else and how to give others a turn when they wanted something you were using.  You see, your teachers would tell me regularly about all the times you did something special or something kind or something brave and each time I felt so proud to know you were being such a benevolent, good-hearted person.   Those are the moments parents live for.  Thank you, Ewan.  

You made a bunch of great friends this year and we started doing playdates.   Your besties are Cora, Luca, Zach, Santiago and Lucien.  You also loved your teachers!  Miss Lily, Miss Emmy and Mr. Jared were your favorites.  You couldn’t wait to tell them things that happened on the weekend and you would always gauge things with ‘hmmm…I wonder what Miss Lily would do or think or say….” 

You have a special, albeit different relationship with your sisters.  You love equal time with both of them and you cannot wait until they get home from school.  You love playing school and ‘doggie’ with Esmee (you’re her pet dog) and you love jumping on the trampoline and reading with Millie.  I love how close you are with them.  You love to put the air mattress between their beds and have a sleep over in their room whenever we let you.  

You love Paw Patrol and Monster Trucks, soccer and riding your bike.  You love taking baths and you’ve just started loving swimming.  You finally took off on your snowboard this year and you couldn’t get enough.  You’re still an incredibly picky eater, but you do love fruits and veggies.  Your favorite foods that you eat on repeat are:  peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cinnamon toast, Pho, butter noodles, watermelon and seaweed.  You’ve promised me when you turn 5 you’ll try new things…..we’ll see about that!  You still holler out at random times and in random places how much you love us and it always stops us in our tracks….there is nothing better than hearing that!  You have long skinny frog legs and are an incredible athlete!  

You are the baby of our family but you’re growing up so quickly.  We are all obsessed with you and cannot imagine life without you as a Keegan!  We love you so much, little buddy and thank you so much for loving all of us right back.   Happy birthday to you, Sweet Ewan!  I just know 5 is going to be a magical year for you and I can’t wait to watch it all unfold.  

xoxo!

Mommy

Happy 11th Birthday, Millie!

Dear Millie, 

i just tucked you in for the last time as a 10 year old, and it really hit me how this year more than any other has revealed just how mature and independent you’re becoming.  It’s bitter sweet as a mama to see you blossoming into a young lady, but I couldn’t be more proud of the person you are becoming.  Age 10 put a huge smile on my face watching all of the things you accomplished and learned and from the eternal sparkle in your eye I think you loved it too!   Here are a few things that brought us joy…..

5th grade!  We were on Barnes Island with the Niskanen’s when you got your teacher assignment last summer.  You and Soleil literally did back flips and shrieked when you found out that you guys were going to spend your last year in elementary school together in the same class!  We were all elated!  You also got your other bestie, Anya which was a HUGE bonus too!  Turns out, you made so many sincere, genuine, lasting friendships with so many kids this year, boys and girls included.  There wasn’t a single day that you didn’t want to go to school.  You were actually bummed when vacations ‘dragged on too long.’   

You applied for 5th Grade Leadership and got in.  You were dedicated and committed to being a role model at your school.  You volunteered to help out whenever possible with school functions and charitable events.   You auditioned to be the MC for the school talent show and were voted on by your peers to host!  We were so proud of  you!  And you totally nailed the show….you are a natural born leader and such a talented public speaker.  

You made the Orange team for Celtic Soccer.  That’s 3 levels above your last team!  You worked hard and played hard and they took notice!  You wowed them at tryouts for both fall and spring and you were a huge asset to the GO8 Orange squad.  Dad and I were especially proud of you because you were the only one of your friends who bumped up.  You didn’t know this new team quite as well, but you headed to practice with your chin up and made new friends and proved to yourself that your talent, grit and work ethic deserved that spot on the team.  One of my favorite things as a mom is watching you play soccer, Millie!! 

