Dear Caden,
You are in trouble because you weren't using your "listening ears" and just kept getting into things.
"Caden, please come here."
You hop to me on one foot, your eyes looking everywhere but at me.
"Eyes please."
You look at me and then look away.
"Caden, please look at Mommy when she talks to you."
Your big brown eyes stare back at me without blinking. I begin to talk to you about how you need to ask before you touch the items on my bathroom counter - that yes, I understand toothpaste is fun to squirt out of the tube, but you do not need to use the entire tube in one setting. You begin to squirm, staring at the imaginary fuzz floating in the air.
"Eyes please."
I continue talking and you, standing as still as a statue, begin wiggling your eyebrows up and down in sync with every word that came out of my mouth. I cannot express to you how difficult it is to have a serious conversation with a 3 year old when they have exaggerated dancing eyebrows. Needless to say, your eyebrows danced you out of a time out. Smooth.
Love,
Mommy
Monday, June 30, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
How to eat fried worms
Dear Caden,
We are playing outside and you are flitting here and there, not staying put in one spot longer than 5 seconds. Every once in awhile you would stop and feed me one of your goldfish and then hop off again. I close my eyes, enjoying the sounds of you tinkering around when you pop by my side and say, "Here Momma, eat this." I keep my eyes closed and open my mouth, expecting a salty, cheesy snack. Instead, my mouth is filled with a sour, slimy taste with a side of dirt. I instantly sit up, eyes opened wide and begin spitting out what you stuck in my mouth. A worm. You stuck a worm in my mouth. And it was still alive. I look at you and you have dirt around your mouth. I am just hoping you didn't eat one too. Not too sure I should continue reading "How to eat fried worms" to you. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Love,
Mommy
We are playing outside and you are flitting here and there, not staying put in one spot longer than 5 seconds. Every once in awhile you would stop and feed me one of your goldfish and then hop off again. I close my eyes, enjoying the sounds of you tinkering around when you pop by my side and say, "Here Momma, eat this." I keep my eyes closed and open my mouth, expecting a salty, cheesy snack. Instead, my mouth is filled with a sour, slimy taste with a side of dirt. I instantly sit up, eyes opened wide and begin spitting out what you stuck in my mouth. A worm. You stuck a worm in my mouth. And it was still alive. I look at you and you have dirt around your mouth. I am just hoping you didn't eat one too. Not too sure I should continue reading "How to eat fried worms" to you. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Love,
Mommy
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Poop Vents
Dear Caden,
Your fascination with poop has increased exponentially once you realized the function of the restroom vent. Now, you have known about the vent - or "fan"- as you have always called it, for quite some time. For some reason the light bulb went off in your little head and you now have a much deeper understanding of the vent and it's true purpose after asking a bazillion (not an exaggeration) questions. This weekend you have tried to go poop at least 3,486,354 times, and it is only Saturday, just so you could turn the vent on and whisk away the stinky smell.
Today as we were playing outside with some friends, one of them happened to poot. This of course made you come to me giggling hysterically.
"Momma! She pooted!" *snicker*
"Shhhh Caden, it isn't polite to say that out loud and point out when other people poot."
Still giggling, "Momma! It's stinky! Can we turn on the vent?"
"There are no vents outside Caden, just in the restroom. Shhhh...stop talking about it please. Go play."
You run off, still smiling that the neighbor had pooted.
This evening while saying our nighttime prayers you asked Jesus for a poop vent outside. I tried to stifle my laughter as I reminded you that vents were just for inside bathrooms.
"Yeah, but Jesus answers prayers Momma."
. . . That I can't argue with. Of course, my son would pray for a poop vent instead of world peace, or waffles. It does make me wonder what the true purpose of tornadoes are though. . .
Love,
Mommy
Your fascination with poop has increased exponentially once you realized the function of the restroom vent. Now, you have known about the vent - or "fan"- as you have always called it, for quite some time. For some reason the light bulb went off in your little head and you now have a much deeper understanding of the vent and it's true purpose after asking a bazillion (not an exaggeration) questions. This weekend you have tried to go poop at least 3,486,354 times, and it is only Saturday, just so you could turn the vent on and whisk away the stinky smell.
