Dear Spotty Chop you are 120 months old

Well, almost 120 months old - we have to wait for 5:03pm. But I can say it a bit early. 

This is what an almost double digit boy looks like

This is how an almost double digit boy gets to school today

You are the best kid ever. You have no idea how proud of you I am, especially in dealing with my recent surprise hospitalization on Saturday. Your dad was a mess, he really can't deal with anything bad happening to me. You kept him grounded and sane. You have been so sweet and careful of me. I can't get off the couch or go to the bathroom without your help. You insist that I hold onto  your shoulders whenever I walk anywhere. You are especially great at giving me kisses that other folks have been sending to help me recover. You are extremely superb at making sure that my furry friends kisses are translated well to me. 

I hope you  have a great day at school and you enjoy the treats we sent you in your lunch!

I hope someday you decide to have kids so that you can be as in love as I am with you.

love
mama

Dear Spotty Chop you are 112 months old

Start of Summer addition

You seem to be enjoying summer explorer camp this year. So far you have gone to:

• Nantasket Beach
• Hopkinton State Park
• Scussett Beach
• Dinosaur Exhibit
• Goddard State Park

Papa has taken you to:

• Lego Land – you had fun
• Heritage Museum & Gardens – you LOVED this – they had 2 exhibits you couldn’t stop talking about. The first was “Wicked Plants”, detailing all sorts of plants that can kill you Papa said you read EVERY description – hahaha – welcome to our world. There was also a “Big Bug” exhibit, you had to search the grounds for all of the man made, wooden bugs.

You and J-Man have swam and made sugar cookies at our place (there is a water balloon fight, tie dying and rice crispy treats in your futures too!)

You have been camping twice with another trip this weekend AND we had the extra crunchie bonus of having my favorite godson, his sister and their parents (my uncle & aunt) here for the week. We got to see them once, you were SOO disappointed that you didn’t get to spend a week with GO, but you guys made the most of the time you had.

Movies you have watched:

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – it was insane watching you watch this – you at times were dancing you were so excited, well sometimes with glee, but often you did the dance of annoyance-  any time we had to pause the movie)
• The Spy Next Door (you were extremely nervous that you wouldn’t like this, but we explained that Jackie Chan has done a lot of funny movies) – you loved it
• Free Birds  - you were happy
• And something else that for the life of me I can’t remember

You have added several things to your mealtime adventures:

• Hamburger (both burgers and just hamburger in stuff – TACOS!!!! YOU LOVE TOACOSSSSSSSSSssssssssssssssss)
• Sausage (you have been eating breakfast sausage for awhile, but now you do sweet Italian – in fact the other night Boy Toy was grilling sausage for our supper and I had him grill two packages 1 for dinner and 1 that I would throw into a spaghetti sauce the next day. You ate 7 sausages, you would have eaten more, but I refused. I had 2…
• Piquant pork chops  - this is a recipe that your great-grandmother (Nannie’s mom) used to make. To be honest with you I was expecting you to dislike it and I had BIG plans on having the leftovers for lunch today, but guess who loved it….well, you didn’t care for the red peppers and I didn’t understand when you kept saying “it has too much ketchup”  what you really meant was peppers – once I explained and we moved the peppers away you went to town. Yet another recipe that will soon need to be doubled (hold the peppers)  

Summer Reading:

I took you and J-man to the library’s summer reading kick off – they had a magician Peter Boie that was really cool, “Peter started learning magic at age 11 from a magic book he checked out of his local library.  That interest turned into a career as a professional magician which takes him around the country performing for people in all walks of life.”

The neat thing about the program this summer is that not only do you fill out periodic table for every 30 mins they read (we can’t help loving the elements  - http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/theymightbegiants/meettheelements.html), but they are also given an optional science experiment  to do (for more changes of prizes). This will be great for kids like J-man who find reading challenging/boring.  You are super excited about it (last year’s theme was pirates and doubloons).   I get kind of bummed when we go to events at the library when there are very few kids your age or older. Why aren’t more people at the Library? BOOOOOKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Our town is often an odd town.

We are also doing the Barns & Noble  summer reading program where you read 8 books and then you get a free book. Who doesn’t love FREE!!!??

Books read: (or in the midst of reading, which I really don’t get as I don’t have multiple books going at the same time, I find your reading style an abomination, not that I would say such a thing, get a book, read book, move to the next. THAT is the order of things):

• BIG NATE AND FRIENDS
• OPHELIA AND THE MARVELOUS BOY
• GAME OVER, PETE WATSON
• Dragon Keepers #3: The Dragon in the Library

At least these are the ones I know about…I may be missing a few as you sometimes just read and I don’t notice and then I say “Spotty, why don’t you read “xxx” and you go “I read that awhile ago”.  Or the stuff you read in school. Your teacher let you all take home a book and a couple of magazines if you wanted the last day of school. You brought home “Fudgeamania” by Judy Blume. I said “oh are you going to read that?” And you replied “I already read this. In fact this was maybe my most favorite book I have read.” Really? It’s one of your most favorite and I had no idea. YOU are growing up far too fast my boy.  We are also listening to the Hobbit on CD and I am reading you The Familiars #3: Circle of Heroes.

Well two weeks into Summer and you are really into the swing of things. I couldn’t be happier. You are an amazing individual. Love ya kiddo 

Dear Spotty Chop you are 110 months old

What kind of mischief have you gotten yourself into recently? We thought you broke your finger during soccer. But you just jammed it really badly. Then we thought you might need stitches as you face planted during soccer. But Boy Toy was able to get the bleeding to stop.  You are still playing soccer. You will NOT RUN during soccer, but as other parents have pointed out. You are always “in the way”. You have been managing to get yourself in the other teams way almost always.  I think hockey has helped  your soccer skills. Who’d a thunk it?

You have decided that you like cheeseburgers, and sausage patties. You have tried asparagus and didn’t mind it. You are also drinking a juice that has banana in it  of course I didn’t mention the banana until you told us that you loved it.  You are also eating granola – that I make (we can thank Auntie Moo for this).  You are trying another strategy for eating lunch during school. You are eating when your friends are inline waiting to get lunch. THEN you talk. It seems to be working. You are actually eating your lunch (a yogurt drink, some carrots/broccoli, blackberries, a piece of ham and dried cranberries (granola if I don’t burn it.) You seem to actually be eating, so we are happy.

You are reading  “A Snicker of Magic”, The homework machine #2, and something about a bed & breakfast that involves aliens. I can’t say enough how lucky we are that you love to read. I can’t imagine (yes I can I would be devastated) what I would do if you didn’t love to read.  We are reading the 2^nd Familiar book before bed.  I ran into the youth librarian and asked him about “George and the Big Bang” the 3^rd book in Stephen Hawking’s kid series. He didn’t realize it was a series and said he would keep an eye out for it. So yea – we should be able to read that at some point!

