Dear Emmi,

I am so proud of the little lady you are starting to become.  As evidence of this change, today you got the "Builder of the Month" at school.  Each month, your school teaches and focus on a different value, and then rewards one student in each class who exemplified that value during the month.  Previous values have been honesty and integrity.  This month's focus was on showing gratitude, and me and your dad could tell that you were very surprised, and a little embarrassed of all the attention of this honor.  I know, however, that it is well-deserved.

On your award, Mrs. Hamilton wrote:

"Emmi always has a smile on her face when she comes to class.  Not only does she help others around her, but she goes out of her way to tell others thank you for helping her.  Other teachers have also noticed her kindness and have expressed how thoughtful she is to other students and teachers.  She is a a great example to others around her."

I have also noticed this behavior at home, and it warms my heart. My mother always taught me to say my please and thank you's, and I can see you doing just that as well.  I love you, sweet girl.

Love, 
Mom

Dear Sam,

This school year so far has been the hardest on you, and for that, I am sorry.  I know how much you miss your old school and all your friends, and I don't blame you at all.  Every day, little by little, you have enjoyed APA that much more, and I have seen a great change in your academically, which is so great.

We discovered that you hate math class, and that you have a tendency to hurry so fast that you end up getting a lot of answers wrong that you really do know.  We also discovered that you can make friends so easy, and have already made quite a few new ones.  We also discovered that APA has healthy lunches, but they are actually pretty yummy to you, and that the uniform is actually pretty comfy too.

We are now in the middle of the 2nd term of school, and you have just brought home the bi-monthly report card showing that you have all A's!  This is a major improvement from the 1st term, and I am so happy for you.  In talking to your teachers, you are kind and nice to everyone, always on task and very respectful to your teachers, which actually means more to me.  You are a kindhearted kid, and always have been.  I am more proud of your character than I am of your smarts.  They both will get you very far in life.

You  have been taking guitar lessons from Jake Rosenbaum down the street for a couple of months now, and you are starting to play mini songs.  I love to see your desire to play, even though you struggle with it at times.  I know you would much rather be playing video games or playing with friends than lessons, but it makes me happy to see you put forth the effort.  I know if you stick with it, it will bless your life.

I love how you insist on sitting by me in church, and how I have to prod you to sing the hymns with me.  I love how you get the giggles over something silly without fail in Sacrament meeting, and all the many cute pictures of animals that you draw.  I love how your shoelaces are ALWAYS untied, how you hate to see me leave the house, even for a short errand, and how you like to talk to me about everything when I tuck you in.  You are truly a mama's boy, and I hope it never changes.  I love you.

Love, 
Mom

Dear Kids,

 

Here are our beautiful family pictures that were taken in October by Chelsea Searle.  I always look forward to these so much, and treasure how they capture your cute personalities.   Looking through them now, I am struck by how gorgeous my little girl is, and how handsome my boys are.  I am so grateful to be your mama.  I love you.

Love, 

Mom

Dear Keaton,

Not surprisingly, you were very easy-going with the change in schools this year.  You seemed to be content with either school that I put you in, and I was so grateful for your trust.  Not surprisingly either, you are doing remarkably well at APA.  I am your room mom so I know both of your teachers pretty well.  They love you in their class and are very quick to tell me so.  They tell me you are an absolute sweetheart and never give them any problems, which is totally your character.  You have already been moved up a math level, and are loving every minute of school.  I think you look so handsome in your uniform, and I love how you have never complained once about the white shirt and tie every single day.

We were going to have you stop piano and start taking guitar with Sam at the end of the month, but you recently told me that you wanted to stay in piano, and I am secretly very happy about this.  You are doing so well in piano, and I hated to think you would not be progressing in it anymore.  I love the sounds of the piano when you are practicing, and see you get better week by week.

You just earned your Weblos badge in scouts, and it looks like you will be getting your Arrow of Light next month! I can't believe you are almost out of Cub Scouts.. crazy!

You (and Sam) are totally into Minecraft right now, and sometimes that is all I hear you talk about. You are hoping for an Xbox for Christmas so you don't have to play Minecraft on my computer.  I love how you will cover every snack in peanut butter, sneak in to sleep in Jack's bed every night, sing the hymns with me in church every Sunday, and can be caught reading in the big chair without being asked.

You are such a good kid, and I am so very proud of you.  I love you, son.

Love, 
Mom