Happy 10th Birthday, Alden!

 Alden, my sweet middlest, you are TEN! 

It's been a super busy time since your birthday, and really just a very full October in general, so this letter is coming about a week and a half late. But better late than never.

You celebrated your birthday a couple weekends ago with an epic Nerf battle at home with a few friends from school. We had some of the boys spend the night, which was fun, but I'm not in a big hurry to do that again. ;) On your actual birthday, you requested to go out to Culver's.

You skied again last winter and totally rocked it. You earned your black sticker so you could go on all the runs, and you're excited to hopefully try the terrain park this winter. Always my daring boy.

You played basketball last winter, soccer and baseball in the spring/summer, and soccer again this fall. You don't like to leave the house when it's time for practices and games, but you really love them all once you're out there doing it. It has been so fun to watch you try all these new sports. You seem to have a natural athletic ability and talent for just about any sport you try, and it's such a joy to me to watch you do something you enjoy.

This past year has been full of many adventures. Last November, we spend Thanksgiving weekend in St. Louis to ride the Polar Express. We visited the City Museum again, and you have asked multiple times if we can go again. I think St. Louis is your favorite place.

For spring break, we visited Shenandoah National Park (VA) and New River Gorge National Park (WV). We did a lot of hiking, which isn't always your favorite thing, but you really enjoyed the waterfalls we found. We also went horseback riding.

Over the summer, you went to Lake Ann Camp for the first time. You were very nervous to be away from home for six days, but you really loved it. 

You're a kid who prefers to stay at home, but when we go places, you do enjoy yourself. You especially love if you can climb, swim, and catch critters like frogs and snakes. Skipping rocks is one of your favorite things to do whenever we're near water, and you're really good at it.

A few months ago, you asked Pete, our friend and small group leader, if he would baptize you. After talking with you about what it means, Pete determined you knew what it meant and you were ready. You have a heart for Jesus and I am full of pride knowing that you are so firm in your faith. On September 22, you were baptized in Lake Michigan, along with a few others from our small group (including me!). I know Dad was rejoicing with the rest of Heaven that day.

You're in fourth grade now, and although school isn't your favorite thing (because, remember, you always prefer to just stay home), you are doing well. You have some great friends and you're kicking butt academically.

You have this tough-guy attitude sometimes, but really, you're pretty sensitive. You're still processing things like Dad's death in your own way, and therapy is helping, but we still have a lot of hard moments. We're getting through them though and finding fun and joy and peace as much as we can. 

It's been quite an adventure-filled year, and I have loved watching you grow through it all. You are forever my favorite middlest and I am so lucky to be your mom and to have spent the last decade loving you. 

Happy Birthday (a bit late). I love you!

Love, Mom

Alden is 9!

 Dear Alden,

Last week, you turned nine! It's taken me some time to write your letter because we were not home for your birthday - we were at Disney World! On your actual birthday, we spent the day at Animal Kingdom. We went on an animal safari, did a few rides, had a yummy lunch at Yak & Yeti, and a fun character dinner at Tusker House where we met Mickey, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy in their safari gear. It was a pretty epic way to spend your birthday.

You are in third grade and doing very well in all aspects of school. You still have moments occasionally where you struggle with anxiousness or frustration, but overall you have matured a lot in the last year when it comes to school. You are a great reader. You read every night before bed and currently really into Diary of a Wimpy Kid. You are also especially good at math, even though you say you don't like it.

Last year, just a couple of weeks after your birthday, Dad died. It's been a hard year for all of us - we miss him so much and we're still trying to figure out life without him. You carry your grief quietly most of the time; mostly you share it with me and your therapist. You like to talk about Dad fairly often: what he would be doing right now, how you wish he were here and what you would like to do with him. You struggle a lot that you didn't get enough time with him and some jealousy that Leland had more time. You're right, nearly 8 years wasn't enough. We talk about memories with him and enjoy looking at pictures. You like when I randomly remember something he used to do or say, or when I find a picture of him with you that you haven't seen before.

The last year has been full of adventures. Last spring break, we went to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Uncle Jon and Aunt Danielle came with us. We hiked, took a train ride through the park, and played at a trampoline park.

