I Love You Stinky Face & Piano Man

Dearest Joshua and Luke,

Yes, Luke loves the "I Love You Stinky Face" book. After requesting the book several times, Luke has started to read the book himself. It is so darling how he turns the pages and "reads" exactly what he thinks is happening on each page. His words are almost exact, but it is soooo darling. He gets impatient while I am reading Joshua a story, and he "reads" himself. Gotta love it!

Joshua is the piano man! He has started piano lessons with Miss Jan each week. He can already play a few songs - Rain, Rain Go Away and the Halloween songs - and we are so proud of him. We are having a little difficulty fitting in two or three 10-15 minute practice sessions each day, but we are working on it. Currently, we are working on one practice session each day.

Luke started a Little Gym class this week and loves it! He is talking a lot about his teacher, Miss Jaime. I am so glad that he likes it. He even does the class by himself, so that is a big step for him.

As you can see, Daddy is coaching the Mighty Orange Lion soccer team. Luckily, both boys are on the same team. The boys are so proud of daddy being their coach. And Daddy did a great job, even though he pulled a calf muscle playing "Catch the Coach" the first few minutes into practice. I love the picture of Daddy and Joshua chillin' after the first game!

Joshua is adjusting well to kindergarten. He loves it! He has been so tired each evening. I am a little disappointed with the 8:00 pm bedtime because we just don't have enough time to play, but we will all get used to the schedule. Luke misses Joshua a lot each day, but it will get better once Luke starts Mother's Day Out after Labor Day.

I love you both more today than yesterday.

Love,

Mama

Look Out Kindergarten! Here Joshua comes!

Dearest Joshua,

This week marked Joshua's first day of school in the 2,275 days of school that you will have between now and high school graduation. You may have another 1, 050 if you are planning to go to college and graduate school for 2 years, maybe even more days if you continue on.

Here is some advice for you on the many days of school ahead of you. Kindergarten is a time when you will learn many of the things that will be guiding principles in your life. For example, basic rules of life such as share, play fairly, put things back where you got them, flush and wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating, say you are sorry when you hurt someone or do something wrong, and never hit or hurt other people. Spend a little time every day drawing, coloring, writing, napping or resting, eating healthy foods and snacks, playing, and working. Also, please remember the Golden Rule - to treat others like you want to be treated. The other guiding principle that I always tell children is to always pretend that your mom and dad or someone that you respect and trust is sitting next to you. If you would say or do something despite their presence, then you are probably doing the right thing. If you would not say or do it while this person was there, then it is probably not the right thing to do or say.

Other random advice for you is to always ask questions, do more listening than talking, and always be respectful. I do not ever expect for you to be perfect, but I do expect that you always do your best and say you are sorry when you have hurt someone.

You are a great young man! I am so proud of you and all that you have already become. I will always be here for you, and love you no matter what.

I love you more today than I did yesterday.

Love,

Mama

P.S. Happy birthday to Nana! We had so much fun spending lunch with her at Olive Garden. Both boys loved playing and drawing and sitting by Nana. She is so special to us! Please send extra prayers our way for Papa Ed and Nana. Please pray for peace, comfort, strength, and better health for them!

Updated pictures!

Be sure to click twice on the pictures on the right for an updated slide show of summer fun! You can also read the picture captions! Enjoy!

Summer Fun!!!!!!!

Dearest Joshua and Luke, The last few weeks have been so busy. As you can see in the pictures, we have been spending a lot of time at the pool - almost every night when I get off of work, and sometimes during the day with Miss Sarah. Both of you have been involved in orchestra camp, too. Luke was so happy to go this summer. Even though Joshua went last summer, he loved going this year with Luke. Luke was so happy each day to bring home his new instrument, and share it with us. He liked showing us how to play happy and sad music. He was thrilled that he knew the difference. This camp reaffirmed how much Joshua loves music. In fact, we think we have found him a piano teacher for the next several months. Of course, Joshua still wants to play the drums, but he has started to understand that he must learn piano first.

We have also spent some time playing with some friends in our neighborhood. We are starting to settle in, and our house is starting to feel like home. We are so lucky!

I am still having a difficult time believing that Joshua will be starting kindergarten next week to be exact. Iknow that he is going to be with a fabulous kindergarten teacher. I knew several years ago when I first met her that I wanted her to be Joshua's kindergarten teacher, and now it is coming true for him. I know that he will be in a place where he will be nurtured, and that he will grow.

Joshua surprised us this week at the dinner table. Here is the conversation:

Joshua: "Is hell a real place?"

Mom: (While trying to gain my composure, and not wanting to look startled by this question......"Yes, some people beleive it is a real place."

Joshua: "What do you believe?"

Mom: (looking desperately at dad) "I have never been there or anything, but I do think there is really a place called hell. It is a place where really, really, really, really bad people go. (I was trying to say enough 'reallys' so that I could stall for time and maybe Daddy would jump in the conversation. After enough 'reallys' I finally asked........"Why do you ask?"

Joshua: "My friend Collin was talking about it."

Mom: "Oh....and what did Collin tell you about it?"

Joshua: "He said I was going to go there if I did not behave."

Mom: "Well, what were you doing that reminded Collin to tell you that?"

Joshua: "I don't remember." (Convenient, don't you think?)

Mom: "Well, what were you two doing together?"

Joshua: "Playing in Miss Vicki's class."

Hmmmmm. I left it at that. Didn't need any more information today. It certainly gave us more to talk about! :)

I love you both more today than yesterday.

Love,

Mama