You love being with your friends and you are loving a new found independence.  Although you still love to sleep in your sisters room (and you might always!) we’ve noticed you love spending more time in the basement doing ‘Millie things’ or hanging out with your besties.  Your friendships are strong and people love being around you.  But even though you are becoming your own individual, I love that you still want to be with us.  You love playing family games (Mastermind and Fairy Queen) and you love snuggling and giving us all hugs!  
You love the show 'Fuller House,' reading, soccer and snowboarding.  Your favorite food is bean burritos and sushi and you are pretty good about not eating much junk food.  You love Soleil and Anya and Macy and Emily.  You love Pink Drinks from Starbucks and you've been wanting to wear mascara. 

You continue to love your brother and sister fiercely and family is so important to you!  As you mature and set out to do more and more things on your own, know that I am always here for you and will always have your back.   I’ll be there when you succeed, but more importantly when you fail.  I will help you up when you make mistakes and set you back on the right path.  I will never stop loving you, my Millie Girl…in fact, my heart will burst into a thousand pieces daily with all the love I have for you.   You are a shining light…I remember the moment I first laid eyes on you as if it were yesterday.   I thank my lucky stars everyday that I get to be your Mom.  Have the best birthday, and I can’t wait to see what your 11th year has in store for you!!! 

xoxo!! 

Love, Mom

Happy Birthday, Esmee!

My sweet Esmee Star. 

My little middle who is now not so little anymore.  You have been counting down the days until you turn 9, and now it’s here.  What an amazing year we had with you at 8.  Here are a few of the things that stand out from this incredible last year…

You decided you wanted to give rock climbing a try.  We signed you up for classes and you quickly took to it and scaled the tallest wall within your first few classes.  You have no fear!  I can barely watch you climb without shaking in my boots and you seem to become a real life spider girl and naturally and gracefully make your way to the top.  You put a lot of thought and care into your foot and hand placements and you make it look so easy. You climbed Smith Rock in Bend, Oregon while we were on Spring Break and made me the proudest (and most nervous) Mama when you reached the top!  It’s so fun to watch you do something that I would never have the courage to do.  You try things that are not on most peoples radars.  Such a cool claim, Girl! 

Third grade has been a wonderful year for you.  You love both your teachers, Ms. Dethloff and Ms. Obst.  You have made new friendships and kept your loyal crew of friends you’ve had since Kindergarten.  You are a leader in every sense of the wor....you lead by example and all of your peers look up to you.  Your teachers rely on you when they need help bringing the class to order or getting a project done.  You take the reigns and take control. You help the kids that don't get as much attention and need it the most. People feel confident in your presence.   It’s an honor to walk the halls with you because I see how you put smiles on peoples faces and everyone says hi to you.  

You have a laugh that gets better with age. We always say you ‘get stuck laughing.’ You actually laugh so hard, your face gets stuck in the laugh and it makes us all laugh uncontrollably as well.  We’ve tried to capture it in a photo or video but it doesn’t do it justice…it’s something that has to be experienced in person, in the moment! 

You are the best sister!  You and Millie are so close….but what I really have loved watching this past year is your friendship with Ewan growing so strong.  The two of you are inseparable.  It hasn’t always been like this.  He was kind of a buggar to you the last few years.  But as of this last year, he WORSHIPS you!  He wants to be right next to you at all times.  He loves doing things with you and requests your presence every chance he gets.  He loves building legos with you and jumping on the trampoline, especially!  And the rest of us are no substitute.  It’s YOU or no one!  Your patience with him is so sweet and I cherish watching it. 

You’ve shown more independence and like spending time in your room doing crafts and reading books.  Your best friends are Madison, Frances, Brooklyn, Avery and Olive.  You love getting steps on your Fit Bit and have even made it a competition with me…and I love that!  You always try new foods and you earned a spot in the school play…Alice in Wonderland.  You are a Party Guest and Sea Creature and we can’t wait to see you perform!  

You are kind and caring and you speak out when something isn’t right.  You own your mistakes and tell me when you’ve been dishonest.  You admit your faults and take ownership.  You add so much value to our lives, Esmee and my heart swells being your Mama.  I am the luckiest person in the world that I get to celebrate what an amazing human you are each year…..and really, every day!  Thank you for being you.  Happy birthday, My Beautiful Daughter. I can't imagine life without you.

I love you so very much!  xx

Mom

(it's apple juice, i promise! )

that laugh! 

fearless!

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