Happy Birthday Sweet Sarah :)

I cannot believe I am already writing this. It seems like I wrote your 7th birthday letter just yesterday.

Sarah,

You have grown up so much in the past year. You have attacked school work with such vigor. On most homeschool days, you sneak into your homeschool room before we even have breakfast and finish almost everything! You really love math and doing 'meeting masters'. You do not enjoy grammar. You always want to push it until 'last'!

Ballet is still your favorite activity. Every Thursday, you wake up and say 'it's ballet day!'. I remember how excited you were when you looked at an '09 calender in January and saw your birthday fell on 'ballet day'. You declared it would best birthday ever because of that!

You love playing on the Wii--specifically running. I am amazed that you can run in place for 30 minutes without losing a beat and consistently comment on the 'beautiful site' at Wii Island ;)

Your favorite friends right now are Sarah, Heidi and Megan. And all three are coming to your 'Wizrd of Oz' party tomorrow. We could not find the DVD so we are renting it. You were very upset when you learned they were 'fixing' the 'Wizard of Oz' for the next edition because 'it is already perfect!' :)

You are one of the sweetest girls in class. You are kind, generous and loving. You amaze me everyday with your spunk, giggles, brains and heart. 

I am truly the most blessed mom in the world to have you as a daughter!

Love,

Mommy

Now Spanky is TWO

Spanky,

My goodness--you are two! I can't believe it! It seems like yesterday I found out I was pregnant with you...where has the time gone?!

If anyone ever broke the mold (and shattered it into hundred of pieces) in our home, it is you. You are my busy, busy, busy boy. There is always something exciting and wonderful happening and you must always be involved :) You laugh harder than any child I have ever heard, you scream with delight over the smallest fun things than any other child and you can throw a tantrum better than any child I have ever seen :)

You want to grow up and join your brother and sisters in all their activities. You follow them everywhere. If you had your choice, you would be sitting with Dino in his pre-k class right now, coloring away.

You love markers--you love to color on paper, people and everything else. I can always smile during my toughest work out or my 86th squat just be glancing at your latest 'art work' on my calf. You are always carrying a stuffed animal (preferably beanie baby kitty) or a doll baby where ever you go. I know you will make a great dad--you show such love to these objects along with any baby you see anywhere. You are generous with your kisses to say the least!

You are fiercely independent. You like to do things by yourself--no matter how hard it might be. But you always remember those you love. No one can leave the house without you opening up your arms and walking up to them saying 'hug'. And then you wave and say 'bye, love doo'. It is the cutest thing.

Like your brother, you love to dance. "You May Be Right" gets you rockin' no matter when you hear it. I can't wait til you join him in singing.

I amazed how much you have stolen my heart along with all your siblings. You bring such a joy to our family!

Love,

Mommy

10 Years?! Are you sure?

It was ten years ago, my life changed forever. Everything that happened before those ten years is a blur, seriously. It was ten years ago my first child, the beat of my heart, Miley was born.

I honestly am in shock even writing these words. Can my little baby, the result of the shocking two lines, be ten? Was it really ten years ago when we were faced with an emergency caesarean? Ten years ago that we learned what colic really was? Ten years ago I learned I could love someone as much as my soul mate? Ten years that I truly learned what it was like to feel the unconditional love of something so small yet so powerful?

Yes, the smiling face next to me nods, TEN YEARS.

Here's your letter butternut!

Miley,

You are growing so fast now. I have to admit the days have passed more quickly than when you were a very loud baby but I'm sure not quick enough for you! You have been counting down to this day for months. Two digits--wow--you've graced the world with your sunshine for ten years. Our world has never been brighter :)

You still have an earnest desire to be a fashion designer. Your sketch book is overflowing with dresses, swatches and various designs. You have your sights set on going to the Savannah School of Art and Design. You want to live in Italy and design the world's greatest fashions. And I know if this is what you really want, nothing will stop you.

Your second passion is reading. You are hooked on your Nancy Drew books (the theme of your slumber party) and love watching Nancy Drew shows with your sister. You love a good mystery!

Ever the social butterfly, you are almost always with a friend, talking on the phone to a friend or on your way to see a friend. And you are a good friend. You always think of their happiness when making plans--you are a joy to all you meet! Currently your favorite friends are Claire, Hope, Paige and Hannah. 

You are still in dance. You love jazz and are sick of ballet. You don't care for math but love your literature. School can be a challenge but when you try and do your best, you always succeed.

And of course, you are a great sister! The boys adore you and Sarah wants to be just like you. Dino calls you his 'best friend'. You are blessed to have three great siblings and they are pretty darn lucky to have you as their big sister :)

I am so happy to be your mom. I love watching you grow and I cannot wait to see what this new decade of life will bring to you. The next time your age ends in a zero, you will be in college. I am continually amazed in all you do and I am forever crazy about you :)

Love,

Mommy

PS- I love that you still call me mommy and cuddle with me some nights--try not to grow up too fast :)

To Dino on his big 4 birthday!

Dearest Dino,

You are four--oh my goodness FOUR!! I still remember your birth--I remember how beyond ecstatic your sisters were when you were born. I remember how sweet you were no matter how many times we changed your outfits--you in my mind--were my last baby and I made it a point to remember each and every minute. 

This has been an amazing year for you! You have grown so much. You have started talking more--you love talking to just me at bedtime about your day. You love going 'under' blankets and we pretend to have a picnic with pepperoni pizza, doughnuts and juice :)

You love your cars. Lightning McQueen and Mr. the King go on magical journeys throughout our house. You build amazing little towns for them and towers are still your speciality.

You have a total fascination  with letters--especially 'A' and 'H'--you want to read so badly. We have started on Bob books and I know you love looking through them--although nothing can replace your two favorites 'Pizza Pat' and 'The Very Hungry Catapillar'.

You love music. Kindermusik is your favorite time of the week. At home, you like Michael Bubble and Josh Groban along with your Cars soundtrack. 

You are very serious about your dress and making sure everything you wear is spotless and 'neat and clean'--you say that about everything you like :) I never have to worry about messes where you are concerned. You even like to clean up with me.

Your best friends are Sophie, Kelly and Griffin. You are so excited when they come over and you love to smile and make them happy! You also love your pals from blastball. (You like to hit the ball but you really love outfielding and screaming 'BLAST" when you get the ball.) But your favorite playmates are your two sisters and brother. You love to run outside and play for hours in the little pool and on the swingset. 

Dino, you continue to amaze me in all you do. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for you. I know you are destined for great things :)

I love you and I love your kisses and hugs--they always make a frown turn upside down!

Love, 

Mommy