Today as we were playing outside with some friends, one of them happened to poot. This of course made you come to me giggling hysterically.
"Momma! She pooted!" *snicker*
"Shhhh Caden, it isn't polite to say that out loud and point out when other people poot."
Still giggling, "Momma! It's stinky! Can we turn on the vent?"
"There are no vents outside Caden, just in the restroom. Shhhh...stop talking about it please. Go play."
You run off, still smiling that the neighbor had pooted.
This evening while saying our nighttime prayers you asked Jesus for a poop vent outside. I tried to stifle my laughter as I reminded you that vents were just for inside bathrooms.
"Yeah, but Jesus answers prayers Momma."
. . . That I can't argue with. Of course, my son would pray for a poop vent instead of world peace, or waffles. It does make me wonder what the true purpose of tornadoes are though. . .
Love,
Mommy
Monday, June 9, 2014
Happy 7th Anniversary
Dear Caden,
Seven years ago I walked down the aisle and met your father at the altar. Marriage isn't easy, but it is absolutely amazing. There have been many challenges, many tears, but many triumphs and lots of laughter. Your father and I are best friends and marrying him was absolutely the best decision I ever made. He gave me my greatest gifts: both you and and your brother, Jacob. My world is infinitely better with you guys in it. Thank you for allowing me the honor of being your mother. Marriage is something that you must work at and work for. Our marriage is built on three cords: Your Daddy, Me and God. For without God, we have nothing. Everything is built around Him. Our marriage is one built on laughter. If you cannot laugh at yourself, then you need to learn to. It just allows for a breath a fresh air and people tend to want to be around you more because you exude happiness. Be nerdy together, have inside jokes and enjoy doing crazy off the wall things - it keeps the spice going. Always put more into the relationship than you take out, live and love like there is no tomorrow, for we are not guaranteed another morning. Tell your spouse how handsome/beautiful they are when they are feeling so sick and have dragon breath. . . they may just say, "yeah, whatever.", but the love and specialness that you just made them feel will linger. Do things together, go out and spend time with each other. At the same time, be yourself. Don't forget who you were before you got married. This is important, because you must be strong in yourself before you become strong with each other. Even though you are married it is extremely important that you never stop courting or dating your spouse. Let them know that even after all these years that your hearts still skips a beat when you see them, or that you get butterflies in your stomach when you hear their voice over the phone. Don't get so caught up in the day to day drama and chaos of life that can suck all the fun out. Today's society takes relationships, uses them and just spits them out. If it gets too hard, it is easy to say "I quit." and move on. Take the words, "I Quit" out of your vocabulary, they should never be considered or used. You invested so much into this, build your relationship on a solid foundation and fight for it. Some days are better than others, but every day is worth it. Learn to say "I love you" every day and mean it. Look them in the eye when you say it, or sneak up behind them and whisper it in their ear, but say it. Let them know that you not only love them but are IN love with them, for there will come a day when you long to hear those words from your loved one but all you will get back is the echo of Life's ticking clock. Learn to do something that your spouse likes to do, just to spend time with him: be it fishing, building up old cars or computer gaming all day. On the same token, allow them to spend time with you and have the patience to teach them. Marriage is a box of crazy: crazy laughter, crazy tears, crazy nights, crazy meals, crazy bubble baths with crazy kids, crazy late nights of reading books to little people and making fort tents, But you know what? It is the best crazy 7 years I have ever had - here's to many, many more. *Raises glass*
Love,
Mommy
Seven years ago I walked down the aisle and met your father at the altar. Marriage isn't easy, but it is absolutely amazing. There have been many challenges, many tears, but many triumphs and lots of laughter. Your father and I are best friends and marrying him was absolutely the best decision I ever made. He gave me my greatest gifts: both you and and your brother, Jacob. My world is infinitely better with you guys in it. Thank you for allowing me the honor of being your mother. Marriage is something that you must work at and work for. Our marriage is built on three cords: Your Daddy, Me and God. For without God, we have nothing. Everything is built around Him. Our marriage is one built on laughter. If you cannot laugh at yourself, then you need to learn to. It just