Dear Etrain

You always love the bonfires because it means you get to eat lots of chips. 

These photos don't show much, but you and your buddy playing on some stairs. But I posted these because they remind me of your first time seeing a movie in the movie theater. You can still hardly watch any movies without being scared, but you have seen some of the Toy Story movies. So when Toy Story 4 came out I thought it might be a good time to try seeing a movie in the theater. Plus your buddy wanted to go. You two were both a little antsy with having to sit still for so long, but you seemed to like it well enough. 

Our neighborhood held it's annual 4th of July breakfast and parade. We enjoyed doughnuts, chatter, and had fun following the firetruck through our neighborhood. It's really very cool. Later we partied on our street with our neighbors, then lit some fireworks when it got dark. 

You and I also took full advantage of our pool this summer...and you have become quite the swimmer. You can freestyle the length of the pool and dive to the bottom. I love how confident you are in the water. 

This is where things get a little sad. Grandma North hasn't been super healthy for quite a while. While she was on a trip with Grandpa in Utah, she fell and had to go to the hospital. She wasn't doing well and she and Grandpa asked that we come out to see her. We booked travel that night for the next morning; flew to Las Vegas then drove to the hospital in Utah. 

We tried to make the trip fun for you, but really we were going to say goodbye to Grandma. You two got to talk and give each other big hugs. You didn't realize it would be the last time you saw her, but it really nice that you got that time with her. And me too. You and I stayed one night then went home the next day while Dada stayed. 

When we drove back to Las Vegas we had some time before our flight so I drove you down the strip, which you weren't too impressed with. But then I took you to the New York New York Hotel and we found an arcade. You talked about that time in the arcade for weeks after that. I'm glad we were able to make things fun for you since it was such a somber trip. 

Since Grandma passed away, you have brought it up to lots of people. Plenty of people we know and sometimes strangers we have met while out. You tell them that your Grandma went to heaven. I've asked you if you are sad and you say yes, but I haven't seen you cry. I'm not sure if you completely understand her death, but you seem to be dealing with it well in your own way. I know she loved you so much. I'm pretty sure you were her favorite grandson. ;) She loved sending you gifts, giving you hugs, reading your notes, seeing your pictures...and of course spending time with you. I'm sure it meant a lot that you came out to see her before she died and I'm so glad you two got to share one last big hug. Some sweet photos of you and Grandma are here, here, and here. 

You and I had a free day with you plans so I decided to do something different. We hopped on the bus and went to the fair! I've ridden a bus while on vacation plenty of times, but I don't think I had ever ridden a bus near home. Anyway, I heard that there was one that left right near our house and went directly to the OC Fairgrounds. I figured we'd make an adventure out of it. You loved riding all the rides and even won a basketball playing one of the games. It was nice doing something a little spontaneous and different with you. You're a wonderful adventure buddy. 

This is the day you crushed freestyle swim and moved up a level. Backstroke here we come!

Your school offers class year round, so you have been going to school in the summer, but I had to get a photo officially documenting you moving up a "grade" in preschool. You are now a pre-kindergartner, or a Dolphin, as they call it at your school. We were sad to say goodbye to Ms. Jordan, but you are liking class with Mrs. Deana. You even told me how much you like your class and teacher, and you aren't nervous anymore. Yay!

At least once a summer we like to switch up our usual beach day and take a ride on the trolley to go get lunch. You and Isaiah always have a good time on the trolley and like sitting like big boys in your own row. 

We took a fun trip up to Northern California toward the end of summer and got to see Grammy's house! For more about that vacation, read here. 

You love to write notes. You also love to receive mail. We told you if you want to receive more mail maybe you should write notes to people and we'll mail it to them and ask them to write back. So you and Grandpa have become pen pals. This was one of the notes you made for him after he sent you a note with a bunch of photos. 

So right after we got back from our Northern California vacation, Dada had a camping trip planned for the boys. Grandpa was invited too and was going to bring the RV. Well, when the day came and Grandpa was late in showing up to meet you, Dada got worried. Turns out Grandpa had a really bad fall and he ended up in the hospital. For weeks Dada was going to visit him every day, and you and I went out a few times too. You enjoyed getting to do the ATVs, golf cart, etc while we were at Grandpa's house helping take care of it. One time I got a flat tire on the way out there, but it all worked out. Grandpa is still in the hospital, but doing way better than when he first got there. He hopes to go home soon. 

This is just some of your school work that I didn't want to forget. 

Here we took you to your first Angels night game. None of us really love baseball, but like the experience of going to an occasional game. We showed up late on purpose because we knew we wanted to stay after for fireworks and the concert. The fireworks were awesome, but there was a big break before the concert and that's when we started to get tired. The concert was a bit of a let down, but you were a trooper. Regardless it was another fun adventure. 

I know I say this all the time, but you are just the coolest little kid. Your stutter came back for a bit, but you also seem more confident and grown up. You're still shy with grown ups, but I don't totally mind that. 

You are a rock star with sight words. I randomly decided to make you some flash cards and you just embraced it. We leave them on the kitchen table, and on your own you ask do work on your sight words. You know at least 60 words now, and can read some of the BOB books our neighbors gave us. 

Speaking of the neighbors, you LOVE playing with them. I mean, you love playing with just about anyone who will play with you. You are super social. We've tried to bond with the new kids up the street. One is a 5 year old girl named Haley. She asked you if you liked her, and you told her no, but you liked her brother. Fortunately, I don't think Haley was super crushed. I asked you later why you said you didn't like her, and you told me it was because she was a girl. But then I reminded you of all your girl friends. You then said with a big sigh "geez mom. It's just new." Ha. You are so cute. 

You have been suuuuper affectionate lately and I'm loving every minute. I'm getting so many hugs and kisses and it's amazing. I love the ones I get out of nowhere. Keep it up! You've also been a great helper. You like to help me put together my smoothies in the mornings. While it might slow me down or be a little more messy, I enjoy your company and love your excitement in wanting to help. It makes an otherwise boring task more enjoyable with my sweet boy by my side. 

You are so good at games these days. No so great at losing, but awesome at playing. Sometimes I forget I'm playing a 4 year old. You're excellent at Connect 4. You like to play Nana and Papa because you can easily beat them. It's tougher to beat dad and I, but you are still a challenging opponent. You're also still really into video games. Nana and Papa have taken you to Chuck-E-Cheese a couple times and it's all we hear about. In fact, you told me the other day "Mom, when I'm a parent I can go to Chuck-E-Cheese and play whatever game I want. If it's a bad guy game...I'm OK with it." 

I just enjoy spending time with you so much, sweet boy. Four really is a fun age. I love seeing how you are growing and maturing and becoming your own person. You are easier to travel with. You can do so much on your own now (I love that you like to dress yourself in the mornings!) which makes things nice for me. You have the best personality and you are my little buddy. I love that you can mellow out and chill with me while watching one of my dance shows, but also love to run, play and be super duper silly. You have a great sense of humor. I just love you to pieces. 

Love you baby boo, 

Mama