Thank You

Dear Peighton,

Everyone that knows you is amazed by your politeness.  I have always been impressed with the fact that you say "please" and "thank you" without too many reminders (a quality I am not certain all of your toddler friends possess).  In fact, even before you could speak you knew sign language and were habitually signing your manners.  Needless to say, I have always been impressed by this but tonight you really blew me away.  Typically, you say thank you when I bring you something you have asked for like a drink of milk or a bowl of cherrios (or a bowl of M&M's if you beg me hard enough for them).  Tonight, we went to Tumble Jungle for open gym and during our walk to the car you said "thank you for Tumble Jungle mommy!"  It melted every last little heartstring of mine.  Your cheeks were all rosy from running around, your hair a mess from the pit...and I hear this sweet little voice being appreciative of a fun outing.  Amazing!

Tumble Jungle was a hoot tonight too because it was just us and your little friend Will.  Will has always been pretty calm and reserved, not a crazy three year old boy as you would imagine but tonight all of that changed!  You put up with him so well.  He was pushing you, stealing your ball, and just getting in your personal space much, much more than you saw fit.  You didn't get too upset about any of it because you are so good with other kids your age but when he really pushed you hard and you fell down, well, you had just about had enough of it at that point.  You really impressed me with how patient you were with him for most of the hour we were there.  We decided to get burgers with them after open gym and the two of you had a blast playing with your straws and french fries!

At school today, your teachers said you were pretty upset when it was time to wash your hands.  I am not sure what that was about but it made me feel bad that you were so upset and I wasn't there to help you.  I think you just didn't understand why Mrs. Doreen was trying to get you to turn the faucet on a different way than you were attempting.  I guess you were really huffing and puffing in tears.  It made mommy very sad to think about you like that.  Your report card from school for the day says that you were "very talkative today, a social butterfly".  That's my girl!

Daddy is in Chicago this week for work so it was just me and you doing bedtime routine.  You cracked me up because you wanted to watch Jem again.  I keep trying to convince you that that show is "wierd" but I think that just makes you like it more.  I am not certain it is entirely age appropriate but you seem to really enjoy it.  I think you just like anything with singing and dancing!  You are really loving Princess and the Pop Star too (Lexi and Della turned you on to that but I can't say that I am disappointed that you love it, I love it too but don't tell anyone).  You are so smart, we have watched it a dozen times and you know all the words to the songs!

I love you honey!

M

Tangled

Dear Peighton,

You recently discovered that you love the Disney movie Tangled (as do your father and I).  In this movie, Rapunzel and her so-called mother have this dialogue:
     "I love you."
     "I love you more."
     "I love you most."
I never really knew you were paying much attention to this until tonight when I was putting you to bed.  As I do every night, I say "I love you so much honey."  Tonight you melted every single one of my heart strings when you said, "Mommy, I love you more"...long pause while my eyes filled up..."That is what the princess says."  How on earth can a two and a half year old be so smart?  You are amazing my child...amazingly brilliant, beautiful, and kind.  I love you so much!

Love,

Mom