allows for a breath a fresh air and people tend to want to be around you more because you exude happiness. Be nerdy together, have inside jokes and enjoy doing crazy off the wall things - it keeps the spice going. Always put more into the relationship than you take out, live and love like there is no tomorrow, for we are not guaranteed another morning. Tell your spouse how handsome/beautiful they are when they are feeling so sick and have dragon breath. . . they may just say, "yeah, whatever.", but the love and specialness that you just made them feel will linger. Do things together, go out and spend time with each other. At the same time, be yourself. Don't forget who you were before you got married. This is important, because you must be strong in yourself before you become strong with each other. Even though you are married it is extremely important that you never stop courting or dating your spouse. Let them know that even after all these years that your hearts still skips a beat when you see them, or that you get butterflies in your stomach when you hear their voice over the phone. Don't get so caught up in the day to day drama and chaos of life that can suck all the fun out. Today's society takes relationships, uses them and just spits them out. If it gets too hard, it is easy to say "I quit." and move on. Take the words, "I Quit" out of your vocabulary, they should never be considered or used. You invested so much into this, build your relationship on a solid foundation and fight for it. Some days are better than others, but every day is worth it. Learn to say "I love you" every day and mean it. Look them in the eye when you say it, or sneak up behind them and whisper it in their ear, but say it. Let them know that you not only love them but are IN love with them, for there will come a day when you long to hear those words from your loved one but all you will get back is the echo of Life's ticking clock. Learn to do something that your spouse likes to do, just to spend time with him: be it fishing, building up old cars or computer gaming all day. On the same token, allow them to spend time with you and have the patience to teach them. Marriage is a box of crazy: crazy laughter, crazy tears, crazy nights, crazy meals, crazy bubble baths with crazy kids, crazy late nights of reading books to little people and making fort tents, But you know what? It is the best crazy 7 years I have ever had - here's to many, many more. *Raises glass*
Love,
Mommy
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Caden's Cookies
Dear Caden,
When my most favorite 3 yr old bats his long lashes over his big brown doe eyes and tells me that he *NEEDS* cookies - and not just any cookies - they must be : Spiderman, car and dinosaur cookies, then I decide the next two days must be spent making this happen. You are a bit spoiled.
Love,
Mommy
When my most favorite 3 yr old bats his long lashes over his big brown doe eyes and tells me that he *NEEDS* cookies - and not just any cookies - they must be : Spiderman, car and dinosaur cookies, then I decide the next two days must be spent making this happen. You are a bit spoiled.
Love,
Mommy
 |
| The cookies were a success! |
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| Caden's cookie request |
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Babies
Dear Caden,
Babies, babies every where! Our dear friends, Nathaniel and Holly, are expanding their family! The day of their baby shower I was explaining to you that I would be leaving for a little bit for the shower, but that I would be back. You were Mr. Grumpy Gills and desperately needed a nap.
"I'll be back. I'm going to see Aunt Holly - she is going to be having a baby soon, like baby Jacob, but a girl."
"Ummm. Yeah. . . why?"
"Because they love each other and God is blessing them with a baby, that is why."
"Oh."
You scamper to your room and I can see you thinking on this bit of information.
"Yeah, well I have a baby toooooo!"
"Really? Tell me about your baby, Caden."
"I marry Queen Elsa and our baby is Hiccup! He likes dragons."
I believe someone has seen Frozen and How to Train Your Dragons one too many times.
Love,
Mommy
Babies, babies every where! Our dear friends, Nathaniel and Holly, are expanding their family! The day of their baby shower I was explaining to you that I would be leaving for a little bit for the shower, but that I would be back. You were Mr. Grumpy Gills and desperately needed a nap.
"I'll be back. I'm going to see Aunt Holly - she is going to be having a baby soon, like baby Jacob, but a girl."
"Ummm. Yeah. . . why?"
"Because they love each other and God is blessing them with a baby, that is why."
"Oh."
You scamper to your room and I can see you thinking on this bit of information.
"Yeah, well I have a baby toooooo!"
"Really? Tell me about your baby, Caden."
"I marry Queen Elsa and our baby is Hiccup! He likes dragons."
I believe someone has seen Frozen and How to Train Your Dragons one too many times.
