Dear Spencer... You are 3!

 Oh, Mr. Spence...

Kid, you are truly a crack up. You are our feisty child - filled with fire and love and sweetness. Knowing you is loving you and you are the greatest little caboose to our family.

Your brothers and sissy adore you and you are definitely the boss of the family. You are smart as a whip, a tiny bit manipulative, and you know how to work us all. But you are also insanely sweet, loving, cuddly, and you care deeply about all of us. Watching you grow up day by day has been fun for all of us.

You are absolutely obsessed with Lightening McQueen and the movie Cars. It's been going on for several months and it is adorable. You refuse to wear any shirt with out the Cars on it, Gramz has made sure you have a full wardrobe of Cars clothing and pajamas. For your Birthday, almost every gift you received was Cars related, and you were thrilled.

We've done a bit of traveling this last year - to Hawaii with friends, and to San Diego and Legoland with family. Our trip to Hawaii with friends was so much fun for you because you were spoiled with attention from all of the kiddos. You were the baby of the group and everyone wanted to play with you, hold you, and spend time with you. You were a fan of the waterslide, the pool, playing in the sand, and playing with all of the kids on the grass area. We watched lots of sunsets, ate all of our dinners together, and explored Kaanapali together. 

Legoland was a blast and you loved being with Gramz & Pops and all your cousins. Of course, you were attached to your Pops and wanted to spend special time with him while you were there, too. You rode several rides at Legoland and seemed to enjoy all of them. We also went to the beach and swam in the pools at the resort we stayed at. You had a blast. 

You started preschool this August and you absolutely love it! There were no tears and you couldn't wait to go. You are thriving at your school, making friends, learning, and you love getting to see Miss Kim and Miss Stephanie. I can't believe it's already your turn. We are so proud of you and how well you've been adapting. You've been going to the gym with mom for several months and even though it was a struggle to leave you at first, you've been doing much better and you've made lots of friends with the ladies in the childcare area. 

You still aren't potty trained, but we will start working on that soon. You just had your 3 year well check and you are definitely growing. You are only in the 25th percentile for height, but you are a stalky boy - in the 85th percentile for weight. You weigh 35 pounds and give my arms a work out.

You eat very well and can sometimes eat more than all of your siblings combined. You love fruit, Mac and cheese, sandwiches, chicken, and of course anything sweet. You wear size 3T in everything. 

You have a huge sense of humor. We all laugh at everything you do and say daily. You can be demanding when you want something and you have 5 people willing to help you, so you usually get what you need. You love to play with your siblings. You love all your die cast cars, garbage trucks, and tractors.

It's so hard to sit down and explain all the adorable little things you do on a daily basis, but I hope they live in my memory forever. You make us laugh, you are smart, you are sweet. I love getting to watch you grow and change, I love getting to rock you to sleep every night, I love getting to be the one you reach for. 

You are a bit of a mama's boy and I don't take it for granted. You give such big hugs and good kisses. You bring us all love and joy. We love you to the moon and back - forever - Spencie. Mr. Spence. Spence. Spencie-bear. 

Love,

Mama

Dear Cody... You are 4!

 Cody Bear...

I can't believe you're 4 - and now you're almost 5. You are an absolute joy. You are one of the happiest little boys I have ever seen, and the world notices. 

In the last year, you wrapped up preschool and graduated with all your buddies. You were adored by your teachers. They tell us that at school you are an independent worker but always love to play with others. You aren't one to follow a crowd, but you're always excited to share. 

You have a contagious laugh. It's more of a giggle, and when you're laughing really hard... it is absolutely contagious to everyone around you. 

You learned how to swim much stronger this summer (2022) and since you figured it out, you have been a fish. You love to be outside, play with your siblings - you call Spencer "Fencer" and the name has stuck, and you love Sonic The Headhodge and Spiderman. 

You started TK with Mrs. Peterson in August and you have been thriving. It is so much fun to see all you're learning, but mostly I love seeing the joy and excitement you have for going to school and being at school. When daddy and I go to your pick up and drop off, other parent's talk about how their kid's talk about you. You are friends with everyone and you truly bring joy to any room. 

You are playing soccer again this year for the second year with the Super Shooters. You aren't super into it, and you tell us your favorite part is the snacks. It's pretty funny to watch you run around. You seem to have an interest in T Ball and golf, so we will be signing you up for those in the coming months. 

You haven't had an official doctor's appointment in years because of Covid, but you are going to be going soon for your 5 year well check. You wear size 4 and 5T in almost everything. You are a pretty good eater and you ask for an apple everyday for your snack at school. 

We have done lots of traveling over the last year and a half. We took a huge trip to Hawaii with lots of friends and you had a blast. All of the kids were older than you and it was so much fun to watch you interact with them. You loved swimming in the pools, going down the slides, playing in the sand at the beach, and running around on the grass with all of the kids. You were in your element. 

This last summer we took a trip with Gramz & Pops and family to Legoland and San Diego. You loved getting to spend so much time with your cousins. Legoland was fun with the water park and roller coasters... and we loved getting to explore the zoo! 

We have had made so many memories through the holidays over the last year. Anytime you are with family, you are content. You were so much fun on Christmas, so excited about Santa and Stinky & Sweetie. 

More than anything, Cody, you are just a very special boy. Your dad and I talk about you daily and what an amazing kid you are. You radiate happiness and bring so much joy to those in who get to spend time with you. You are a kind hearted, loving person and we are truly so proud to be your parents. We love you so much and our family would just not be our family with out you. 

I love getting to spend my days with you, Cody. I love getting to witness you grow and change. I love feeling your happiness, I love getting to snuggle you and kiss you goodnight every day. 

We love you to the moon and back forever and ever, Cody!

Love,

Mama