Dear Emmi,

We have had a great couple of months together, starting with the holidays.  Me and you even got to take advantage of all the boys going to a BYU basketball game by getting your first pedicure, followed by dinner at McDonald's, and playing Just Dance on the Wii.  

You continue to amaze me at how well you are adjusting to school, and how much you are learning.  You are just too smart.  Just today you asked me out of the blue, "Mom, is air a gas, solid or liquid?"  That is crazy for 1st grade!  I didn't know what those even where when I was that age.

At the start of the year, I enrolled you in a musical theater class, given your love of singing and killer facial expressions.  So far, you are loving it, and I am so glad.  You are learning such fun songs and actions, and I really think this might be your niche.  You just might have a gift of acting like your uncle J, but time will tell.  Can I say how much I can't wait to see you on stage again this spring?  Well, I can't.

You continue to be a great helper when it comes to Jack, especially now that he is in sharing time with you on Sundays, but one of these days you will learn to clean your room, right?  I sure hope so.  I love you, my mouse.

Love, 
Mom

Dear Keaton,

I was a little surprised that another one of my kids would get an award so soon, but I was not surprised that you won this specific award.  You won your class award for the "Reading University Scholar,"  which is so cool!  For the Reading University, you have to read specific books on a list that were selected for being challenging, as well as good, classic literature. You are my child that I always find in the recliner with a book, and have no problems finishing them.  This last month, I have gotten you quite a few big books from the library on the list, and was amazed at how fast you went through them!  I know you earned this award!

Of course, I was given a little head's up that you would be receiving this award, and I was supposed to keep it a surprise, which I did.  I found it funny that after you got the award, I asked you if you were surprised and you said "No, I knew I would get it."  I was expecting you to say the opposite, but I love your confidence.

Your teacher, Ms. Whiting, had this to say on your reward:

"Keaton is a very good reader.  He works really hard to get all of his Reading University books completed.  He already has read all of his books required for 2nd term and half of the ones required for 3rd term!  Keaton always reads silently before class starts to help expand his mind for a full day of learning.  I know that Keaton will be very successful in life because of his desire, determination, and love for reading!"

I am so proud of you, buddy!

Love, 
Mom

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