You are still neck deep into watching Minecraft videos on Youtube. You would rather do that than anything else right now.  Boy Toy and I need to come up with some ideas on how to prevent you from freaking out when you don’t do well/are asked to stop. We will let you know when/if we come up with a solution.

The big news of the month? You watched A New Hope with me! May the 4^th be with you is a magical day! You liked the movie. You knew pretty much everything due to playing Star Wars Lego’s, but you said it was still a good movie. Now we just need to find some time to watch the first Harry Potter movie…

You created a card game to play with your friends. You have spent a huge amount of time working on it. Figuring out scoring, how different cards react to each other, a game board. I hope your friends and you have fun playing it. And even if they don’t, I think it’s pretty dang awesome that you came up with the idea. You and your dad gave it a test play. He thought it wasn’t bad at all.

For mother’s day this  year  you picked out a GREAT T-shirt

And some tea (Golden Monkey – Teavana)

Also some flowers. You were so tricky telling me you were going out to get ice cream to keep me off the track.

Well that’s about it here. We will talk again next month. Love ya 

Dear Spotty Chop you are 109 months old

You participated in a Read a thon at school. You got an award for being the top reader in your class! We think that is so awesome!  You have been getting little awards each week (pencils, erasers, thingys that go on pencils) but this feat had granted you a $10 giftcard for scholastic books. You are so excited.

Books read:

• Timmy Failure – now look what you’ve done by Stephan Pastis -- you love this series
• Princess Lablemaker to the Rescue – an origami yoda book – by Tom Angleberger -- this may be one of your favorite series ever
• The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great – Gerald Morris -- you really like this and want more of the series
• Alvin Ho – Allergic to camping, hiking, and other natural disasters – by Lenore Look -- you liked t his enough that I bought you the first in the series (BAD ME for getting the 2^nd book in a series first)
• White Crane – Samurai Kids – by Sandy Fussell --  I was very happy you liked this book. The premise is that a bunch of disabled kids (that no other sensei wanted) are all being taught by one sensei. The book came at a good time as your father had taped a lot of the para Olympics and many of the commercials during the event showcased disabled people that sort of freaked you out.  
• Ordinary Boy –  by William Boniface -- you liked it, but it wasn’t a Fav
• Astronaut Academy - Re-entry - by Dave Roman - this is another favorite series for you
• Stuart Little - by E.B. White -- YOU LOVED THIS  I was surprised by how much, but I guess I shouldn’t have been as last year your teacher read Charlotte’s web and you loved it.
• Almost Super – by Marion Jensen – you have also joined a group at the library where you commit to reading 10 new books (that the child’s librarian chooses). In January you will all get together and vote on things like best male character, best female, best cover, best ending etc. You weren’t crazy about the book when you first started reading it. But you have in fact decided that it just might be your favorite of the year
•  I’m reading you Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets by J. K. Rowling -- This is the series that has you asking me to read during the day
• Your dad is reading you  Lawn Mower Magic - A Stepping Stone Book - by Lynne Jonell  -- your dad hasn’t read to you in awhile so I made sure to grab something for him to read you for your birthday. I think he missed reading to you (even if you drive him MAD when you correct him. I had to reassure Boy Toy that you do that to me too.

You recently tried: asparagus – like it; sweet potatoes (in non fry form) – like fries better; peppers & onions (cooked with sausage) – onion you said didn’t taste like anything, red pepper mad the sausage taste sweeter.

You also helped us pick out a new (to us) vehicle. We are now the proud owners of a red 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. It’s selling points (for you) the rear seats recline, you have your own arm rest and cup holder. You have air vents in back, but most importantly, you have your own plug to charge your games.

We hosted our first sleep over. JMan came and the two of you had a blast. You unfortunately had hockey the next morning so I did have to ask you guys to go to bed. But I promised that once hockey was done we would have JMan back and then the two of you could stay up as late as you wanted.

Love ya little dude (who is 4 ½ feet tall and 70 lbs)

Dear Spotty Chop you are 108 months old

Sorry it’s been so long since my last letter. Work has been crazy, our lives have been chaotic and I am perhaps a tad bit lazy. But I’m back!

9 years old – you are a nine year old my friend. Although at times I am wondering if you are perhaps a 16 year old in disguise? I really shouldn’t be surprised as both your father and I are known to have “attitude issues”.  Doesn’t matter, we love you, a lot.

So what’s been going on with you? What are you into? You still love to watch Pokemon with me. Adventure Time, Kicking it, The Neighbors, Regular Show, Teen Titans, Haunted Hathaway’s are all shows you really love. I don’t understand what you like about Uncle Grandpa or Steven Universe.

We just finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. YOU LOVED THIS BOOK. You often would stop playing video games so you and I could run to your room pull up the covers and read more. I know you want to read the second one, but I am waiting for Cheese Please to give me the lowdown on the rest of the series. Yes I have read them, but my brain is old and I can’t remember when stuff happens – her brain is young and smart. I just don’t want to be reading you stuff that you aren’t quite ready for – or at least we can talk about if you feel like you are ready to loose a character you love. Of course right now I am reading you the Seekers  - The Quest Begins; good Fing GOD, so far one mom is dead, eaten by Orca’s. Another mom is going crazy and one mom has abandoned her cub. And that was in the first 6 chapters.  I seriously don’t know if we can continue on as we both seem to be getting very depressed…luckily I did buy you the 2^nd in the Familiar series so that should be hopefully a bit more upbeat.  You have also really enjoyed the Astronaut Academy, so much so that you are getting the 2^nd in the series for your birthday. Same with Alvin Ho – although I accidently bought you the 2^nd in the series for Xmas, so you are getting the first for your birthday (had I realized before you were halfway done that I had done that – I would have bought the first one much sooner. HATE reading a series out of order.) I wasn’t on top of my game Christmas as I bought you the 4^th in the Dragon Keepers series, you wouldn’t read it so you are getting the 3^rd for your birthday too.  You are still reading the Dragonbreath series (I think you are up to 7 or 8 now) you also really like the Imaginary Veterinary series. Diary of a Wimpy kid is a go to read when you are feeling anxious, as in Captain Underpants. You were totally in love with the Secret Zoo series, but the 4^th book in the series spooked you after the first few pages, so we put that aside for later. Boy Toy was reading Wings of Fire and during one of the confrontations you decided to stop reading that as well. We will try again later as up until then you LOVED THEM.

We got a few games you enjoy

CastlePanic – we played this 9-10 times and got beat EVERY Fing TIME. We played just you and I, we played as a family – in fact just Boy Toy and I played until 2am one night trying to beat the game. We finally had to call my cousin and her husband and asked them to come over (they are big game players) and we did finally beat this…but it was down to the wire. The neat thing about this game is not only is it coop, but you can play solo as well.

