Checking in

I always check on my sleeping children sometime before retiring for the evening myself. What started out as one last assurance they were still breathing has evolved into a few quiet minutes each night to observe them, pray over them, appreciate them. What struck me one day last week was

She sleeps like her Dad Sprawled Covers kicked Mouth slightly agape Near edge Flung

He sleeps like his Mom. Snuggly On stomach Blanket on shoulder Cozy pillow Cocooned

	We held Nate’s birthday party at his favorite play place, Seabase, a few days after his birthday. He was thrilled to sit in the “King” chair.
	I didn’t get many pictures of pizza and cake but I did get video. My goal this year is to get much more video than I have in the past. They are so fun to watch.
	After lunch there was a train ride.
	Ice cream truck rides.
	Tunneling, jumping, sliding.
	Josh was right there in the tunnels with Nate to celebrate his special day.
	We opened gifts at home later. We are so very blessed to have such good friends & family eager to celebrate Nate’s 3rd birthday.

	Both Annabelle & I played hooky on Nate’s actual birthday, we spent the afternoon at Chuck E Cheese.
	We played games.
	Drove Truck
	Climbed and rode the slide.
	This horse made Nate furiously happy.
	There was dancing.
	Now that he is 3 he has moved on from the Stoner Bop.
	Later that night we sang and had cake.
	Which Nate put in his belly.
	Nate’s gift from us was the Melissa & Doug pirate ship. He *really* likes it.
	He is also having fun with the Silly Suits with Larry.
	After protesting he simply wasn’t tired, my big 3 year old was sacked within minutes of his head hitting the pillow. (comfy, cozy pillow that is, some things don’t change with a birthday)

January 5, 2012

Dear Nate,

Happy 3rd Birthday!! My sweet, ornery, adorable little 3 year old with the comfy, cozy pillow. You have grown so much. Gone are the chubby little legs and baby face, replaced sometime this year with the trademark Stoner long, lean looks I suspect you will carry your entire life. It is often remarked by friends and strangers how beautiful you are. That devilish smile that lights up your eyes first, it is infectious.

“Nate always has a story” is what your sister says. It’s true; you get rolling and barely stop to take a breath. Back in November we ran into an old friend of your Dad & I. She bent down and said in the sing songy voice reserved for small children “Hi there, how old are you?” You replied “I’m 2. We are putting up a Christmas tree with a train underneaf, it will be an engine with 2 tenders and last year I was scared of it. I’m going to run it under the tree while I watch Jake and the Never land Pirates. I like Jake and Annabull likes Izzy”. She just looked a bit stunned. We laughed with a shrug. “That’s our Nate, he always has a story”.

You started attending Sunday school a few months ago. The first few weeks were not easy, you had trouble adjusting to all the kids, activity and being dropped off. Now you jump right in. You are learning, you are having fun. We pray every night before bed and I suspect you are God’s nightly comic relief. You pray like you think, asking God to take away bad dreams in the trunk of his car or seeming to be done and then say “Wait, I have one more fing to tell you”. It is sincere and comfortable and I love watching your relationship with him grow.

Your favorite toys are still Thomas & Friends trains, puzzles, books and anything belonging to your sister. How is it little brothers are born with an innate ability to push their sister’s buttons? While you still think Annabelle hung the moon you really do know how to set her off, and do on a regular basis. Please stop throwing her dolls behind the couch.

We are having your Pirate party at your favorite play place this weekend with your friends. You are beyond excited. I'm beyond excited to see you glow.

Know we love you to the moon and back. Happy Birthday my Boodle.

With all my love,
Mommy