Dear Walter,
You have grown 4 inches this year according to the Dr. Imperceptible to me. What I have seen is the list of sight words you know without batting an eye. How you notice things everywhere after they have been pointed out to you. Things like columns on buildings, you see them everywhere now. You have storehouse of songs you recognize and sing along with on the radio. I will never tire of hearing you sing about Jesus. Most recently, you love the "Lalala song" and "Those were the Days" by Sythian. I half wonder whether it is a good thing that you and your sister have nearly memorized 2 songs about a Tavern, but you sing with such passion and gusto I can't help myself. I love to see you slip and slide to the W's in kitchen. The wealth of knowledge you have learned from watching the Octonauts is staggering. I love that you love quality shows and learn so much from them. And then are happy to pass on the information you have learned to whomever you choose to share it with.
You always leave me guessing as to who you will be conversational with. You will open up to veritable strangers checking out groceries or admitting us to a museum but will play coy with a friend or relative. It is no doubt to me though that people who know you love you and think you are an awesome kid.
I love you because you have helped me worry less about your well being by finally beginning to try new things. It has been a year of struggle and pleading but those rare occasions where you said, "Ok I will try it" are like shining bright spots. Apples, pears, chicken, pasta, chipsteak, chocolate banana smoothies all new foods for you; foods I can count on you to eat. I am proud of you for trying. And I will gladly accept carrots dipped in a Nutella as an option if it gets the carrots to your belly.
I love how excited you get about things, saying, "Yahoo." I never tire of your ability to entertain yourself. Lego creations, Octonauts, Paw Patrol, pinecone collection, books about trains, computer games, elaborate train layouts, these are your things, your interests. Things that make you - Walter. You love your sister and your friends. The bond you have with your sister is truly the sweetest thing in my life. To see you two sit together and watch a show, have a tea party, play in the pink kitchen, sit side by side in the sandbox, talk to one another in the early morning - parents can't ask for much more than for their children to love one another and get along as well as you both do. May it always be so.
There are many days I feel like I blow it with you, days when I feel really bad for the way I said something or did something. You are perpetually forgiving. Your sweet hugs and bright blue eyes looking into mine always reveal great love and forgiveness.
You are the most interesting and interested boy - I love that you are my interesting and interested boy.
Dear Rosie,
You have gone from a nursing "baby" to a "I wanna have a 'pink birthday" girl this year. It hardly seems possible that in a few months you will be 3. You are pure energy and words. The words that come out of your mouth and your conversations with others or with your toys is always such a wonder to me because you are still this small, wiry, petite thing but you can talk like the rest of us.
It puzzles me that there are actually words you can't say correctly like "fruck" instead of truck and "fineapple" instead of pineapple. So cute though.
What I love about being your mom is that you, sweet Rosie, you know who you are! "Hi fish/squirrel/duck/baby its me Rosie." The reddish curls that frame that sweet creamy face also frame your impish grins and your stubbornness. That is Rosie sweet and beautiful but stubborn and independent. You are a cautious climber. You hate stinkbugs and love dandelion puffs. You are a meat eater. I can't get you to try a piece of fruit for the life me. You like to "do schoolwork." And in a few months, I may be able to stop cringing every time you get a paintbrush in your hand.
I love that love books, that you want to help, that you recognize the people who are your friends and will randomly say, "He is a good friend." You care enough to say "I am going to miss ______" fill in the blank because you will miss a long list of people and things.
I love that you sing and dance. You make up your own songs and you always want to end the day with song like Jesus Loves Me, Twinkle Twinkle. I would love to put a bow or a ponytail in your hair but I kind of love that you have no desire for that. You know you want your hair to be free. I love that I can count on you to remind us to say grace, you fold your hands and "praise the Lord" sincerity. Very recently, you want me to "pray more" -more than just praising God for food- and you will shake your head in agreement as I list off other things to pray for. I hope that you will let that desire sink deep into your soul and that prayer will always be a way of life for you.
I love they way you call your brother "Walder." As I told Walter the relationship you have with your brother is a priceless treasure. Seeing you care for one another and sharing or trying to learn to share is the best thing in the world. I love you two because I see the way you love each other and it blesses me beyond words. You are brother and sister but you are friends too.
I love you and everyday I want to love you more.
Mommy
2014 Mother's Day Letter
2013 Mother's Day Letter