The other game is a sequel to Forbidden Island which is also a kick ass game (that Moo and co. gave you one Xmas,) but we think Forbidden Desert (that Moo and co gave you this Xmas) might be a bit better – my cousin and husband also came over to try and help us beat this – but we FAILED. You seem to be very stressed out over not winning and we are trying desperately to show you that you don’t have to win to have a good time. It’s a work in progress.

Maybe when we go to Moo & Freak Show’s house to play this (once I am assured that the plague that infected me is not hiding in you or Boy Toy) you will relax.  You still love to play  Zombie Dice and Munchkin, we got some expansion packs and additional sets that make us laugh. You still pull out Stratego and on occasion the Bakugan game (that’s like Stratego).

You still spend time with Nannie and Pap. Papa has taken you on multiple adventures. The most recent being Laser Tag, The Museum of Fine Arts and The Higgen’s Armory Museum. Papa still chases you around the house with a broom threatening to beat you, but now you occasionally take the broom and chase him through the house.

You are taking lean to play hockey lessons. You seem to be enjoying it, but you don’t want to play hockey because you are afraid you are going to get hurt. Little dude there is no checking until…high school? College? You aren’t going to get hurt. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t care if you play hockey or not, I just don’t want you to close the door on something on the possibility of a scenario that chances are will never happen…good god you are your father!

You are a Minecraft fiend. You love to play and are spending more time playing with other people than you do building worlds. I really appreciate that you still ask us before you do things on line “is it ok if I answer someone’s question, can I join an auction?” I know it won’t always be this way, but I think it’s sweet.

You stayed home today, you asked if you could. So right now you are playing Kirby in Dreamland. You loved Kirby’s epic yarn and you seem to really love this one too. One of the books I got you “the Homework Machine” you have already read…brat. You said you wanted ice cream cake for breakfast so the cake is on the counter, once it thaws a bit more you shall have CAKE. We will be going to Dave & Buster’s later for lunch. Yesterday we took you and JMan to see the Lego Movie. You both loved it. The movie matinee (for kids) was $9.00. For your father and I it was $9.50.  I wonder how much movie tickets will be by the time you read this letter?

Love you kiddo Happy Birthday! 

Dear Spotty Chop you are 96 months old today

Happy Birthday! I can’t believe you are 8. I’ve missed a couple of letters…I know shocking, work has been crazy busy and I’ve been traveling to NYC. We had a great day with you today. A VERY full day. You have had a plan in mind for awhile and we stuck to it like glue.

Wake up

Eat pandycakes

Open presents

Go to skating

Go to DQ for a Fanta drink (they have the most awesome drink dispenser -  you chose Fanta Lime)

Go to GameStop purchase games

Head down to Providence

Go to Dave & Buster’s for lunch

Go to movies – see Escape from Planet Earth

Go back to D&B’s

Go home

Open more presents

Eat Ice Cream Cake

Mission accomplished.

This past month you got new glasses, went on skates for the first time (and LOVE IT) and started swimming lessons up again. For the past 3 months you have been crazy for making board games. You do it at your afterschool program, you do it when you are with papa, you do it when you are with us. You just can’t stop. They are usually fun to play (impossible to win…)

I went to your school to read to your class for your birthday. I picked  “Weird but True! 4: 300 Outrageous Facts”. You love these books with a passion and  you like reading them to us on our way up (or back) from the White Mountains. It just so happened that your class is doing a section on  non-fiction, which was a very nice cowinkydink.  The kids in your class are a lot of fun. In fact I was in your class twice this past month. I went in the day before Valentines to be a “cashier” during your Valentine shopping spree. I manned the ribbon counter. You guys got to go from station to station purchasing items to decorate your valentine containers. You bought a LOT of ribbons, actually all your friends did, your teacher had to run to resupply me.  I love seeing you with your friends.

We didn’t get to see you at the snowflake ball this year. The bride’s dad passed away and then Jman’s mom was told on Friday afternoon (the ball was Friday night) that there were too many people and they couldn’t go  which would have sucked….well Boy Toy wouldn’t have gone and I would have taken Jman and you, but instead Campbell and Jman went in our place. You and Jman had a blast.

You got to do an overnight with Nannie and Papa during February break– papa takes Friday’s off now, but at 1:00pm he told everyone that it was a Spotty Chop day and he had better things to do. You two are as thick as thieves and I love how much the two of you love each other. Papa has shingles right now so he hasn’t been able to play with you. Let’s hope he gets well soon.

I hope this is a great  year for you!

Love you kiddo!!!!

Dear Spotty Chop you were 91 months old 9 days ago

You are doing a great job at the dentist! Your dad had to take you and the cleaning went without a hitch. This baby is why you need to brush your teeth. So your dentist appointments are pain and scare free.

We went to Nannie and Papas so BoyToy could help Papa move furniture and stuff, then we went uptown. The town did its first Luminary Night and we walked through a labyrinth and got popcorn. We should have brought warmer jackets. You were having a blast walking around and looking at all the lights. We had dinner over Favorite Uncles and Froggy’s. You were playing on Froggy’s IPAD and you were playing a game they had been playing for months. They were kind of blown away about the stuff you were able to teach them, even after only playing for 20-30 mins.

I went to NYC for the first time in years. I did an overnight, I should have gone for 2 nights as there was a lot to do, but we do what we can. You and your dad had a great Dude’s night. Neither of you will tell me what you did, but I know it involved take out and late night gaming. Your teacher wrote to tell me that you missed me. I missed you too kiddo.

You got your wish to go to a hotel. We went down the cape so I could go scrapbooking. You and your dad swam and bowled and explored. You found a shell that looked like the foot of a turtle statue that had been broken off. We remembered that the food for dinner kind of sucked so we went to the British Beer Co instead…we missed the ice cream so next year an earlier dinner! Also breakfast was beautiful right on the water, but expensive as hell for what we got, not sure what we will do next year…Someone misplaced the PSP so there was drama at the end of the scrapbooking…We will have a drama free trip someday. We were planning on leaving early anyways so you could get to a classmates birthday party. You had a great time more bowling, video games and laser tag! I have no idea what we are going to do for your party…

Thanksgiving was nice. It was the first time you actually ate what was prepared, but you thought the turkey was tasteless as well as the potatoes…You had a great time with your cousins…I think one or two of them kind of treated you like shit…I could have been reading into things, you weren't upset.

We went to cut down our Christmas tree. You had the best time ever. You were nervous because you remember getting a cut from last year. But for some reason you took to the saw like it was made for you and were cutting everything in sight.

A friend of mine was stranded one morning at the train station due to train problems and I explained that after I dropped you off I was going to pick her up. As we were getting ready you were very concerned that she had nothing to eat and drink along with being outside in the cold,  so we called her back to see if we could make her anything. She was very touched. As was I.

