Dear Etrain,
Just look at the photo above. Could you be any cuter?! But also, look at those pants. You have definitely grown. My boy is getting so big. Sometimes I see these photos of you and think you look older than you are. Can we slow it down a little, please?
Anyway, We had a pretty exciting month. Let's start off with our pumpkins. Last month I mentioned we planted some pumpkins (and watermelons) with the hopes of having pumpkins for Halloween. Well they really did well and grew very quickly. We were good about watering them everyday, but as you can see in the last photo the leaves started to turn. We fertilized, we modified our watering, but no matter what we tried we couldn't bring them back. The leaves started to dry up, and honestly we just gave up. Maybe we can try to grow something else in the spring.
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| August 16. |
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| August 25. We have flowers! |
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| September 1. More flowers, but the leaves are turning yellow. |
You had a couple birthday parties this past month. Your buddy Mason had a super hero party in the park. The pinata, pizza and cake were a big hit with you. You also met some boys who also brought their scooters to the park and you kids rode around for a long while, even after the party ended. The second party was for your other buddy, Ethan (yes, another Ethan). His had a bounce house, complete with a basketball hoop and that's all you needed. You love that type of bounce house and have told us several times (even before Ethan's party) that's what you want for your birthday.
Maybe it's the warm days, maybe it's just because your interests have changed, but you've been asking to play outside much more. Now that I think about it, we haven't really played basketball, volleyball or much of our usual indoor sports much lately. You really like your remote control ATV, and you've actually gotten pretty good at it. Same with your scooter. You zip around on that thing now.
You also like playing with your tractor in the backyard, although that one has gotten you in trouble. Well, lots of your toys get you in trouble when you're in the backyard...because the dog is back there. You love to chase her or block her with your toys and Dada and I don't like it. You're not being physically mean and I don't think you have mean intentions, you just want to play with her. But she doesn't play the way you want her to and she just ends up scared and trying to get away from you. We've had talks, we've taken away toys, I've yelled - no matter what you seem to keep doing it. Hopefully one day it will sink in. I just don't want you to be mean to animals, and I really don't want you to think all animals, especially dogs are as nice and calm as Ginger, because some dogs who are scared will attack and bite.
In the photos below, I'm pretty sure you were "helping" dad with yard work in the top photo. In the next one I'm not sure, but we were probably out there so you could drive your ATV or something.
Can you tell it was time for a haircut? You really seem to like Frances, so we still go to her. She lets you watch monster truck videos on her phone (she's got the wifi connection), and she does a great job on your hair. This time we went really short with your hair, and I have to say I really like the cut. Although I'm a little sad when I go to run my fingers through the hair on the back of your head and it's not there.
You've been asking for a bike for a while now. I think you want a bike with training wheels, but I've heard good things about balance bikes. There are no pedals so you use your feet to get you going. The idea is that eventually you pick up your feet and glide around once you've gotten some speed going. And once you're gliding around that means you also have mastered balance, so when you get a bike with pedals, balance isn't an issue. This day was your first day on a balance bike (we borrowed one from a friend). You started off great, but then were getting discouraged because you couldn't go fast like on your scooter...and you almost toppled over a couple times. I think you didn't want to fall, and sort of gave up on it. We'll see how this goes.
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| Being silly with Dada at breakfast. |
It's time for Dada to get a new car, so we've been dragging you to different dealerships to test drive cars. You really liked this bear in a car seat at one of the dealerships.
One of Dada's old friends had a pool party and all the kids we invited. You and Dada swam in the pool with the other kids...it was way too cold for me. But later in the evening you kids put on a little parade for us. You were all so proud of it. I think you just liked riding all the different toys.
Your soccer classes run for six weeks at a time. This was the last day of your most recent round of soccer. It was pretty cute seeing all you kids pose with your coaches.
You had been asking to go to Grandma and Grandpa's to ride the ATV, so we had been waiting for a day when it wasn't scorching hot. This day was hot, but not scorching. You and Dada took a ride on the ATV. After a ride through the dirt you guys headed out into the neighborhood and Grandpa and I followed behind you on the golf cart. Later you boys all went into the pool. I think you liked the slide except that it was a tad "fast" for you. You've never really liked "fast slides" so I guess that makes sense.
Your school goes year round, so it's hard to say when your "first day" of school is. Lots of parents have been posting photos of their kids first day, so it's that time of year. You also had new students join your class, but more importantly, you moved to a new class. You actually moved last month. The school wanted the existing students to get comfortable with their new teachers before the new students came to class as well. You've been doing great in your new class, and I LOVE your new teacher.
School may have started for lots of kids, but the weather is still great for the beach. We had another play date with Isaiah at our usual beach. We also met up with some of Dada's friends again for another bonfire.
I was an only child and spent plenty of time playing by myself. I will say that I felt lonely sometimes, but I was also really shy and therefore didn't have a ton of friends. You are going to be an only child, son, but so far you don't seem very shy. Maybe a bit shy when attention of a big group is on you (like when we sing Happy Birthday to you or something), but you go up to other kids very easily, and that makes me soooo happy. BUT, just because you'll have plenty of friends, doesn't mean you'll be around them all the time.
I learned to play by myself, and I feel that is very important skill for you to learn as well. Honestly, I think all kids should learn to entertain themselves...without the use of electronics. Arts and crafts, music, sports, reading and writing, whatever your thing is, I think it's important to learn to be with yourself and enjoy time by yourself. You are going to the the only constant in your life so why not get to know yourself and enjoy being with yourself. Also, learn how to overcome boredom...in a healthy way. Be creative, use your imagination, be physical, or eventually when you're older...learn how to relax, or meditate. Of course it's also very important to learn to be with others, develop relationships, etc., but you can't rely on other people for your happiness or entertainment.
Anyway, deep thoughts from mom only to explain why I took this video of you. Plus, you were just so darn cute. I love seeing your imagination grow, and watching how you create little interactions with your trucks and cars, giving them personalities and roles. I'm proud of you that you're getting better at playing by yourself (don't worry, Dada and I play with you a TON, you get plenty of play dates, we stay after school everyday so you can play with your friends...you are a social kid), and don't need us to entertain you every second. We're trying to teach you some life lessons, and honestly just enjoy the break every once in a while too.
I actually don't really remember what was going on here. It was probably time to get you up from nap. Who knows if you actually slept, but you sure were in a silly mood when I went in to get you.
The last exciting thing that happened this week was you moved up a level in swim class! You are now a Starfish IV. This means you got your side to side breathing down well enough to move up and start working on strokes too. I'm so proud of my little fish.
You are still the coolest little dude, my son. We're still watching World of Dance and you are still asking me to put on fast songs so you can show me your dance moves.
You still love to play games are are still really into Uno, which you play very well. Sometimes I forget I'm playing a three year old...but then you lay your cards down for everyone to see because you can't hold them all. You still love to be silly. When I ask you to take photos, you're good at giving me at least one smile (usually the fake one, but I'll take what I can get), but then you can't help but do silly faces afterward. It can be tough when you decide to be silly while we're trying to get you ready for bed, but otherwise I love your full loving heart.
Keep being you baby boy. You're amazing.
Love,
Mama
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