Dear Xavier - 2.25

Dear Xavier,

You're just over a quarter past two now.  And, my how you've grown!  You're talking more, getting into mischief more, growing more, and, yes - discovering the art of tantrums more.

You definitely have an opinion about things, and you'll make it known when you don't agree with me.  You've got a mind of your own, that's for sure.

You love your sister so much -  You look up to her, you copy her, and you miss her when she's not there.

The biggest achievement is moving out of Mommy's class at school and into Art Camp across the hall.  You've taken the transition like a champ - way better than I expected!

You're also a little, tiny munchkin even though you can out-eat Lissie (a difficult feat) any day!  You're still comfortable in 12-month clothes, and the 18-month pants we bought you for winter are just swimming on you!

A few of your favorite things:

• Playing with your toy airplane set.
• Reading books.
• Being with Lissie.
• Eating crackers with Lolo.
• Being a goofball.

A few of your dislikes:

• Sharing with Lissie.
• Not getting your way.
• Tomatoes and bell peppers.
• Bouncy houses.

You're learning and soaking everything up like a sponge.  I love seeing the world through your eyes.

I love you very much.

Love,
Mommy

And here are a few fun pics:

You wanted it on, and it did look good on you.

This is where you hid during a round of hide-and-seek.

You rolled off of the red mat to the hard wood floor at school.

Loving getting dirty.

Dear Lissie - 3.5

Mommy/Lissie selfie at Laurel Falls

Dear Lissie,

I'm starting to slack a little - you're half-birthday was almost a month ago! It's crazy to think that you are closer to four than you are to three!

You're still my sweet, smart, smiley, and shy little lady.  I love our nightly Jungle Dances (thanks Daniel Tiger) and singing songs off-key into your hairbrush "microphone."  I also love your manners - especially when you thank me without prompting for fixing your meals or taking you somewhere.  Oh, and I love that you take your little purse with you on our daily walks with Rupert, and you fill them up with nature treasures to keep in a mason jar at the kitchen table.

Here are a few of your favorite things:

• Road trips.
• Sleepovers at Lolo and Lola's.
• School.
• Reading - especially the Tickle Monster book with Daddy.
• Watching Daniel Tiger and Team Umizoomi.
• And, of course, cooking in your play kitchen.  (You did tell me that you want to be a "cooker" when you grow up.)
• When Xavier goes to school and you can play together at recess.
• "Shower the People" by James Taylor
• Talking in Spanish (both real and pretend.)
• Putting together your U.S. map puzzle.

And some dislikes:

• Being woken up from nap (which makes picking you up from school challenging since I always have to wake you up!)
• Eggs.
• Unexpected changes in plans (like when Daddy got you up and ready for breakfast because Mommy wasn't feeling well, and it took you all morning to get over that.)
• When Xavier doesn't share.

I am enjoying watching you learn and grow.  I love you very, very much.

Love,
Mommy

And here are some random, silly pictures over the last six months:

A hair cut and a lollipop.

Training for your kid's race.

Pretending to be an altar server.

Dress-up mommy.

You found an old nursing bra, put it on, and declared yourself a nurse.

Pretending to be a pregnant mommy.

Getting all dolled up.