You are a such a great kid. We still play angry bull and trot trot. You love to sit on my lap when we watch TV and you have started playing with my hair again when you need comfort. You haven’t been playing on the gaming consoles much, but you can’t get off the computer.

Love ya baby

Dear Spotty Chop you were 90 months old a few weeks ago

Good God where does the time go? I haven't blogged in forever. 

Lets see, you starting private swimming lessons. You are really enjoying them. You have been doing something really weird with your body when you swim. We tried to help you correct it during the summer but it didn't work, so we figured we would let the people that know what they are doing try. It seems to be working, but apparently it is common in kids your age. 

Halloween big success, there is a post in there somewhere. I am sure it will be done eventually. You slept over Nannie and Papa's so your dad and I could go to a Halloween party. We had a great time, you had a great time. They let you stay up WAAAY tooo LATE and watch movies together. Papa chases you through the house with a broom still. You think that its the most fun ever!

I got to be the mystery reader in your class. YOU were so excited. Your class sang me a welcome song and you sat next to me while I read. I brought 2 books, because I am a rebel that way. While I was reading you linked your arm with mine. You would lean against me and you would give me a content little sigh. I learned some of the "signs" you use when someone is reading to show that you agree with what I read or could make a connection to something you had read. After I read your friends got to ask me questions. I had such a blast! When school was over you ran off to go to the after school program. Apparently you had no interest in coming home with me, you wanted to go hang out with your friends. 

We went to your cousins birthday party. You had a good time. When we left we hit Walmart (it was right before hurricane Sandy) then went out for Chinese food. You decided to try won-ton soup, vegetables tempura and sushi. You like the soup and the veggies, you weren't crazy about the sushi, but YOU asked to try these things. SO frelling proud of you I can't stand it. 

You also went to a classmates birthday party. It was a sports party and you were so upset that during baseball you got out a few times. I tried explaining that you don't play baseball and this was only the second time you have ever held a bat, and when you got out it wasn't because you struck out, you hit the friggen thing EVERY TIME, but then you hit the ball that allowed the birthday boy to run home and win the game...you were happy after that. 

Finally to wrap things up...this is how you have been coming home from school... Apparently you are the talk of the school. 

What I will tell you? If you drive past me and let go of your dad again? YOU ARE DEAD MEAT BABY!

Dear Spotty Chop you were 89 months old...2 weeks ago?

I know I said I wasn't going to obsess over these letters any more. In my defense I was hit with the barf bug, and then....we were doing stuff, and I was writing about it...

Let's see, we visited Grammie and Grumpa. Something we had not done in...months. I have told Boy Toy that he needs to initiate contact with his folks, I can't do everything. Anyhoo, Grammie wanted a photo of you so she could bring it to work and show all your old preschool teachers. Then she wanted a picture of you and Grumpa. You have only known Grumpa as being in a wheel chair and not speaking which is too bad. He has a hard time communicating (and even back in the day, he would communicate by telling you to get the hell out of the way of the TV ...whatever sport of the day he was watching.) You were standing next to his wheelchair when you suddenly got a glimmer in your eyes. You casually put your arm behind Grumpa to give him "bunny ears", and he caught you. You laughed so frelling hard, the two of you went back and forth for 15-20 mins, you laughing like a loon and Grumpa with one of the biggest grins I have seen. It was probably the best interaction you two have ever had. 

Soccer has started up again. You would rather be playing video games which i totally get. And I explained to you that you would be playing a team sport so deal. You have so much fun when you are there and after the game or practice you say how much you love it. But the next week it is the same argument. I wish you knew why you act like you do before we go. I've asked, and you don't know. All I can tell you is I love you.

We had a fun week where Jman's mom dropped him off at our house every morning so i could drive the two of you to school and she could get to her meetings on time. The two of you had so much fun together.

You loved the wedding up in New Hampshire and you were such a gentleman leaving the cabins with wood stoves for my cousins who just had babies or had no idea how do deal with the woods. But the best part of the weekend? Being able to show Nannie and Papa FransTed!

When I sent this photo to Moo (insisting that I needed her on the phone and sitting down) her reaction was everything I could ever hope for. I love that you only know Nannie as the wonderful loving Nannie that you know and not the MOTHER that Moo and I dealt with.  Nannie thought that when we camped it was like an African refuge camp. She is crazy...CRAZY IN LOVE WITH YOU..as am I 

love ya kiddo

Dear Spotty Chop you were 88 months old a few weeks ago

I've missed a couple of these and I feel like a dumass. Because at some point I want you to read these. Sometimes I try a little too hard and then can’t remember anything we did or you did. So from now on even if I can’t remember the cute things you said or did for one month I am going to still publish a letter. It might just say “I love you”, but in all honesty that’s all this is for anyways.

So end of the summer for you kiddo. I feel like we did nothing. We only made it to the drive ins once! ONCE!!! We never made it back to Breezy Waterslides or Canobie Lake park. We did swim a lot. We went to Waterfire and had an EPIC light saber battle. You went to camp at the Y. Jman and Annidude were at camp as well, and you three seemed to have a fantastic time. Thank GOD!!! As you were pretty stressed out about the start of the school year. This is the first year that Jman, Annidude and you are all in separate classes. Boy Toy and I had been trying to comfort you & let you know that everything was gonna be all right. But you did not believe. On the first day of school you had a bit of a nervous breakdown. It kills me when I can’t make things better for you. Finally you said “I guess I better get dressed” and you stood up. Here comes the weird part. You had chosen a Hawaiian shirt to wear for the first day (prettiest shirt I have EVER seen), and as you put your first arm in I could visibly see you relax. By the time the shirt was buttoned you were laughing and saying that you couldn't wait to get into school. IT BLEW MY MIND. It was as if the shirt was your armor with a +75 confidence booster. You did ask if I would walk you up to your class line so I did. I saw your teacher…she is VERY pretty and she immediately came over to you to say hi and ask how your summer was. You then proceeded to forget that I existed. I went back home to work, and had a crappy day worrying about your day. I knew you would be ok, but I wanted you to be happy. When I went to pick you up at the end of the day you were bouncing you were so happy. “I’m gonna learn MORE MATH!!!” you yelled to me. More math indeed!

You let me do trot trot to Boston to you when I am sad “I know how much you love doing this and it will make you happy”. What you don’t realize  yet is that it makes me happy just hearing you laugh. But I will trot trot the HELL out of you for as long as I can.

You and your dad went to the movies the night before school to see “diary of a wimpy kid 3”. I stayed home. I HATE that series. The main character is such a little shit that my head explodes. You had a great time. You and your father seem to think that I HAVE NO IDEA that you are using bad words together…YOUR MOTHER KNOWS EVERYTHING…

Pattapon is your video game of choice lately. All 3 have been in very heavy rotation. You are also playing on the computer a LOT.  Netflix streaming is your new best friend. You are watching Di-Gata Defenders. Sci fi/fantasy (go figure). You seem to be over your Power Rangers kick.  You are HUGE, you no longer fit under my chin. Oh and you are 2 sizes away from my shoe size…it may soon be time to purchase you a pair of high tops…just sayin

I love you kiddo! And I will try to do a little better at posting…but I’ve been busy…YOU KNOW why…

Dear Spotty Chop you are 87 months old today

Today I noticed that for the first time in your life you have freckles on your nose. I had no idea how beautiful a few freckles could be!

