Marleigh is 5!

Miss Marleigh-

Five years have passed so quickly!  You are growing up into a beautiful little girl, and Daddy and I couldn't be more proud of you!

The last several months you have blossomed.  Our shy little girl has gained confidence and you will now engage almost anyone in conversation.  You still like to have us close by, but we are for sure gaining ground!

Starting dance this past fall has helped your coordination and confidence as well.  You really enjoy going to dance every week, and love that you get to pick out dance outfits.  Rebecca always finds some cute way to do your hair on dance days.  You are always eager to show your dance moves to anyone who will watch.  We are so proud of you!

Stepping Stones Preschool has been so amazing!  You really like to learn and seem to pick up on things so quickly.  Daddy and I can no longer spell around you, because you have started sounding out words.  I can't believe that Pre-K is half way over and you will be off to Kindergarten next year!

You still wow us with some of the things that you say.  Your vocabulary and thought process seems to be so mature for your age.  Just the other day, we were talking about Kade's shoes.  You had mentioned that his shoes were blue and white, and had velcro.  You then paused, turned to me, and said, "Speaking of which, Mom, when is Kade going to get shoes that have shoelaces and tie?"

I know I mention it every time, but I love your compassionate heart.  Your brother had some sort of allergic reaction a couple of times last week.  The night of your birthday, we were saying your bed time prayers, and you said, "God, please don't let my brother get anymore red spots.  I don't want him to have to go to the doctor."  You were also concerned that he had to get his checkup yesterday.  You inquired as to whether he was going to have to get shots.  Because if he did, you might need to go with him to take care of him.

Marleigh, you are an incredible big sister!  Kade can be a bit pesky, as all little brothers can, but you generally are so patient and kind with him.  You play very well with him, and are always willing to help him if he needs it.

I never would have dreamed that you would be such a girlie girl, but you are, and I love it.  You adore anything that sparkles or is pink.  You would wear a dress every day if I would let you.  At the age of 5, you already have a much better sense of fashion than I do.  Sometimes, you will critique what I'm wearing and tell me to go get a different pair of shoes.  Just last week, you were picking out finger nail polish, and grabbed some and said, "Mom!  This would look great on you!  You have to buy it!!!"  I haven't worn fingernail polish in over 20 years, but I saw the joy in your face.  We painted my nails that night, and I admit, I got many compliments on them!

Marleigh, you have taught me so much in your 5 short years of life and brought so much joy to our family.  I am blown away by all that you have accomplished already.  We love you so much!

Love-
Mom

Birthday questions!

Little Miss Marleigh turned the big 5 yesterday!  I'll get her blog post soon, but decided to start a new tradition of asking her the same questions every year.  Here are the questions and her answers.

How old are you? 5!

Who is your best friend? Jillian

  What is your favorite thing to do? I love to color!

What is your favorite color?  Blue

What is your favorite food? Pancakes!

What do you like to do with your family? I like to eat lunch together.

What is your favorite toy? My dress up clothes!

What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor

What makes you happy? Playing with my little brother

What makes you sad? Being left out

What is your favorite movie? Cinderella

What is your favorite book? Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

What do you think about before you fall asleep? My dreams

If you could have any name in the world, what would it be? I like my name

 Where is your favorite place to go? Papa and Gigi's house

What is your favorite memory? Playing at the lake

What was the best part of your birthday? Eating cupcakes 

 What is your favorite animal? Cat

  What is your favorite part of school? Playing with my friends

 What is your favorite sport? Basketball

.  What is your favorite team? K-S-U, Wildcats, K, S, U, WILDCATS!!!

~~

If I would have been thinking I would have taped our little interview.  For sure for next year!  :) 

My Baby is 2 1/2!

Kade Robert-

Wow!  You are half way to being three!  Time just keeps going faster and faster.  I love being your Mommy and watching you grow up!

The past two to three months have been awesome! About six months ago, I admit I was a little frazzled.  It seemed you needed constant correction, but I am so proud of how you have progressed.  You listen fairly well (I mean, you still are a two year old), and follow directions.  You have learned that if it isn't yours, then you don't need to touch it.  That was a hard concept for you because you are such an inquisitive little guy!

I love your independence and strong will.  Granted, it makes my job as your mama a little harder, but I wouldn't change it one bit.  You like calling the shots, so I've found it easier to give you choices.  Instead of just telling you that you have to eat your dinner, I give you a choice.  I tell you that can either choose to eat your dinner, or if you don't, then you go to time out an lose a toy.  I can not believe how much more effective it is to give you choices!  99% of the time, you make the right choice.  There still are a few things that I don't give you a choice on, but I've found you obey much easier now that everything isn't a battle.  

That strong will of yours has made potty training a challenge.  I would sit you on the potty for thirty minutes, and nothing.  As soon as you would get up, you'd run and potty.  We tried cold turkey into big boy undies.  You liked all of your undies, and wanted to wear them all, so you would potty just a bit, run and get a new pair, and say, "I pottied, so I want these now!" Ugh...  Then last week you were in the bath tub.  You told me in a slight panic, "Mama, I need potty in big boy potty!"  Shocked, I asked if you really needed to.  You replied, "Yes.  No potty in bath.  That's gross!"  I got you out, and you promptly pottied, then returned to your bath.  There has never been a question about IF you were ready to potty train, you were just being stubborn.  The end of last week, we just decided to try big boy undies again.  You have done great!  There have only been a few accidents, and you now will tell me when you need to go!

Your verbal skills have really taken off, as well.  Just the other morning as we were getting your underwear on, you said, "I better not potty on Mickey cause he wouldn't like that."  Daddy and I couldn't believe you strung together such a long sentence.  Your speech is getting clearer.  Hot dogs are not "gog gogs" anymore.  :(  Daddy likes to call you his little stud.  But whenever he does, or if I call you sweetie, you tell us very seriously, "I not stud.  I Kade Robert Johnson!"  

You and your sister play together so well.  Most of the time it is farming, Bubble Guppies, or dolls.  It is fun to watch you narrate and make noises as you play with all your farm equipment and animals. 

Kade, you are so full of energy.  I don't think you ever walk anywhere.  You are constantly running, hopping, climbing, or jumping off of something.   No matter when or where we are, if you are going down steps you ALWAYS jump off the last one. 

Recently, we moved you to a big boy bed.  This was after one day when you were playing in your room and started yelling, "Look at me, Mama!!!"  I came in to find you had crawled into your crib.  It was time for a big boy bed for sure.  You showed us numerous times how you climb in and out.  Big Sissy tried to do it to, but is a little timid, so she couldn't.  You smiled proudly, puffed out your chest and said, "Like dis, Sissy!" I think you were thrilled that you were showing her something for once! To my surprise, you have not yet gotten out of your bed.  You wait quietly in the morning until we come in to get you up for the day.

Bubba, you bring so much laughter to our family!  You have a natural happiness that just radiates from you.  It is hard to think about you and not just smile from ear to ear.  We love you so much, sweet boy Kade Robert Johnson!  ;)

Love,

Mommy