Naughty or nice

Dear Olivia, The other day, your dad overheard this conversation that you had with your brother: You were in your room on the bottom bunkbed watching a show. You were thirsty, and knew that your cup was on the top bunk. You got creative. You wanted to keep watching your show, so you enlisted your brother to get it for you. In which he happily obliged. You asked, "Maddox, can you go on the top bunk and get my water for me?" Maddox climbed up, and Papa could hear this, ''Thump!'' Maddox surely brought the water down to you. The next moment was what was so hilarious, and that we felt was worth noting. You said, Thanks, Maddox. Now Santa will put you on his nice list!'' Ha, what a creative little girl. With love, Your mama.

Mom! Maddox pooped in the tub!

Dear Olivia and Maddox, Last Thursday was one of the most eventful mommy days ever. Of course we had Fey, so I was up around 6am getting showered and dressed before she arrived at 7am. Once I got out of the shower and started to dress, I heard you (Olivia) calling my name. You then began to explain how you accidentally wet the bed. Now this was quite the event because I don't think you have ever wet the bed. Once we got you out of your pull-ups at night, you basically get up and went potty and went back to bed. This was a fluke and there wasn't a need to make a big deal. I got you up, got your bedding in the washer, and put you in the tub. Of course Maddox couldn't stay sleeping through all this hustle and bustle. Up he was, too. So the day began. Fey came. We actually had a good morning. Fey was a little more needy than normal. I wasn't upset, or feeling angry, or tired. To be honest, we stayed home knowing Olivia had the week off from school and enjoyed staying in our pajamas half of the day (which is quite the rarity for your mama). We enjoyed playing, eating and just being home. By the late afternoon Fey had become quite fussy, and difficult to put down for a nap. I knew you both would be ready to have dinner soon, but getting dinner ready with Fey's fussiness wasn't going to be, so I decided to get you both in the tub, while I helped Fey to sleep. As I went to quickly fix Fey's crib, I heard this voice, "Mom! Come quick! Maddox pooped in the tub!" I raced up with Fey in my arms, to not just one poop, or two poops, but four or five large poops with a bath of mixy poop mess. Oh, my mess. I explained quickly to Fey how, ''sorry you are just gonna have to cry through this one,'' while also explaining for you two to get out of the tub. Olivia happily obliged, but you my son, felt paralyzed by the encircling poop, and I had to whisk you out of there, pronto. The worst part is is that I have to pick up the big poops. Oh, this is the worst. I then emptied the rest and reached for the cleaner and bleach. The thing is I had to keep you guys put because you needed to be cleaned, Fey was crying, the tub wasn't emptying fast enough, and then....I hear, "Wendy, I have been knocking for a few minutes!" It was Dawn Ann. At the back door. I frantically explained the situation, and she asked what she could do, and I simply said, "Hold, Fey!" For goodness sakes that girl was not going to quiet for one minute. So I was grateful to hear Dawn Ann's voice, but embarrassed all the same. I mean it was just one of those moments in a mother's life, where a baby is screaming, I have poop in the tub, the kids are naked, and I have to get to all of it immediately. Thank goodness, Dawn Ann laughed at the situation (which was quite hilarious all the same) and she didn't think I was ignoring or killing her granddaughter. It was quite the hour, and once it was all over, I realized that this is all part of being a mom. Life isn't always glamorous, fun, or near perfect, but it is a life that I live and have as a gift from God, and that my children, is what is most important. Even on a day like today. With love, Your mama

That old, wise spirit shines through

Dear Olivia, We were at Laird Park last Wednesday. You were playing in the sandbox with your brother. A woman came with her two children to the park. The girl walked over to the swings and was trying to get on them. I noticed and was contemplating going to help her up, but also wanted to give her mom the opportunity to do it. At the same moment I was contemplating whether to go over there or not, you very matter-of-factly looked up and said, ''Mom, go over there and help that girl. She wants to get on the swing.'' In that moment, I saw a little 3-year old girl's body, but a very old, and wise spirit. You saw a need, and knew it needed to be fulfilled. It was kind of a magical, spiritual moment for me without you even realizing it. I felt chastised for just not doing it right away (but it was being considered)! The difference is that you would have just gone and done it whether or not that mom would have noticed then, or later. How special you are. How close you are to Heavenly Father's desires. To help those around us. May you always keep that about you. With love, Your mama.