We took part in Operation Tadpole. When Boy Toy was getting ready to start the pool he pulled the cover off and you noticed tons of tadpoles. You asked your dad what would happen to them and he replied "they will die when I put the chemicals into the pool". You were a bit upset and told him you didn't want them to die. I found a large (5-10 gallon) bucket and filled it with the swampy water. I gave you a net. Your smile could have broken hearts. You ran around the pool saving as many as you could reach. And you saved a TON! Possibly 85 or so. You were so proud and have enjoyed watching them get bigger.

That's not the only wildlife in our lives...2 days ago you and your father were swimming (around 7 pm) there had been some crazy stormy weather earlier. I was making dinner while you guys swam. When it was done I ran out to get you. The two of you were sitting on the stairs not moving. All of a sudden I saw something moving in the water near you...it was...A DUCK! She slept over and now doesn't seem to want to leave! Jman came over and I thought for sure she would leave with the 2 of you guys cannonballing and pirating....she simply swam around you. We are NOT feeding her because as much fun as it has been having her around. We do not want her to stay. We have a firm rule at our house. NO POOPING IN THE POOOL!

You have started summer camp and seem to be having a lot of fun. But you are a bit annoyed that you haven't done any archery yet. I will ask folks about it when we get back. Annadude is at camp with you and Jman will be starting camp with you when we get back from camping. I am dropping you off later and you seem to be enjoying it. I think you need the extra sleep because we are staying up FAR TOO LATE.

We went to the drive ins to see Madagascar 3. I have never seen the first two so I thought it was cute. You laughed...a lot. We also went to a birthday party at the movies and saw Brave. You said you liked it. you didn't seem to have a problem with the stadium seating (you are usually freaked out because you are "afraid of heights" but with your friends around you were ok.

The other day I can't remember exactly how you said it, but out of the blue you told me that "you are the best mom in the world." SNIIIIFFFF

You have been spending time with Nannie and Papa again, well more Nannie as Papa has been working a lot. But I think everyone is happy that they get to spend more time together. We even went down to RI to visit them on vacation. We did some shopping had some lunch and you picked blueberries.

Finally. My Favorite Brother helped us out with some furniture moving and you got to ride in the Jeep with the top down. YOU LOVED IT!. (he hasn't given me a ride in the Jeep yet...just sayin )


love ya kiddo (but use more sunscreen!)

Dear Spotty Chop you were 86 months old almost a month ago

DUDE - I have no idea what's going on. I totally forgot to post this!

You have got potty mouth/toilet humor on the brain. It really doesn’t help that your father has it too.

Holy  Carp! (my personal favorite)

mom spell I Cup

do you need any ASSistance?

I need some chocolate shit muffins

You were super sweet on Mother’s Day. You wouldn’t let me do a thing. You yelled at me every time I got off the couch. You gave me a new mama & baby turtle necklace to replace the one you lost in Kindergarten. You were SO excited to give it to me. This is the first time you kept a secret, usually you tell us what you got us as soon as you see us, but you didn’t breathe a word. You LOVE hearing about the people that notice it and that I am telling everyone you gave it to me. A migraine hit me on my birthday, and you were so good. I feel so bad when I can’t function, but you take it in stride. We played Beyblades and watched Skunk Fu. You whispered (loudly) is this your best birthday ever? I got to snuggle/nap for 2 hours with you. There is no better present.

The soccer teams were invited to walk in the Memorial Day Parade. Annadude’s family was getting ready for a trip back to India so I knew they would not be going to the parade. You wanted to walk in the parade with Annadude so we offered to take him with us, and then to his soccer game and yours and dinner so packing could happen. When I asked if you guys wanted to walk by yourselves Annadude said yes. You however said you wanted me to have fun and get to walk too. During the walk you pulled me down to you and whispered “thanks for walking with me mama”. Little dude, it is my pleasure.

I have instituted “Game Night Tuesday”. I explained to you that this wasn’t a punishment, but sometimes the 3 of us are all playing games…but alone, and I wanted us to spend more time together playing. You seem to look forward to “game night”.  Still trying to teach you that winning isn’t the only thing, but you will get it eventually.

You will still climb up on my lap to watch TV. You are really annoyed at the frogs outside your window. “Why can’t they just shut up when I am trying to sleep?” Nannie often thinks the same thing. When you take a shower you often scream for me. You want your face mask so you can swim in the tub.

Cherry’s are back in season! This makes you super happy.

You are the best kid EVER!

Kisses

Dear Spotty Chop you are 85 months old

I missed Aprils letter. I am sorry budbud. I will try and work on that.

This month has been full of Soccer. It has taken you a bit to get into the swing of things, but you are playing and trying which is all I can ask for. I love watching you…well, actually sometimes I get super frustrated at watching you. I want you to be more aggressive, and to run more…FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CHILD RUN!!!! But it takes you a bit to get warmed up, to remember that you can go after the ball and you can run fast, so I do my best to keep my mouth shut. To enjoy you enjoying yourself. Sometimes I forget, but then I remember. I guess it takes me a bit to get warmed up too.

I got to volunteer at your school for the book fair! A lot more people signed up this year so I only had to do your class. You had so much fun picking out books (and can I say no to new books?) Jman didn’t have money and seemed a little down about it, until I reminded him that his mom & dad liked to pick out books with him and that they would do that the next night at the Education Fair. I could see him perk up as he said “that’s right! I forgot!” Annadude wanted help with what he should get and then as you sat in my lap he sat down next to me so he was leaning on me and we all listened as the librarian read us a story.

The Education fair was a blast. YOU WERE SO EXCITED TO SHOW US EVERYTHING! You created a couple of board games that were a lot of fun to play. You showed us everything in your class and what your favorite things to do were. You also introduced us to your music teacher and had a blast showing us all the different instruments you have tried. I love getting a glimpse of your life apart from us. You never cease to amaze me.

