Grandpa, Part III

Dear Taylor, Anna, and Hudson,

Your Grandpa was not a religious person.  At. All.  It wasn't that he was apathetic about it, he really didn't believe in religion.  I think he thought it was pretty wild that all three of his children married devout catholics, all his grandchildren had been baptized, and five out of six school school-aged grandchildren were in Catholic school.  Grandpa wasn't always against religion, he actually went to a seminary school, and was incredibly close to joining a religious order.

Anyway, there is a point to my story.  When we were cleaning out Grandpa's house, we found a prayer card in the mounds of paper on his desk.  That in itself was pretty shocking.  The words were so powerful, and while it sounds silly, 'the prayer spoke to me."  It really seemed like something Grandpa would feel.  We put this quote on the back of the Grandpa's funeral program, and when I was googling it to find out who wrote it, it was often listed on prayer websites for dogs that had passed away.  It was perfect.  The only thing Grandpa liked less than religion was a dog.

So kids, I leave you with this prayer, and hope that I can get there.
xoxo
mom

Gross

Dear Hudson,

We have talked about this. I don't need you to test my laundry skills. Taking apart the carseat to clean up throw up is the worst job for a mom.

We were going to watch the end of Taylor's soccer practice and as I went to unclip you, barf. Everywhere. I didn't have so much as a baby wipe with me so another mom was super nice and brought T home so I could take you home for a bath. You thought it was hysterical.

You have had a fever for a few days, and you have always been barfy. My hope is that this phase ends quickly.

Thanks again buba.
xoxo
Mom

My Sweet Taylor

Dear Taylor,

I realized I needed to do a Taylor update!  You are having such a great year so far.  I have heard parents say their kids "came into their own" and never really understood it, but I have to say, you really have come into your own, you have found your rhythm with school, and are having such a good time.

Your teacher is easy-going, artistic, and loves to read to your class.  She thinks that homework takes away from your family time, so she gives you a really reasonable amount each night.  Almost all your homework is online, and you whiz through it before I get home.

You are a reading machine!!  You are reading the Warrior series right now, and are on book four, racing to book five.  You are dying to get through the Warrior books because I have promised you that Harry Potter is next for you.

You are such a great person to have in our family too.  You are such a calm presence in the house 90% of the time. You are absolutely Anna's favorite person and she LOVES to be with you.  The minute you get home from school, she is so eager to play with you, and you are so kind with her.  Hudson thinks you are the best too!  You call him boy, boy, and he lights up.  You help me with your brother all the tim by reading him board books, chatting with him, and having dance parties with him.

You love to cook: you make muffins in your muffin maker, your own breakfast, snacks, and anything else.  If we make pancakes, you are a master flipper.  As for food, you are a pretty amazing eater.  You will really eat almost anything.  You are a light eater, and don't love sweets.  Your least favorite desserts are ice cream and popsicles.  You much prefer pie- usually cherry.

You love fashion.  When you are out of uniform you spend a lot of time picking outfits and telling me what is missing from your wardrobe.  The current list includes suede flats, knee high black boots, and new skinny jeans.  Good news- we are missing the same things!

All in all Taylor, you are such a joy to have around.

xoxo
Mom

ps- I was trying to use the camera in manual mode (you were a willing participant) and the focus is off just a bit.

A Glimmer

Dear Anna, 

I found you sitting in the living room looking at a book the other day and thought "oh good, she is working on her site words."  You are doing such a great job with these words, and find them everywhere now!  

I got a little closer to see WHAT you were reading, and my heart leapt with joy.  While you are most like your dad in personality, I see glimmers of things we have in common, and this is one- a love of handbags!  

I love Louis Vuitton too Anna.  I could look at that book all. day. long.

xoxo

mom

An Actual Toy for You

Dear Hudson, 

It all started with good intentions.  We were leaving Taylor's soccer game on Sunday with a play date for Tay, a cooler with snacks, two soccer bags, a diaper bag two folding chairs, a stroller, and lord knows what else.  I saw a yard sale with tons of kids stuff, and flipped a quick u-turn.  I am not much for yard sales, but they had one of those slide/play house things and I thought you would love it!  We pulled up, rolled down the window to ask how much, and struck a deal. SCORE!

The small problem was getting this thing home.  The man kindly disassembled it for us, and we wedged pieces in front of your sisters, on laps, and anywhere else there was a sliver of room (note to Daddy if you read this- an XL would have fit that thing without a problem).  

We got it home, put it together, and........ your sisters took it over.  Sorry buddy, we tried. They love it, and won't get out of it.  Hopefully you will get a turn when they are at school.

xoxo

mom

A Date

Dear Taylor and Anna,

We had such a fun date yesterday!  Dad wanted to watch the 49ers game, Hudson needed a nap, and we had some shopping to do (and a few errands too)!   Best part- I had to bribe you to come with me- $5 each to spend at Ikea.

We started with a car wash, and after they had whipped the car into shape you got in and asked if we had a new car!  It's true.  The car was so gross before the wash that it actually looked like a new car.

From there, we headed to Ikea.  On our list: a cutting board, and whatever you two chose for $5.  Well, we left with a bit more, but had the best time wandering the isles.  We picked our favorite kitchens, looked at blankets, plates, and lighting. We spent most of our time figuring out how you could spend $5.  Taylor settled on a fake plant and little pot, and Anna settled on a closet organizer:)  Anna my organizer and Taylor my collector.

From there, we decided to have a lunch date.  I gave you two the choice of where we should go, and you picked In N Out:(  While I love In N Out, if we have the chance to eat somewhere without Hudson, I think we could have done better, but we had a great time.

When we got home, the brother was so excited, and Daddy couldn't wait to get started on the list of things we needed to do to help our new Ikea purchases feel welcome:)

xoxo
mom

Grandpa, Part II AYSO

Dear Taylor, Anna and Hudson,

As we have watched you play AYSO this year I am so strongly reminded of Grandpa and his many years as my (or my siblings) AYSO coach.

When he coached us, he ALWAYS brought snack to practices.  This was back when nothing was local, organic, or sustainably farmed.  He brought Coke and Oreos or those vanilla sandwich cookies.  If it was really hot, there was a popsicle.  He always wore a whistle, and in our green machines team picture, he matched his shirt to our jerseys.

The phrases I most remember are "go after that ball"  "the balls is yours" and "look alive." I have so many funny memories of his coaching, but find it strangely hard to put them into words.  Grandpa loved to coach us!

So, as we watch you, and cheer/yell for you to "go after the ball" or "look alive" you can know I am thinking about Grandpa and how proud he would be if he could see you playing!
xoxo
mom