44 Months - February 2011

The other day I was playing with you on the floor and you were doing something super cute like drawing monsters with big bloby circles for the body, eyes, mouth, nose, etc., and I told you that you couldn't grow up and you needed to stay as small as you are right now forever. You got pretty mad when I told you that and said, "No Mom, I need to grow up so I can be a dad someday." I thought about that and then told you that would mean that I would be a grandma and asked if that would be okay. You said it would, but then I told you that you couldn't get married/have kids until you are 24. You seemed okay with that too, so I guess we've got it all planned out. You have even asked me who you are going to marry a few times in the last few months, and I just hope you ask my opinion when you get older. I remember when you very first said Ballentine, and apparently I will write about it in every February letter from now on. Just keeping being my Ballentine buddy and asking me for advice on who you should marry...

It's been cold enough this year that the snow we got back in December stuck around for EVER. You kept begging me to go play in it with you, and one day this month you finally wore me down. You lasted a lot longer out there than I did, but we had fun making snow angels and playing tag...

This probably isn't something you want broadcasted, but it's my letter so I'll write what I want! A few months ago I got tired of buying Pull-Ups for nighttime so I just decided to quit putting you in them. You have only had a few accidents and now go to bed without milk, without a Pull-Up, and you stay there ALL night! It's been lovely and only proves to me more that you have been the easiest kid to break of things, and you've probably totally spoiled and ruined me for when I have to get Tess to start giving up stuff.

You do still have to have your movie when you go to bed though. It's something I would like to replace with a book, but for now your dad or I try to read you a story before we turn on the movie. The other night when I went to turn off your movie after you'd fallen asleep I found you asleep in your room with the light on holding a book. It was pretty dang cute! I hope with all my heart I can teach you to love to read. It's my opinion that loving to read will take you farther than any other hobby you can have.

My friend Taren came down for a couple days this month while dad was out of town. It was pretty funny because you were already asleep by the time she made it here from American Fork and you ended up coming into our room that night to snuggle with me and dad. Imagine your surprise when there was a strange blonde sleeping where mom usually does! I'm not sure who was more surprised!

The morning she was getting ready to leave she let you play with the photobooth on her computer. She taught you how to take pictures and set it up so your face was distorted and did funny things when you moved around, and you played with that for a good hour straight. I bet she's got at least 200 pictures of you now! We did convince you to let us take some normal ones too...

You are such a silly kid and you love to have fun, play with play-doh, torment your sister, TALK, watch Care Bears (your dad did too!), pretend to be the Grinch (still!), and learn. You ask when your birthday almost every day, and I wish you weren't so excited to turn 4. 4! I guess that means I've only got 20 years to shape you into the kind of guy someone is going to want to marry. It shouldn't be too hard, just remember to let your mom have a say in who the girl is!

Love you buddy,

Mom