"I Free"

Dear Shane,

"I free" are the words you spoke when I asked you how old you were just the other day. Yes, you are free, and three as well. You are our free spirited, do what you want, when you want little boy. You have spunk and an attitude to match. You have grown so much this year. I'ts like you almost grew from a baby to a big boy. I say almost lightly as you will always be my baby.

You enjoy running, playing, snuggling, jumping, dancing and bouncing. You are a very active three year old. You are always on the go. In the rare moment where you are still on the couch or in your bed, you always want to be snuggled by Mommy or Daddy. "Daddy you snuggle me?" I know those words melt Daddy's heart each time and he will never say no to your snuggles.

You definitely showed me your sense of adventure and lack of fear in this last year. You got such a thrill from riding on big boy rides and doing everything practically yourself with not much help from Mommy. "I do it Mommy". You like to learn things on your own, although sometimes frustrated with the task at hand, you keep trying only quitting when you are so frustrated that your temper gets the best of you. Teaching you patience has become a task indeed. But it's rare that you ask for help. You just move onto something else.

There are a few cute sayings that both Mommy and Daddy chuckle to ourselves when you say. Things that we refuse to correct you on, for fear that you learn the real saying and stop talking so dang cute! You always call Gatorade- "Atorgade". When in the bathroom you always say "Cwose the door, I need pwivacy". We love that you call your brother "John John". Each time you and your brother watch a new show or movie you have to specify who is what character and also what character Mommy and Daddy will be. Currently you are Jake (Neverland Pirates), the blue power ranger, Patrick (from spongebob), and Sharkboy (from Sharkboy and Lava girl). When we see something on tv, or as we drive by you get so excited and say "You wanna go dere?" or "You wanna go dat pwace?". You love rough housing with your Dad and Brother and are always saying to Daddy, "Dada you wanna wessle me?". You have some not so nice things to say as well such as "No talk about it!" and "Weave me awone". But I think my favorite is when out of the blue you just say "I wuv you too Momma." even though I didn't say anything to you first. Melts my heart.

As you blew out your #3 candle at your birthday party you looked so big to me. I didn't need to help you or stand close so you wouldn't burn yourself. You sat there patiently waiting while everyone sang and then blew our your candle like a big boy. My baby big boy!

Happy THIRD Birthday Shane James! Mommy and Daddy love you more then all the stars in the sky.

xoxo

Jumping From Four to FIVE!

Dear John,

The last year has been amazing watching you grow. It seems like just yesterday you were only blowing the four candles out on your cake, and in a blink of an eye, you are now FIVE. You went from this little boy to a big boy! Five was rough for me, as I knew you were more independent then dependent on me. Learning when to help you and when to let you do things for yourself has always been hard for me, but lately it's more of me instructing you and you taking the reigns.

You are my silly boy. Always looking to make people laugh or tell a silly joke. Momma loves your humor, and get's your humor. You always make Momma giggle. You have become quite the prankster. It's funny watching you scheme how to get one over on your brother or father. You crack yourself up too! And I love listening to your laugh.

Your my sensitive guy. You must get that from me as well. Plain and simple. Things upset you and you have no problem expressing it. There is nothing wrong with that in my book!

You have grown so much over the last year. Not only in size but in every way. You understand so much more then you did a year ago. You enjoy wrestling with Daddy and Shane, playing ball and running. I am excited for you to take on the sport of baseball this year with your introduction to T-Ball.

You also learned to swim all by yourself this summer. Momma was so proud of you. I couldn't believe my eyes as my 4.5 year old was swimming laps in the pools as we vacationed in Fla this summer. You took off and never looked back. It's amazing, and as exciting as watching you take your first steps. My eyes well up with tears from all your firsts.

You love being the superhero. Any superhero! You totally use your imagination and play freely in the role. I love watching you act as other characters. You have such a creative mind.

You have amazed me with what you are learning at school. When I come in to visit for lunch and see you reading site word sentences I am so proud. Just a little guidance gives you great confidence and you take off from there. You are a great student, and I hope this continues through your school years (as another thing you love is sleep!).

As you blew the candles out at your 5th birthday, a tears filled my face. You will be embarking on such a big boy life this year and I am so excited to watch you through this journey. Kindergarten and a new school, new friends and new faces. I am excited with you and for you!

I am so proud of you John Patrick! I love you more then all the stars in the sky!!

xoxo

Momma!

Cabin Fever

Well I don't think there is too much to report around here. We are passing our time with movies, crafts, tents, playtimes and games. Well that and laundry and dishes and cleaning galore! I think its so much more to keep up with because we are all in the house all day making messes. We have been staying in a lot as the weather is still pretty chilly and we were dumped with about another foot of snow two days ago (just as all the winter slush was melting away).

I can't wait til warm weather and park days. These boys need to get out and play! And run, run, run! We had a few nice days last week and were able to take multiple walks. Or in John and Shane's case- runs. They run the whole stinking time!

It's so nice to get some fresh air and let them run around! It will be so nice to get the bikes out and enjoy evening strolls. Definitely something we are all looking forward to.

We had John's portfolio night at school a few weeks ago and his teachers say he is such a great kid. He is focused and very detail oriented, follows direction and is an all around great kid. Things we already knew but it was nice to hear :)

Shane wakes up each morning begging to go to bouncearama. He just lives for time out of the house where he can run and play. We haven't done a scheduled bouncearama class since the fall and look forward to our monthly bounce class with our mom's club.

I have been on the job hunt as things are getting tighter and tighter around here. I am hoping the photography picks up when the weather warms up as that is ideally would I would like to call work. I can't wait for some outside photoshoots! I have a few idea's for advertising now and this spring and am hoping it works out. Just need to make the money to go ahead with the advertising :) Little by little it comes together.

I really need to take the boys 5 and 3 year pictures!! That is something on the horizon for sure!