Dear Miles,

You are six. You made it!

This year brought kindergarten and a swtch to Montessori education. The transition to a new school environment, as most transitions for you, was rough. We started meeting with a play therapist. She's been a great addition to our lives. She helps Dad and me and you make better decisions. Better decisions about playing with friends and school work and bedtime.

You are wicked smart. Deeply fascinated in science. A pro builder with legos. You are weirdly wonderful. You make great faces, have great dance moves, and are really into weird and cool things. Today, you were acting out the stages of an instect's lifecycle, including crawling around on the floor covered by a blanket as if you were a grub. And ultimately, although every parent has challenges with their children, you are an inherently good and sweet child. I don't see any malice in your personality. It's super refreshing. You are a breath of fresh air.

I hope you continue to delve deep into topics. I hope you remain openly vulnerable and kind and weird. I hope we can continue to work through each new challenge and try to make good choices.

I love you. I grow with you. I grow with the challenges you present to me.

Thank you for being who you are and making me who I am.

I love you, my little weirdo (meant in the best way possible).

Love,
Mama

Dear Will,

You are two today! We've kept you alive for two whole years! There were a few bumps and bruises, scrapes and bloody lips along the way. Even today, you were running down the sidewalk in your shorts and sandals (because it is beautiful out!) and you fell and got a bloody lip. On your birthday of all days! But you won't be stopped. You are active! You jumped three times yesterday! Both feet off the ground!

You love your brother. You want to do everything he does. You are the cutest little mimic. You also love t.v. (beebee), cookies (woggies), penguins (waddlewaddle), fish (wish), Avi (our neighbor), trains (gagachoochoo), and reading books.

You need a whole paragraph for your facial expressions. I think this may be my favorite thing about you. Knowing you so well, I feel dashed if other people in your presence don't take note of your facial expressions. When we yell at you for bad behavior, you tuck your chin and look at the ground. When you're surprised your mouth is oval and your eyes wide, framed by long black lashes. When you shouldn't do something but do it anyway, you turn your head to the side and look at us slyly - the side eye. This is my most favorite one!

Your are funny and fun! You laugh a lot. You act silly. You do big kid things like ride a scooter or build with Legos. You're learning what limits are and how far to push them.

You give really great hugs! You've learned to hug tight and give an extra squeeze and a grunt for emphasis. I love snuggling with you and pretending to be asleep with you.

I can still remember what life was like without you, when we were just three. But I couldn't imagine wanting to go back to that life now that you've made us four. I love you little man.

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mama

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