You got your hair cut and you decided on how you wanted it to look . “It needs to be parted in the middle so I can push it out of my face when I play soccer. “  I don’t know what I am going to do if/when you decide you want a buzz cut…or a Mohawk or Jesus hair or……

You lucked out in that you got 2 sleepovers with Nannie and Papa. One was so dada and I could have a date night, unfortunately I was coughing so much that we decided it would be unfair to make movie goers listen to me. We did get to eat at a Mexican place that we  haven’t been to in years incorrectly assuming that they wouldn’t have anything you would eat. When we got home the new season of Game of Thrones was DVR’d so we watched 3 and then I went to bed. Your second sleep over was so that your dad and I could go to a bar and watch a band, a friend of ours has a band and we have never seen him play. We had SOOOO much fun. So much fun, that we overslept and had to race out of the house to pick you up (and get back for swimming). Papa drove you to our meetin place in his Mercedes convertible which like his truck only has 2 seats, so you get to sit up front! A huge win in your eyes. Nannie and Papa’s street was having a giant yard sale. You bought me a pocketbook (perfect for the summer) and the game of Life, which is a ton of fun…even if you still have A LOT of trouble when you are not winning. Don’t worry kiddo, we will work on it!

You were home with me on Good Friday. I thought you broke your toe. You were pretending to kick me and you kicked the doorframe. It really looked broken. You really acted like it was broken. Thank god, you just jammed it really bad. You spent the rest of the day snuggling. I was ok with that.

You spent the spring break with Nannie and Papa, me and the YMCA. You decided you wanted to go on one of the Y’s field trips so you went to see a play “the wizard of oz”. You really liked it. I really liked that you chose to do this. You dad really likes that you have the opportunity to choose these things and don’t have to wait for your girlfriend to drag you to them when you get old.

You and your dad have started a garden, you have so far planted 2 types of peas and 2 types of green beans. I can’t wait to eat them!!!

You have said some really cute things, that I haven’t written down and now can’t remember. BAD MAMA. I will try harder next time.

Kisses baby boy.

Dear Spotty Chop you are 84 months old today

Happy 7th birthday love of my life! I can’t believe how much your face has changed from last year to this. I have photos taken at Santa’s village every other year of you sitting in a cupcake seat and there is a noticeable difference. You no longer look like a child, but like a little boy. I will confess it has made me cry on more than one occasion. I couldn’t be happier that you are growing older and strong, but I do miss my baby.


You can’t wait for your birthday! You are literally jumping out of you skin. You want PokePark 2: Wonders Beyond in the worst way. You also want some new Ninjagos. Luckily this is something easily remedied.

We went to the snowflake ball where you and JMan danced the night away…well actually you battled the night away, but you guys had fun and that’s all that really matters. You didn’t find it too loud like you did last year.

Your February break was a bust, we didn’t do anything. You did get to spend the day with Nannie and Papa. Papa took you for a spin in his new (to him) red Mercedes convertible. Dada told you to just wait until the good weather comes and the top comes down. You will LOVE it! You had a new friend come over to play, not sure if we will be doing more with him he’s 1) older and 2) his family has LOTS more rules than we do. I think we horrified the mom…

You started a readathon. You are a bit uptight about it because it takes away time from playing video games. I am not sure what we are going to do about this video game junkie we have created. Any time we try to do something/anything that involves us leaving video games you pitch a fit. Me no likey! We honestly don’t care that you love to play video games. We love to play video games. The only rule we have is that your daily homework be done, (which takes no more than 5 minutes for you) and you usually have the week’s assignments done the day they have been given out and at the Y program. I can’t actually remember the last time you did your homework at home! We play board games and you still love to play Bakugan, Beyblades and Ninjago’s. It will all work out

Your swimming class this term has been really hard. The last class you were in was a combo of 2 classes and the lower class got all of the attention. You didn’t learn what you were supposed to and have really struggled this class. Although I don’t think you realize how much you lagged behind the other kids. I do know you were upset when you didn’t “move up” to the next class. Every class you have taken so far you move out of, and even skip a few levels by the end of it. Both the teacher and I (and your dad) have explained that this is the first class that “older kids” take and there is a lot more to learn and do. You are ok now, but every once in a while I can hear it in your voice that you are not happy. The teacher said that some of the kids in this current class have been in it for 3 or 4 times, so hopefully that will reassure you if you need to take it a 3rd time. If my mom offers to pay for private lessons this year…I am taking her up on it. I really want swimming to be fun for you. I want you to enjoy it both as a sport that you can do for the rest of your life (dude, swimmer bodies are the BEST! I am only trying to set you up for hotness when you get older!) and as a fool around fun thing that we will be doing for the rest of your life as we have a pool and can’t afford to go anywhere else!

You really enjoyed Valentine’s Day this year. You picked out Power Rangers valentines; you also gave bookmark/ruler thingy. You picked a valentine for each kid, and then gave a few extra to a couple of girls from your kindergarten/Y program. You loved going through the valentines and showing them to us, the “bag” you created to receive them, the candy that some of them contained, the whole thing was super sweet just like you.

You went to Favorite Uncles house with Nannie. The house is coming along and they will soon be able to move in. You liked seeing how much has changed since the last time you saw it. You said to Favorite Uncle “if you were rich, it would be great if you got door knobs, but this is good too.” My brother and Nannie could barely hold back the laughter.

In the morning you come running into the living room where I am working and jump on my lap for a quick snuggle. Best part of the day. You have been watching videos on the computer, some animal/nature thing and they make you laugh out loud. But not just laugh, belly laugh, huge booming laughter that you can’t control, laughter that almost seems fake, but we know isn’t. Dada and I always stop what we are doing and have to grin at each other. I need to get a video of you doing it, it would cheer up anyone. I started reading the A-Z mysteries to you, but I am going to have to forbid your father from joining us. The main character’s name is…Dink. This is the reason you do not have a sibling. Your father has the brain of a 3 year old.

I love you kiddo. I hope this is the best birthday yet and this year brings you joy and wonder.

Dear Spotty Chop you were 83 months old last month

Little dude, I am sorry I haven’t been a good blogger. I still have to write about Christmas for Christ’s sake (ha, see what I did there). I have been slightly addicted to playing Skyrim and Dragon’s Age. I have settled on Dragon’s age as I am SO CLOSE TO FINISHING!!!!


But that doesn’t mean you haven’t said or done anything adorable


Lego’s has come out with some horrific new girls only Lego creations. Moo and I have of course been WTFing about it. When I told you about it you didn’t understand why girls had to play with different Lego’s, your friends play with Lego’s all the time. And when I told you that they don’t work with regular Lego’s, you said that wasn’t fair.


As heard at our house:


"Respect what comes out of your butt RESPECT IT!!!" after that you called your dad a ninny and then punched him in the chest.


You and I went to see my parents. Nannie, Papa you and I all went to my Great Aunt’s to see if there was anything we wanted. She is 93, and told me the other day that she could sleep forever. Her sister died a few weeks ago, they had lived together for…well, basically 89 years. You don’t know them very well, Nannie has brought you over to them a few times, but you have far too much energy, and you make them…nervous. You aren’t doing anything wrong, they are just not used to so much…boyness.


Anyhoo, my parents take us to lunch at 3 or 4 pm because a quick trip with your parents ends up being….well, much longer than a quick trip. I am going to have to re-read this when you are in your 20’s and 30’s so I don’t do this to you! So we are at the table when you say “when my parent’s pass away I am going to get my own house and live with my friends.” I just stared at you.