Grateful gobbler

Dear Olivia, We had this grateful gobbler, and everytime you matched the feather (clothespin)to the turkey you stated what you were grateful for. Here is some of what you said: I am grateful for: Heavenly Father Beautiful babies This beautiful earth Leaves Our cozy beds Love that you are learning the greatest things to be grateful for. I love you. Your, mama

Mexican-land

Dear Olivia, Tonight while we were putting you to bed, you explained that you wanted to tell us a joke about Mexican land. We responded with, "Mexican land? What is that?" And you said, ''You know, where there are lots of Mexicans.'' Love, your mama

What would happen if I stuck this bean...

Dear Olivia, The other day you were playing with the Thanksgiving sensory bin at the table. You were playing quietly, but also exploring with the beans -- in some of your open orifices. You stuck a bean in your ear, and I explained to you that you cannot do that that it is dangerous to do so. The next thing I knew, you had tears in your eyes. I noticed the distress on your face and you said, "I stuck a bean up my nose.'' Oh, you sure did. You started sniffing it, which drew it in more. I frantically explained to you to not do that that it would get it stuck more. I kept repeating for you to breathe through your mouth. You listened this time. I then grabbed the tweezers and ever so gently snatched that bean out of your nose. Whew! I thought we were going to have a trip to the emergency room. This incident reminded me of a story your dad once told me. He got curious too, stuck an acorn up his nose, but luckily he too was able to get it out with some crying. That is so something your dad would do, and so something that I would never do! Ha! All my love. Your, mama.

Problem solver

Dear Olivia,

The other day you were playing with your United States floor puzzle. I have never left you to do it all by yourself.  When I went up later to check on you there it was fully completed.  This is a difficult puzzle in the fact that the inside of the U.S. has no lines.  You have to just fit the pieces together in an empty space. 

I was quite pleased to see you had used your problem solving skills and figured the whole puzzle out.  When I asked you how you did it, you said, "I just looked at the box for awhile and then put it together.'' 

Way to go you!

Love,

Your mama

Tangram and developing you

Dear Olivia,

As I picked you up from preschool today, Miss Tammy had some wonderful news.  She told me how you were exploring the tangrams and that you had such focus and were creating beautiful patterns of art.  She was quite impressed. And so am I.

Love,

Your mama

Everything WILL be okay

Dear Olivia,

The other day, after a long, exhausting one at that, your papa and I started the bedtime routine, and he then disappeared without finishing it.  Instead of ranting, I continued the process.  After gettting your brother down, I was laying with you on your bed.  I must have made some sort of comment about your dad not helping.  You then said this to me:

''It's okay, mom.  Don't be mad at papa.  Just take some deep breaths and everything will be okay."

Your wisdom is far beyond your years little one.  Thanks for the reminder.

Love, mama

An example of Christ

Dear Olivia,

Your artistic mind is rolling with new ideas every single day about the world around you.  Last week we were driving and listening to Rachnominov.  The particular instrumental was a melancholy one.  You identified that all by yourself.  You told me how sad the song sounded and you wondered why.  Your dad gave you a story about the composer's homeland, and you feasted on his words.  He told you how he came from a difficult place one of which they didn't always have enough food.  You in your kindness and servitide automatically explained that you wanted to help them and send food and clothing their way. 

How I wish I could be more like you.  Thank you for the reminder of Christlike love.

Love,

Your Mama.

Not your first story...

But I decided to actually write this one down.  You started your Kindemusik "Imagine That!" this semester, which means you are all grown up and go all by yourself.  Boo-hoo.  But you are learning so much.  Like how to tell stories, musical concepts like ''glissando'' and lots of other fun things.  For treasure's sake, I wanted to be sure to get this story in the books, since write now it is written on a paper bag with a marker that was my only writing instrument at the moment you were creating your story with the ''Josh and Katie'' storyboard you got from Kindermusik.  Here it is my sweet girl:

I am going to walk over to the bridge.  Oh, then I am going to go back.  Oh, maybe it's your ball?  Oh, yeah, she said.  Woo-hoo!  As they cross the bridge.  Look!  The birdie is up in the sky.  I'm hungry.  So they went and eat.  Woo!  Is that my drink?  That's mines.  Slurp.  (Chomping sounds).  Let's swing!  Swish!  Look at me!  Swish.  Let's to the teeter-totter.  Look at the pigeons.  Look!  Look!  Look at them.  Coo!  Coo!  They're all up in the sky.  Let's climb up the ladder!  Pigeons!  What are they doin'?  Coo!  Coo!  I think they don't like us.  We're tired.  Hi, (xx).  You got big.  Oh, yeah.  Are you Susie?  You're my friend.  That's my friend right here.  That's Josh.  Oh, hi, Josh.  Is that (xx)?  No.  Oh.  This is Grasshopper Park.  Coo!  Coo!  Maybe we can go across the bridge.  Coo!  Coo!  (The birds fly down to the picnic blanket and take the basket of food).  I guess we got to go home.  We're leaving 'cause the pigeons got our food.  Yeah.  Let's leave.  Mean little pigeons.  Go away!  You shouldn't eat our food!  The end. 