In June, we took an epic two week road trip. We made stops in St. Louis, Hot Springs, and Indianapolis on the way there and back. But the reason for the trip was to visit the Kiblers, a family I used to babysit for when I was in college. We had a blast on that trip! You discovered then that you love sting rays. They're your favorite animal now. You also say Texas is your favorite vacation ever.

You played soccer this fall. The last time you tried soccer, you weren't quite ready for an organized sport, but you are loving it now and doing really well. You team, "The Destroyers" has been undefeated so far, and you have one more game this weekend.

You like to ride your hoverboard, ride your bike, play soccer and basketball, CLIMB absolutely everything, play four square at school, play video games, and build forts.

Your favorite foods are candy and junk food. Ha ha. You also like crunchy tacos and salted caramel ice cream. Not together. Well, you might actually like them together, but I haven't seen you try that yet.

Every single day, you fight me about brushing your teeth. You forget to flush the toilet every time you go. You break a lot of things on accident. You are one of the messiest people I've ever met - your spot in the car is always full of junk that I have to remind you multiple times to clean up, and your bed is full of about seven blankets and 15 stuffed animals. You love the cats a little too much and it gets very irritating that you can never leave them alone. All of these things drive me bonkers, but you are also one of the most empathetic people I know. You care and worry about others, and you enjoy helping people. Your moments of frustration are usually caused by anxiety, which is something others don't always see. But I know that beneath your seemingly tough exterior, you're a sensitive kid.

Alden, you are such a gift. I am so thankful you're mine. Happy Birthday, my favorite middlest!

Alden is Seven!

 Dear Alden, 

Today, you are seven years old! It's a weird year, with COVID-19 and so a birthday party isn't really the best idea. But we are still excited to celebrate you in a very a special way.

This year has been a tough one for many people, and as much as I try to shield you from all the sad, scary things, you have had your share of heaviness as well. Your kindergarten year ended weirdly; schools shut down in mid-March, and we did some virtual learning until June. You did really well with learning at home, but you missed your friends and Mr. Hood. Now, you're in first grade in Ms. Dodge's class, whom you adore. Unfortunately, she is taking a leave of absence, and you definitely miss her.

Also, during the school shut down, Grandpa Duck passed away. You, Leland, and Olivia have really missed seeing him across the backyard and visiting him on our bike rides. It's been an emotional few months for you.

But despite all the heavy, we have still managed to find so much joy. You love to play outside, especially riding your bike. In the summer, you could live at the beach. This past summer was filled with beach days, bike rides, hikes, and all kinds of new adventures. We visited the UP in July, and you say your favorite part was biking around Mackinac Island.

In the winter, you would spend every day skiing if you could. Last winter, you and Leland took skiing lessons at Crystal Mountain. You both advanced pretty quickly in the program, and are looking forward to another season on the slopes this winter.  

You have the best smile and contagious laugh. You love to make others laugh and you love to be tickled. You still give the biggest, most comforting hugs; you’ve always been a great hugger. While some may see a tough exterior, you really are a sensitive kid. You care deeply about your people - your siblings, grandparents, Dad and me, teachers, and friends. 

These days. you are interested in Minecraft, even though you've probably only played it a couple of times. You and Leland both chose to be Minecraft characters for Halloween. You like to play with Legos and are getting more and more creative with your buildings. You like to play board games, but your favorite pastime, I think, is cuddling. 

For the first 6-8 weeks of your life, you ate every hour. It was absolutely exhausting, but I knew you'd grow out of that eventually. Well, at seven years old, you ask to eat about that often. Your favorite food is still macaroni and cheese, and you still don't like pizza (what in the world?!). You love any kind of sweet treat, and fruit snacks are gold! You like gummy bears in your ice cream. You also still really like Altoid mints. 

You don't like to make decisions. Having too many options makes you anxious, and you often have a hard time deciding what you want to eat from restaurants, or how you would like to spend the day when you have the choice. Honestly, you're a little like me in that way. 

You're a super reader and have a great mind for math. Your current favorite books are Elephant & Piggie and Fly Guy. You also love to look at toy catalogs and the LEGO magazine.

Alden, I am so glad I get to call you mine. You bring me joy every single day. I love you so much, my sweet middlest.