Then a few mornings later when I am trying to wake you up (you had climbed into our bed at some point) and I said “and by the way, you spent all night snuggling your dad, what about me”? And you reply “Dada is older than you and he will die first so he needs to get extra snuggles now”.


Finally – and now that I think about it, this may also contribute to why I skipped writing for so long. We went sledding and I took you out. As in I was barreling down the hill, you were in the way, my brain blanked and I smacked into you. I thought I broke your neck…other parents were coming over to see if you were ok. Worst Parent ever…

Dear Spotty Chop you are 82 months old today

It’s a new Year! I hope this year brings you joy, peace, love…and video games!


This past month was crazy busy. You were a trooper throughout! I was able to go to your school and participate in the holiday shop again. You were so excited to buy things for people. You and your friends were fun to be with. I was in a car accident later that day and I was a bit of a mess when I went to pick you up from the afterschool program. I would have had Jman’s mom get you, but Jman had a doc appointment that she didn’t want to miss. I do really well during a crisis, but once the crisis is over I fall apart. You ran to your bag and said “mama, I think you need a present”. You gave me the gift you bought me at the holiday shop. Lemon Scented body glitter. God you make me laugh. I love this gift!

You have been spending a lot of time with Jman this month. Jman’s parents and I seem to be swapping picking you up. One night traffic was so bad I didn’t think I would get to you in time, another time Campbell (Jman’s mom) had a late meeting and didn’t think she would get to pick up on time. It is so nice to have a back up! Or the ability to let you play with your friends for longer. Jman had a birthday this month and you had a blast at the party. There was bowling, a cannon ball fight and an arcade. On his real birthday you went to his house after school so I could go to a cookie swap. I don’t think you left their house until after 9pm, you guys have such a blast together. Often after Jman is gone, you will sigh heavily and say “I wish we could just spend all of our time together.”

A school assignment you brought home was “I FELT LEFT OUT…”you wrote “because Jake has a sister and I don’t”. That nearly killed me. I feel really bad that you wish you had a sibling. Both dada and I explained that we were really lucky that we could have you and that another child just wasn’t going to happen. You seem to be ok with it. We then explained that you could have friends that were just as important as family, like Auntie Moo & Freak Show and Uncle B-52 and Lennon. You liked that idea.

Christmas was a blast this year. I was finally able to get you to tell me that you had asked Santa for an Lego Advent Calendar. I tried explaining that this was a gift that mama loved to give to you, but you were determined that Santa was going to bring you one so that you would have it for next year…You were very happy to see it under the tree on Christmas morning.

We also went up north for New Years. Santa’s Village had its own celebration and we had a great time enjoying an amusement park, in the dark, in the cold of winter. We stayed at the Red Jacket which boasted water slides, wave pools and…a hot tub! We had shown you a video of Eddie Murphy’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party and you did not find it funny at all. However after trying the hot tub you spent the rest of the weekend saying “it’s hot in the hot tub” and “it’s cool in the wave pool”.

I love you kid, may your hot tub stay hot

Hot Tub

Dear Spotty Chop you were 81 months old awhile ago

You have had a couple of nightmares this month. In one the world turned sideways and you were clutching the road. Then you were in your school playground and you asked your teacher if you were having a nightmare and she said yes. Then we weren’t even in our house but there were 3 gingerbread houses and I was going to give you the biggest one. Then you woke up and came out to find us.

You and I play a game “mad bull”. I get on all fours and chase after you. You try to hop on my back. Once you are on my back I whip around to get you off. It makes you giggle.

I got to go to school and eat lunch with you. There was a line to get into the cafeteria and lots of parents were already sitting down. When I got to you I could tell you were upset. Your teacher said she had just told you to put a smile on because I would be walking through the door any minute. I told you that if I say I am going to be somewhere I will ALWAYS be there. Jmans mom was dealing with a sick red and she somehow missed it. Jman is so even tempered, didn’t freak out, was very, “she must have forgot, it happens”. I told him that I would eat lunch with him too. You and he then proceeded to ignore me and play.

I went scrapbooking and you and Boy Toy came down the Cape to stay in the hotel and to swim. Unfortunately when we got there we found out the pool was closed. Fortunately they said they would give you passes to a hotel down the road and you could swim there. While I sat in a room with 80 women cutting and sticking, you guys: went swimming for hours, went bowling, went to an arcade, explored the hotel, and went for a walk on the beach. I am glad you guys came. If you had stayed home the two of you would have sat in front of the TV watching the boob tube or playing video games. The first time you came down to visit me all by yourself I told you how proud of you I was for finding your way to me. You said “mama I just follow my eyes, they know the way.”

You tried turkey this Thanksgiving and apparently like the dark meat. You also tried dinner roles and seem to love them. This is good, as the tragedy that I feared most has come to pass. You will no longer eat baloney sandwiches. You apparently no longer like bread, but will eat baloney plain, with a cheese stick. I almost had a nervous breakdown when for the 3rd day in a row you didn’t eat your sandwich. I’m like dude, all you had to do was talk to me, let me know. I just don’t want you to get hungry. I am not going to get mad because you don’t like something. But I do need you to eat.

You have had a REALLY hard time with your temper this month. So much so that I really want to…punch your father in the head with a 2x4. No a nail gun. Nono a morning star. Maybe the Washington monument? You are getting angry anytime we ask you to do anything. When I asked you what we could do to help you said “punch me”. You are also being mean and sneaky. I don’t like it. Dada thinks it is because you are not getting enough sleep. You have been waking up before 6am and not going to bed until 9pm or later. I think you are waking up so early because you want to play video games. I just told you that you will not be able to play video games or watch TV until 6:30am. If you wake up and just want to snuggle with me while I work I am good with that. We will see if that helps you stay asleep. I am purposely scheduling meetings in the early morning so that I don’t have to drop you off at the morning program and can let you sleep for an extra hour and then play and then drop you off at school and go to work. SLEEP CHILD!

Forgot to add how much in love you are with Froggy. Nannie gave you name holders for Turkey day and asked if you would put them on the table. One side of the table had 3 plates (for me your dad and you) the other side had 2 (for favorite bro and Froggy). You put the place holder for Froggy down and then you put the name holder with the name not facing outward next to her. Guess who’s name was on it? I don't know if someone spoke to you because after that you put your name on the other side of the table with Froggy between you and favorite bro. She is sooo tickled pink that you love her.



We are in the countdown toward the BIG DAY. I hope Santa is good to you.

Kisses


The mama

Dear Spotty Chop you are 80 months old today

This has been a pretty good month for you.

You had your first trick or treating experience with a friend. Boy Toy took you over to Jman’s house where you hit his neighborhood. You could have also done our neighborhood with the time left in the evening, but you decided to stay at his house to trade candy and watch TV.

