Kate's 4 Year Letter

Dear Katybug,

I'm writing this letter on the eve of your 4th birthday.  We celebrated about 10 days ago with an adorable ballerina birthday party at "Tippi Toes," but you've been anxiously awaiting the day that you will "turn 4 for real."  I just tucked you in bed and gave you your last kisses as a 3-year-old. Oh, how my heart aches at the fact that my baby Kate is growing up! This year has been a good one, despite coming down from our Disney World high last December.  Your biggest "newsworthy" moments include starting preschool and developing a new love for ballet.

Earlier this year, you spent time participating in gymnastics at Bounce Academy.  You seemed to have some fun, but you were reluctant to participate in all of the activities.  You're cautious like your mama! We decided to take a break from gymnastics in early Spring, and you haven't asked about it since. The summer brought parent/toddler swim lessons at the Mustang Rec Center, and you did pretty well. Still, you had a hard time relaxing and participating in all of the activities.  During the Spring and Fall, you helped cheer on Ian at his t-ball games.  You always packed your purse full of goodies (i.e. lip gloss, pens, paper, little trinkets) and entertained the other fans in the stands.  Mommy didn't get to watch much of the games because we spent so much time getting drinks, going potty, etc.  This Fall, I semi-worked to convince you to give dance another try.  You've loved it ever since! You are in the toddler class at "Steppin' Out Dance Academy" in Tuttle.  Your teacher is Ms. Carrie, and your classmates are Ruth White and Addie Robertson.  You get soooo excited to go every week!!  You also love to practice your moves at home, and you really love to get dressed up in your dance outfit.  We are so excited about your Christmas recital next week!

All year, you've been attending Little Broncos Kids Klub in Mustang. In June, daddy started working there, so he is with you every day!  You still love Ms. Mel and all of the other great staff members..and they love you! In August, you started 3-year-old Preschool at Christ Lutheran Church in Mustang on Tuesday-Thursday from 8:30-11:30am.  You seem to love Mrs. Barbara, Ms.Tammie, Ms. Mabel, and all of your friends.  You are always "teaching" mommy what you learned! We are so proud of your letters and reading already!  Next week, we will get to enjoy your Christmas program. :) You've been practicing all of your lines!

You're currently wearing size 5T clothes and size 9-10 shoes. You LOVE high heels, frilly dresses, hair accessories, nail polish, and anything girly!  You still love pink! Your favorite foods are cheeseburgers, Spaghettios, pizza, hot dogs, goldfish, and anything sweet! You like "helping" with everything, so you're always asking to help in the kitchen,  Fortunately, you received an Easy Bake Oven and love it!  We upgraded to a big girl daybed this summer.  It a bit hard at first, to be in a "big bed," but you do fine with the guard rail.  You are still an early riser...about 6:00-7am on most days.

Ruth, from dance, has become a good friend.  You like to play with her, as well as Mila and Elliana (friends you made at Little Broncos).  Your favorite person to play with is, in fact, your big brother.  You always want to know where Ian is and what he's doing. 

We adore you, Kate.  Your beautiful smile, eyes, and spirit just light up any room.  We pray that God will continue to bless you and those that are blessed to be around you!

With Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Ian's 6 Year Letter

Dear Ian,

Well, another year just flew by! Today, you are 6 years old, and I am reminiscing over your baby pictures.  It seems like just yesterday when daddy and I were in the hospital.  We celebrated your special day by taking sprinkled donuts for your class, then having dinner at Mazzio's Pizza.

This past year has been full of fun!  Since this time last year, you have been to Disney World, completed pre-K, had surgery, and joined a t-ball team.  In November of last year, we went to Disney World with Uncle Alan, Aunt Carrie, Wyatt, and Grandma Donna. We had a great time staying at Wilderness Lodge and visiting all of the parks.  You loved riding all of the rides, including the roller coasters!  You are definitely brave!

In December, you had your tonsils & adenoids removed at OU Children's Hospital...mainly because of snoring. Everything seemed to be going great for the first 2 days after your surgery, but then you woke up bleeding on New Year's Day.  Mommy and daddy had to take you to the emergency room, and they had to go back in and cauterize the bleeding areas.  It was not a fun way to start out 2016, but you did really well.  Since then, we can hardly hear you when you sleep!

In the Spring, you joined a t-ball team called the Pirates.  Daddy helped out with the coaching, but your head coach is Justin Dowdy.  We loved watching you play in the first few games, as you would stand out in the field and act like a velociraptor laying eggs in a nest...so hilarious! (Although, mommy was frustrated at the time...looking back, it was cute ;-). You have continued to play on thse Pirates through Fall ball.

May brought about the end of a great Pre-K year at Piedmont Primary School.  You made so much progress during the year, and you are very close to reading.  You really loved Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Michael, and your good friend, Bishop Doss.  This Fall, you started Kindergarten at Prairie View Elementary here in Mustang.  We decided to have you transition into Mustang Schools since we partially liked our house due to the proximity to the school.  Also, daddy started working at Little Broncos Kids Klub this Summer, and decided not to return to Piedmont for several reasons. Your Kindergarten teacher is named Mrs. Stringer.  She seems really nice & you seem to like her.  There are 23 kids in your class, including Ivana (our friend across the street).  Mrs. Stringer says that you're doing well, but you have been sneaky with taking Lego characters to school.  Just the other day, you stuffed some in your shoe since mommy and daddy said you can't take them in your pockets or backpack.  Yesterday, daddy caught you trying to sneak them in your underwear!!  You're just bound and determined to take them to school!  After school, you ride the van to Little Broncos, and daddy brings you home.

You have your doctor's appointment next week, but I just know you are so tall for your age! You are wearing size Youth Small (6-7) and wearing size 13-1 shoes.  Your favorite foods are McDonald's Happy Meals and cheese pizza.  You also like Spaghettios, yogurt, and nacho cheese Doritos.  You're completely potty-trained...even overnight!  This is a good thing because you come and get in mommy and daddy's bed at least 4 times per week!!  Mommy wouldn't mind except for you are a crazy active sleeper.  Your favorite toys right now are Star Wars Legos...in fact, your recent birthday party at Wild Horse Park playground was Star Wars-themed.  You like to play Lego Star Wars on Wii, run around outside, and play with Angry Birds, minions, and dinosaurs.  We are trying to work on bike riding, as you're still nervous to ride by yourself.  We're hoping to remove the training wheels soon!

Your best friend is still your sis, Kate.  You guys play together all of the time!  Some of your other friends include Caden Leipen, Blaine Mounce, & Bishop Doss.  We have joined a wonderful church called SouthPointe, and this has led us to a small group with several other friends. It's been nice to have a loving church family because, just this week, Papa suffered from a stroke. He is doing okay, but it was a bit uncomfortable for you to see him in the hospital.

Ian, we love you so much.  Thank you for being our son! 

Love,
Mommy and Daddy