Love, Mom

Big Boy, Big Changes

As if I wasn't already aware of how big my baby is getting, this weekend has forced me to see how fast Alden is growing up.

Example 1:

Over Christmas break, we tried to get rid of the pacifier. He only uses it when he's sleeping or sick, but we figured he was old enough and it was time to be done with it. Usually, when we make any big change like that, we try to do it over an extended break (Christmas, spring break, Thanksgiving, summer) so that it doesn't affect their daycare/school routine.

Well, it didn't work. He wasn't ready. But last week, he went to bed one night without asking for it, so I thought we'd go with it and be done. We were paci-free!

Example 2:

A few weeks ago, he started climbing out of his bed. He was pretty good at it and never fell or got hurt, but I wasn't comfortable with him doing it. Also, sometimes he would get out to get something (water, pacifier, toy), but then couldn't get back in so it was disrupting his sleep (and mine) quite a bit. So this weekend, Dave made his bed into a toddler bed. 

Eventually, when we have another baby, Alden and Leland will probably have bunk beds, but for now they'll continue with separate bedrooms.

Alden wasn't sure what to think about his big boy bed at first. He liked it, but then at bed time asked for us to put the "ladder" (rail) back. He slept well the first night. The second day for nap and then at bed time, he had a rough time, so we gave him his pacifier back. The bed is a huge change, and he was sick this weekend, so...baby steps. I'm certain he won't go to kindergarten with it, and it's not hurting his speech or anything, so I'm okay with it for now. (And we can now cross off example 1 above.)

Example 3:

And finally, we put the high chair away. For the last couple of months, Alden hasn't been using it anyway. Leland usually asks to sit in it (because he wants to be a baby again), but it was time to put it away. At least until another baby needs it. In the meantime, we have two big boys who sit at the table as such.

I love watching my boys grow up and each new stage of development is an adventure. But it's still hard to see them grow up so fast. I miss them being so tiny. Thankfully, they're both mama's boys, so I still get all the snuggles I want.

In fact, here's an adorable conversation with Alden from yesterday when we were rocking before nap:

Alden: I wuff you.

Me: I love you, too.

Alden: A hugga? (hug)

(We hug.)

Alden: A kiss?

(We kiss.)

Alden: I go night-night now.

Sweet baby. No matter how big he gets, he'll always be my baby.

Halloween Costumes 2015

I finally finished the boys' costumes this weekend. I will probably put up a "how to" post sometime soon in case it would be helpful to anyone else out there. But for now, I'll just share some pictures of the cutest bulldozer and backhoe loader operators you've ever seen.

Leland has been so excited about his backhoe loader costume. He would wear it all day, every day if I would let him.

Alden also loves his bulldozer costume, but he wasn't as cooperative for pictures.

See? Running away from me.

Since Alden wouldn't participate for a picture with his brother, I decided to try to get a picture of just the costumes. Leland insisted on being in it because he didn't want to leave his loader for one second.

I am so relieved to have the costumes done and I cannot wait for trick-or-treating on Saturday! Happy Halloween, friends!

Fall-ish Pictures

A couple of weeks ago, I took the boys to a nearby covered bridge to get some fall photos. Unfortunately, the leaves were still green so I didn't get the fall colors I was hoping for, but I knew we wouldn't have time this last weekend with Alden's birthday and I didn't think we'd have any leaves left by this weekend. So green leaves, but they still turned out nice, I think.

Note: We are finally in the stage where Leland will happily oblige to have his picture taken, but his smile doesn't look genuine. And Alden smiles constantly but is never looking my direction. So pictures of these two still take some work. I took about 200 pictures and ended up with a couple of keepers.

See...fake smile, but GOSH! He's still so handsome.

Cheeeeese!

I love this one, but I wish Leland's face wasn't covered.

We found a caterpillar!

Another car pulled up to get pictures so the boys were distracted. I still love this one though. Leland's pose is on point.

They had fun running back and forth across the bridge a gazillion times. And there is a bell to ring as well, so of course they had fun with that. Leland has asked if we can go back. I'm sure we'll be back at some point. Such a pretty place for pictures. Also, the property that it's on is for sale. I want to buy it! Now to just stumble upon gobs of money to afford it.