You had an extra crunchy bonus movie night with Nannie and Papa when your dad and I went to a costume party. Then Nannie and Papa drove you to your swimming lesson and they got to watch you swim. They were blown away with how good you have become. They have only ever seen you fooling around in the water. They are so proud of you.

Speaking of swimming, your last session just ended and your teacher told us that she thinks you are ready to move up with the big kids. It is going to be challenging for you, but this teacher was also your last class’s teacher. You told her that your goal was to move up to the Ray class. You worked so hard she bumped you two classes, and now after working hard again she is moving you on again. I hope you realize that it’s your hard work that is getting you ahead and not just because you are beautiful.

You had a nightmare last night that zombies attacked and killed me, daddy and 3 beginner Pokemon. It was 3am and you were WIDE awake. You told me that every time you went back to sleep the zombies came back. This morning you told me that you have had this dream before. I let you know that I have several nightmares that have happened more than once. What I need to remember to tell you is that it’s not just nightmares that reoccur but sometimes there are great dreams that happen regularly too!

There were a few birthday parties this month and several play dates where you had a blast. We also had a snowball fight before bed. You are excited to have more snow in your world. There was apple picking and pumpkin carving too.

I knocked out one of your front teeth by hitting you in the face with a morning star (we take our battles seriously in this house). Luckily it was a baby tooth that has been loose for over a month. Before I did that you had said “I wonder if the tooth fairy is really real?” when I said “well what do you think kiddo” you happily answered “YES”. I hope you can keep your sense of wonder for a few more years.

You saw your first movie in a movie theater! Don’t look at me that way, you have been to the drive-ins more than I have! There never seemed to be a compelling reason to go. Up to now you have gotten really fidgety even during the drive-ins. But after the fantastic swimming upgrade and the fact that we just love you and want to see you happy, AND there was an animated film that looked worthy of our money, we hit the matinee to see Puss in Boots. You asked if we HAD to see it in 3D and we said “absolutely NOT”. So we went for the oldD version. When you walked into the theater your eyes grew to dinner plates looking at the screen. There was stadium seating which I knew would kind of freak you out as you don’t want to go “high”, but I went up a few rows and into the middle of the row where I knew you would have a great experience. At first you said “the screen is too big for my eyes!” but once you had the extra large “vat oh popcorn” , orange drink and saw a few previews you sat back and enjoyed the show. It was a decent movie, we went through 2 troths of popcorn. You said it was the best day of your life!

Unfortunately I have not been writing down the things you say. Which bums me out as there have been a few really good ones. I will try to do better next month.

Dear Spotty Chop you were 79 months old yesterday

You are now in 1st grade. Your 2 best friends sit next to you in class. You love your teacher. You were a little freaked when you were told there was homework, until we did the homework. “Mama, I knew this in kindergarten.” You went on a field trip that I couldn’t attend. It was to the tidal flats down the Cape. You had a blast. You got to feed fish at the hatchery, eat lunch at the coast guard station and run around in the mud and water. You told us the day was “perfect…well it would have been more perfect if you went.” Amen son, hopefully next field trip we will get more than a 2 day notice (thanks Irene).

You and your dad were talking and you said “I am a miniature you dada. We are alike in every way. We like the same things, we have the same DNA. When you were a kid you loved to play video games just like me…” at this point Boy Toy interrupted you and said “bud, we didn’t have video games when I was a kid, in fact we only had 6 TV stations, and cartoons were only played on Saturday’s in the morning.” You looked at your dad with sad eyes, put your arm around him and said “I am sorry you had such a bad childhood, why don’t we sit down and play a video game together?

Your days with Papa are over again for a few months. Looking back you guys sure did a lot this summer: Aquarium, Science Museum, Hammond Castle, several beach trips, several kayak trips, I think I am missing some stuff. Papa and you also ran races, had battles, ran through the sprinklers. Set up a cemetery (for the mouse and chipmunk) you even found appropriate head stones for their resting places. I hope you can remember all the fun you have with Nannie and Papa, I don’t remember specifics with my grandparents. But then again we didn’t spend 1 day a week with them going on adventures.

We have had multiple play dates with JMan and Crazy Boy, I still need to reach out to Anadude’s mom and try and hook you two up. It’s super fun not having to travel 40 minutes for a play date! We went camping, apple picking and survived a hurricane. It was a busy month.

One of your adult front teeth has come in, the two front baby teeth are loose as all heck, but still attached to your head. You look adorable. I had to buy you new pants as you have grown like a weed! You still will not eat grapes, carrots, blueberries or green beans and Cherries are out of season. Dude I have no idea what you are going to do when you get sick of baloney…You are talking more on the phone and the people you talk to seem to enjoy this new side of you.

Of course no one enjoys you more than me. You rock my favorite son!

Dear Spotty Chop you were 78 months old several days to a few weeks ago

You have grown a bit; all of your pants seem to end at your calves.

J Man was finally at camp and the two of you have been adventuring like crazy.

You were a real trooper when I had to hit the hospital and was out of commission for a few days (more like 3 weeks of crazy). You never complained when I couldn’t do the things we usually do, and you and dada managed not to kill each other, so thanks!

You are Papa’s best bud. You only want to play with him and have adventures. Nannie says she doesn’t mind…but I think she may be a little grumpy about it. You work Papa so hard that he usually needs to take a nap before you leave. You two had some amazing adventures this summer. Aquarium, Science Museum, multiple kayaking trips, Hammond Castle , trips to the beach, drawing of maps, playing in sprinklers, playing hide and seek and other crazy chasing games. You keep Papa young.

You will not eat grapes, blueberries, green beans, or carrots. The only 3 foods you have always turned to whenever you are hungry. You are eating cherries, which is grand, but the season is ending and dude, you got to find some other fruits and veggies.

One of my cousins got married and we all went to the wedding. You made my heart stop when at one point during the night you walked over to me held out your hand and said “mama will you dance with me?” Multiple people came up to me to tell me that they were


1.) Jealous that their sons didn’t ask them to dance

2) Amazed that you had to courage to dance in front of everyone. May this last your entire lifetime!

I am truly one lucky mama.


We had a pretty decent hurricane, Irene. We had no power for close to a week, and had to cancel a camping trip, but we did end up going to the Cape with Nannie, Papa, Favorite Brother and Froggy. The Cape had no power either, but there was plenty of sun at the beach. You are besotted with Froggy. You told me that you had a double crush on her because “she is so beautiful and nice, who wouldn’t have a crush on her?” You are the sweetest thing ever!

I know you did plenty of cute things, and had very amusing and insightful things to say, but this past month blew lemon scented chunks for me. Hopefully next month will be better.

The end of the summer is a bummer unless you have your 2 best friends in your class, then you can’t wait for the summer to end so you can go back to school and see them EVERY DAY!