Grace at Four

Our sweet Grace turned four this past January. My how the time flies. Grace had a milestone year. She gave up her binky, potty trained, moved to a big girl bed and started preschool. Three was a year of big change for Grace.

I believe three is a hard age because a child goes from being a baby to being a kid. They are learning so much, and often as a parent it is easy to forget they are still so little.

Four may be my favorite age for my children. The physical labor of parenting lessens, and I am able to enjoy their company.

Our Grace is precious. She is smart and funny. She is beautiful. She adores all of us. Her imagination is awesome. I wish I could pop inside her brain and hang out for a bit.

I am excited to watch Grace learn and grow. She is truly a gift. Each year I ask my kids a few questions. Here are Grace's answers.

What is your favorite color? gold (She has never said this is her favorite color before. I didn't even know she knew gold was a color.)

What is your favorite food? chocolate (Jack told her to say that.)

What is your favorite toy? my treehouse

Who is your best friend? Elena

What is your favorite activity? I like to make puppets (This just makes me giggle because I've never seen her make a puppet.)

What is your favorite game? Uno

What do you want to be when you grow up? a doctor and a mommy

What are you thankful for? my mommy

What is the best thing that happened this year? I went on the big kid swing

What do you like best about being four? riding my bike

Grace also wanted to add that she "likes to write rainbows."

I just love this girl's imagination and sense of humor. Four is truly the best.

Six Already!

Our Jack turned six the day after Christmas. He is by far the best Christmas present I have ever received. Time passes too quickly. I cannot believe it's been six years since he was placed in my eager, terrified arms for the first time. I miss baby Jack, but I love Jack at six. He is just so cool.  

Five was a huge year for Jack. Huge! He started kindergarten and lost his first baby tooth. He gained independence in many ways: riding his bike around the block without us, going to a playdate alone, pouring his own juice, doing the drive line at school instead of me walking him in. Our boy is growing up. 

A competitive nature emerged in Jack this year. He discovered our town's skate park and loves to ride his bike down the biggest jump. Whether at the skate park, climbing wall or monkey bars, he loves to push the limits of his physical abilities. He absolutely hates to lose at anything and enjoys making up games for the family to play.

Jack also has such a kind heart. Recently, Grace decided she no longer needed to sleep with her lovey. After tucking her in, I walked into Jack's room with tears rimming my eyes. "What's wrong mommy," Jack asked worriedly. "Grace doesn't want to sleep with lovey anymore, and I'm sad," I replied. With tears brimming his eyes, Jack said, "That is sad." That is the boy I love more than life itself. A boy of contradictions. Tender yet tough. 

Each year I ask my children a few questions after their birthday. Here's what Jack had to say this year:

What is your favorite color?
blue

What is your favorite food?
chocolate

What is your favorite toy?
Trash Pack and Hexbugs

Who is your best friend?
Jackson and Brody

What is your favorite activity
rock climbing

What is your favorite game to play?
Shark Attack and Frozen

What do you want to do when you grow up?
be a ninja

What are you most thankful for?
my family

What is the best thing that happened this year?
losing a tooth, Christmas and my birthday

What do you like about being six?
I can do more stuff by myself

What do you like best about school? 
"I'm just glad to be there"

I love this boy of mine. Happy birthday sweet Jack! Enjoy six!