You are three and a half years old.  Very creative, my girl.

Love, your mama.

Big girl. Big decisions.

We went to Discovery Gateway on Friday morning.  Since the museum was quite busy with school kids, I felt it was important for you and I to discuss a meeting point in case we got separated (when I had to keep an eye on your brother who isn't quite good at knowing how to find me just yet). 

I showed you where the bench was where you were to go and wait until I found you.  I also explained that you were not to leave through the door.  Most people would probably wonder why I would expect that from a 3 1/2 year old, but I know I can with you.

There was a moment when you went to the farm, I was at the water table with Maddox.  As you came back towards us you couldn't see me, but I could see you.  You were searching for me.  You couldn't see me even when I called because it was very loud in there.  But you, my dear Olivia, yoiu didn't panic because you knew what to do.  When you couldn't find me, you stopped and started looking for that bench.  You spotted it and headed right to it.  I got ot you right then, but that made me feel so good and happy inside.  You were told what to do, you remembered, and then you did what you were supposed to do.  How big of you!  How incredibly amazing that is.  How lucky I am to have such a resourceful, obedient, good listening little girl.  Thank you. 

One other highlight of that day was when we were eating lunch.  A rule with me is that you have to eat mostly all of your healthy foods in return for a ''sugar treat.''  You really wanted candy corn but I wanted you to complete your lunch.  I then said, ''Okay, if you take five bites of your PB&J, you can have some candy corn.''  You sat and thought for a minute and then you said,'' How about I have five bites of my applesauce?"  You were negotiating with me!  At 3 years old! 
So after further negotiations we settled on applesauce and two bits of PB&J.  Hooray!  You light up my life little one.  And I am sorry that I am hard on you sometimes.  I know I make mistakes.  Just know that I know that I make mistakes, and I try my hardest not to, but no matter what I love you and what the very, very best for you.

With love,

Mama

That would be just perfect.

As we were heading out to run errands, and go to the park today, I had buckled both you and Maddox in, and went inside to grab the keys.  I decided to give you two a little bit of candy, and I had just finished talking to your Papa on the phone.  You asked me where I had gotten the candy from and I responded that your Papa had gotten the candy for you. 

A few seconds went by and then you said, "Did papa give the candy to you through the phone?"  I had to chuckle because your thinking was on the right path, and you are developmentally in the right place.  You are always thinking about the world around you and I truly appreciate that about you.

Another moment that I enjoyed was when we were at the Elder's Quorum BBQ that got rained out to the chapel.  You were playing on the stage with some of the children.  When I went to check in on you, you were inside this little cardboard area and you were pretending that you were a kitty.  How darling. 

Then tonight as we were attempting to put you to bed, Papa was laying with you and you were having a hard time.  You mentioned something about "Mama,'' and Papa asked you if you wanted your mama.  And you said through tears, "That would be just perfect.  That is what I want.  I want my mama.  That's all I want."  You melt my heart, baby girl.  I remember once upon a time ago when all you wanted was your dad. 

You are so communicative.  You really tell me what is going on in your sweet mind, and often when I am frustrated, you have this ability through your reasoning and words that help me calm down, and help me to realize how important you guys are versus what I feel the way things need to go.  Thank you for helping me to remember not to sweat the small stuff.

I love you.

The essence of who you are

Dear Olivia,

I have been writing about you since before you were born, but I felt that it was time that I started writing letters to you on your very own personal blog, so that when the time comes to share all of these moments with you it will be easy to find and print. 

Olivia, you are now three and a half years old.  You are a bright, happy, social, caring, and perceptive child.  You don't miss a beat.  Olivia, you are very obedient.  You love a good laugh.  You enjoy dancing, pretend playing, telling stories, riding your bike and running through the sprinklers.  This is just to name a few. 

Three years has gone by extremely fast.  This is my attempt to really capture the essence of who you are.  You are so loving, forgiving, honest, and virtuous.  You listen, and obey.  You capture my attention. 

Your beauty inside and out is unmatched.  And more than anything I want you to know how much I love you.  You are my angel.  I am so very grateful to have you in my life.  What a gift and great blessing you are from our Heavenly Father.  How grateful I am to be the one to parent you.  Thank you for choosing our family despite the mistakes we make.  Thank you for the lessons you teach me that also help me in my own progression in this life.  So far your teachings have been priceless.  Thank you.

With love,
Mama