My little workout buddy

Charlie,
I have to say that you really impressed me yesterday! I had to go for a run, so I thought I would try running while you rode your bike. We went for SIX MILES!!! That is pretty amazing for a five-year-old to ride that far. And we had a great time! We rode from the condo in Park City along the trails to Newpark. You had a great time, and we talked most of the journey. I truly enjoyed every minute of it. In fact, I think it was one of my best times running...EVER! Thanks Super Dude! Here are some photos of the trip:

Mile three (thumbs up)

Mile Five (not the best photo of me)

Mile Six--We did it!

I cannot wait until we do it again!

I love you!
Mommy

Happy Three, Ry Ry!

Yes, it is true…you are now officially THREE (on June 22…I forgot to post this)! For months you have asked me if it was also your birthday every time we celebrated someone else’s birthday. But now, Sweet Boy, it IS your birthday! We have had such a great year, and you have grown up so much!

Every day when we ask about each other’s favorite parts of the day, you always tell us that you loved playing with Sully, Jackson, William and Quentin. I know it is going to be hard for you (and us) to leave First Baptist and all of your friends and wonderful teachers, but it will also be so great to have you at Cosgriff with Charlie. You will love it there, especially when you have the magical Mrs. Lee as a teacher!

You love sports so much! On any given week, you and Charlie will play basketball, lacrosse, soccer or baseball. In fact, you were an honorary member of Charlie’s tee ball team this year. Nothing beats that big smile you had when you would run the bases. You are tough and strong and very coordinated. In fact, you just started to balance on your Skuut bike. You will be riding a real bike sooner than we know.

“Shaking your boo boo” is also a favorite of yours. And little man, you can dance!

You are definitely a Mama’s boy, and you are so sensitive at times. Even if you think I have gotten mad at you, you throw your whole body to the ground a cry your eyes out. Speaking of, those big, beautiful eyes are going to get you out of trouble. You really are too, too cute!

You are so silly. You love to make us laugh. You love to play with cars…and destroy LEGO creations in Charlie’s room. You are OBSESSED with Captain America and Iron Man. You constantly ask to watch “The Four and Lokie” (aka The Avengers). In fact, right now I am using a Captain America costume as a bribe to try to get you to poop on the toilet, but you say that doing that is scary.

Thank you for being so sweet and loving and wonderful you! You make my heart melt. I love you so much and am so proud of you. May you always be happy and smiling.

Love,

Mommy

Charlie is FIVE!!!

Happy birthday (Jan. 12), Bubba Snooks! Are you really the big FIVE already?? I cannot evenly (as you would say) believe it!

This has been a fantastic year! Watching you grow and grow up has been such a joy. You are so sweet and kind, and just the thought of your infectious laugh makes me smile. You have become this wonderful little artist, and I cannot believe how well you can paint. You have a taste all your own—one that exceeds your years at times. You love to get dressed up and really wanted dress clothes for Christmas (Thanks, Nana!). You also love good food and will eat anything. In fact, your request to Grammy for your birthday this year was to have her send you some smoked salmon from Alaska. Now how often does a four-year-old make that request?

You have become quite an impressive skier, and right now your favorite thing is finding jumps to go off of at Snowbird. Daddy loves going skiing with you each weekend, and I know that you have gotten so good because he takes you out so much. You had a great time playing soccer this year and have grown leaps and bounds from where you were a year and a half ago. Plus, I think Coach Tracy is about the coolest coach ever!

I think one of your best memories this year will also be the fabulous Mrs. Lee. I know she will be one of those teachers you remember your whole life, and I will never forget the day you told me, “Mommy, Mrs. Lee is MAGIC!” And she really might be! You have learned so much, and I am always amazed at how smart you are and how much you remember.

You and Ryan are becoming much better friends now that he is old enough to really play with you. And boy does he look up to you. He tries to do everything you do, so always be good to him—he loves you so much!

We had a great celebration for you on Saturday. You, Daddy and I went skiing at Snowbird, and it was a blast—despite the freezing temperatures (maybe 5 degrees!). Then we surprised you with a night at the Newpark Hotel in Park City. You were so excited! You were also so appreciative. You kept saying, “Thanks, Mommy and Daddy for doing all of these nice things for me!” You make my heart melt! We got take out from Maxwell’s, hung out in the hot tub on the deck of the room and then spent the next day at breakfast with Uncle JB and then swimming. You told me that the coolest part was how you went under water in the pool and then you would swim outside. Too funny! It was a great night! You and Ryan had your first sleepover, and you almost made it through the night in the same bed. Ryan woke at 4 a.m. crying.

Thank YOU for being wonderful you. You are always there to dole out the compliments—you tell me how pretty I look (even on days when I know that is not the case). And you always, even since you were really little, you always ask us how our day was. Lately, you like to ask, “How was your good night’s sleep?” You are always so willing to learn, and you want to know everything about everything. Thank you for making us laugh and helping us to remember the pure joy of things in life. There is no one like you. We love you too, too much and are so very proud of you.

Love you forever,
Mommy