Love,
Mommy
Tiger and Lilly
Dear Caden,
Tonight's letter leaves me with a bit of mixed emotions. Today we took our cats, Tiger and Lilly, to their new home with our wonderful friends who so graciously said they would love them for forever. Daddy and I have had Tiger and Lilly longer than you have been alive. Tiger loved playing with you in your playroom and would be Catzilla as you built buildings and drove cars around him. Lilly was always Mommy's cat, my cuddly bug and my comfort on rough days. It became harder and harder for me to keep giving them the love they deserved with my health not always in best shape. Caden, I feel in a sense that I have failed you, or at least robbed you of a great chance at love and endless delight. They were your friends, you would run up to them and just hug them and yell to the ceiling of how much you loved them. Today is a day that I am angry with myself and disappointed that my body isn't what it should be. I am young, yes, but my body is that of a much older person. I am trying my love, I am trying so hard to give this life my best for you, and for Jacob. I promise to take you to visit them and I promise I will show you pictures as their new owners send them to me.
When we dropped them off you didn't even seem to notice. You were too interested in playing with the toys that were around. I was so thankful that you didn't seem to be upset as I was a complete mess inside and if you would've made one peep I would have been bawling. It hit tonight when we put you into bed.
"Mommy? Where Tiger go? At his new house?"
"Yes baby, they are with their new family now and getting love from them and playing over there."
"But Mommy, I love him this much..." (you squish your pointer finger and thumb together really tight) and whisper "It's bigger on the inside."
If you know anything of Dr. Who, then you will understand this reference. This is when I had to step out of the room to 'check on Jacob'. This is when I completely lost it.
Tiger and Lilly, you were amazing. There were times you drove us nuts, like when you tripped me going down the stairs while pregnant. However, all the times that you loved us unconditionally, allowed Caden to pull your tail and talk about your 'bellybutton' and would sit in my lap and love me...those times will never be forgotten. May you find love in your new home, I know they were excited to have you and you are in excellent hands. Just know how much we love you too and how hard this was for me. I miss you guys already. Crazy how little furballs steal your heart when you aren't looking . . .
Love,
Mommy
Tonight's letter leaves me with a bit of mixed emotions. Today we took our cats, Tiger and Lilly, to their new home with our wonderful friends who so graciously said they would love them for forever. Daddy and I have had Tiger and Lilly longer than you have been alive. Tiger loved playing with you in your playroom and would be Catzilla as you built buildings and drove cars around him. Lilly was always Mommy's cat, my cuddly bug and my comfort on rough days. It became harder and harder for me to keep giving them the love they deserved with my health not always in best shape. Caden, I feel in a sense that I have failed you, or at least robbed you of a great chance at love and endless delight. They were your friends, you would run up to them and just hug them and yell to the ceiling of how much you loved them. Today is a day that I am angry with myself and disappointed that my body isn't what it should be. I am young, yes, but my body is that of a much older person. I am trying my love, I am trying so hard to give this life my best for you, and for Jacob. I promise to take you to visit them and I promise I will show you pictures as their new owners send them to me.
When we dropped them off you didn't even seem to notice. You were too interested in playing with the toys that were around. I was so thankful that you didn't seem to be upset as I was a complete mess inside and if you would've made one peep I would have been bawling. It hit tonight when we put you into bed.
"Mommy? Where Tiger go? At his new house?"
"Yes baby, they are with their new family now and getting love from them and playing over there."
"But Mommy, I love him this much..." (you squish your pointer finger and thumb together really tight) and whisper "It's bigger on the inside."
If you know anything of Dr. Who, then you will understand this reference. This is when I had to step out of the room to 'check on Jacob'. This is when I completely lost it.
Tiger and Lilly, you were amazing. There were times you drove us nuts, like when you tripped me going down the stairs while pregnant. However, all the times that you loved us unconditionally, allowed Caden to pull your tail and talk about your 'bellybutton' and would sit in my lap and love me...those times will never be forgotten. May you find love in your new home, I know they were excited to have you and you are in excellent hands. Just know how much we love you too and how hard this was for me. I miss you guys already. Crazy how little furballs steal your heart when you aren't looking . . .
Love,
Mommy
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