My Children In 2004

 I was looking for Christmas decorations and found some papers at the bottom of the box. Back in 2004, I somehow found time to write down my children's personalities. It was a bittersweet moment to read now that they are all grown up and the nest is very empty. I want to preserve these thoughts lest the papers go astray once again. I wish I had written more. 

Hannah There are all sorts of cute things you do during the day to write about but now it is the end of the day and I have a few things to write down on paper.

You love your boots...Rain boots, snow boots, red cowboy boots, it doesn't matter...you love your boots.

You wear your boots so much you got athlete's foot last Spring. We had to spray your feet every morning and evening.

You love your brother but you have a few jealous moments. The other day you wanted me to get him off my lap and put him in his playpen. You kept patting the playpen and saying, "Pen. Pen." When I didn't put him in, you clapped your hands and stretched out your ams to take him. I think you were going to put him in the playpen yourself. (Looking back now, I should have called you, "Miss Bossy Boots.")

You love to help around the house. Sometimes too much...

You love baths and showers. If you hear the word shower or bath, you start stripping. You will jump in with whoever is bathing in addition to your own bath. 

You used to hate showers. You used to scream if we put you in the shower. Now that our new house has clear doors, I am not sure why you didn't like the enclosed space created by shower curtains. 

You hate heavy rain and car washes. Daddy and I went to the car wash and as we drove through the car wash, you started screaming. We had to use car washes where you get out and the car goes through without occupants in the vehicle. The car had a window so you could watch the car go through and you were quite delighted with this feature. I am not sure you will ever be able to sit in a car going through a car wash.

You have a very stubborn streak. When you getting trouble, you'll point your finger at whomever is chastising you and look ver sternly at them. Your dad used to yell your name and point his finger at you when you disobeyed and I am guessing that is where you learned this behavior. 

You are increasing your vocabulary every day and even forming sentences and questions. You used to say, "Tweet. Tweet" when you saw a bird. Now, you say, "Bird." Oh! and for a long time, everything was a duck. 

You are counting to ten and know about 1/2 your letters and most of the colors in the crayon box.

You love music, you love to dance, and you like to kick things with your feet. Your dad thinks you'll be a soccer player (you turned out a figure skater and hockey player which I guess uses both things you loved then, your feet and boots, although you were a phenomenal swimmer when you learned). 

You love to go outside (you even did this as a teenager, you would get a blanket and head to the porch with your phone and tea). 

You love your tennis shoes. Shoes mean you're going outside and that I think in your mind equates to freedom. 

When we drive by McDonalds's, you say, "Going to eat?" It's kind of slurred but we can make out what you're saying. 

You are very cute but you do wear us out. 

Lauren added this to my paper:

 You also have your entourage. All your stuffed animals go to bed. They also come downstairs when you wake. Unfortunately, I (Sissy) have to share my bed with you for awhile, so I barely have room to sleep. 

You always say, "Roo, help." You have your bear, dog, 4 beanie babies, Mom's 80s Garfield, bitty baby, blank, and Matthew's Clifford!

Matthew