Happy Fifth Birthday to Our Prince

Dear Bubby,
My baby boy turned 5 years old this week!.  As I stare down at that blond haired boy whose head is just grazing my elbow, I am reminded how not so long ago, your entire body fit in my forearm.  As much as I long to steal those days back, I wouldn't trade the 5 years of time I've been blessed to be your mother , nor the experiences of watching your grow.  You changed my life from the first moment I saw you and you have made me grow in ways I could never imagine.  I thought it was supposed to be the other way around.  You are such an exceptionally bright little man, but carry a heart even bigger than that brain of yours.  Because of that, you are also an exceptional challenge every day to us!  Keeping me on my toes is an under statement, but I wouldn't give it up for anything.

Over the past year, you have developed so quickly.  I am amazed that the little boy who used to despise coloring has now become an incredibly creative artist.  You wow me everyday with your imaginative creations on paper, with so much detail that it becomes a story.  You started the year with writing your name, and are now having me spell words I'm not even sure I can spell.  Watching you start to read and write out math problems just makes me so proud of your determination to learn.

You are a natural born leader. As daycare has told me, when you are out sick, the other kids decide who is going to "play Caleb".  Being the ringleader, you also tend to challenge your teachers with keeping your classmates attention!  Perhaps a future politician or CEO in the making.  I find myself either laughing or rolling my eyes at your endless wit and humor.  You love to make faces, do impressions, and you are quite the movie quoter.  I catch you singing sometimes when you aren't looking, and I see a rock star just waiting to happen.  You are such a boy in every way! I enjoy seeing you spend hours flipping through your train magazines and building amazing tracks an engineer couldn't even construct.  I am exhausted by your ability to ride your bike, shoot rockets, save Lego town with your super heroes, build Play-Doh houses, excavate my dirt pile, and smack a baseball without ever skipping a beat.  We just won't tell anyone that some days, your sister convinces you to wear a pink dress!

 As tough as you play some days, you hold a secret pot of love, and when someone opens that up in you, you will love for life.  You tell me everyday that you will never break my heart, and I hope that I am here everyday to protect yours.  You always sneak up to me for Eskimo kisses and tell me.. "Mommy, this will always be our own special thing...forever and ever".  We have smiled while you packed up lunches for your daycare teachers for lunch dates.  You are a flirt and the girls melt over it all the time.

People always say that you are so me.  You are particular and such a planner.  I find it extremely adorable when you plan your birthday party four months in advance, or when I find your Matchbox cars lined up by size, type, and color.  Last night, you asked me if I wanted you to be a chef when you grew up.  I told you that I wanted you to be anything you wanted to be.  I meant it, because in my mind, you are already everything I wanted you to be.  People are drawn to your energy and your enthusiasm and I know you will do big things no matter where life takes you!  You are the biggest and best part of me. Mommy and Daddy love you more than you will ever know.

Love,
Mommy

Letter To My Babies

I stumbled upon this post today on the blog Marc and Angel Hack Life....as I read it, I didn't see it directed to me, but could hear myself mouthing the words as if I was saying this to my children.  I'm saving this excerpt here today so that my children can read this no matter time nor place and know that I will always be their biggest fan.  I love you Caleb and Sydney!
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"I know you’re reading this.  And I want you to know I’m writing this for you.  Others will be confused.  They will think I’m writing this for them.  But I’m not.  This one’s for you.

I want you to know that life is not easy.  Every day is an unpredictable challenge.  Some days it can be difficult to simply get out of bed in the morning.  To face reality and put on that smile.  But I want you to know, your smile has kept me going on more days than I can count.  Never forget that, even through the toughest times, you are incredible.  You really are.  So smile more often.  You have so many reasons to.  Time and again, my reason is you.

You won’t always be perfect.  Neither will I.  Because nobody is perfect, and nobody deserves to be perfect.  Nobody has it easy, everybody has issues.  You will never know exactly what I’m going through.  And I will never know exactly what you’re going through.  We are all fighting our own unique war.  But we are fighting through it simultaneously, together.

Whenever somebody discredits you, and tells you that you can’t do something, keep in mind that they are speaking from within the boundaries of their own limitations.  Ignore them.  Don’t give in.  In this crazy world that’s trying to make you like everyone else, find the courage to keep being your awesome self.  And when they laugh at you for being different, laugh back at them for being the same.

Remember, our courage doesn’t always roar aloud.  Sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering, “I will try again tomorrow.”  So stand strong.  Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out.
And I am committed to making the best of it along with you."

Happy Third Birthday Princess Sydney Grace!

This weekend my baby girl turned 3.  I made a promise this year to write my children a letter to them every birthday.  It's my way to share the story of their life for years to come and show them the joy they have brought to our lives.

Dear Sydney Grace,

March 18th was your birthday, and it is so hard to believe you are already 3! Daddy and I can still remember the shock and joy we had when we found out that you were coming.  When we found out we were having a girl, Daddy looked a little shaken.  I don't think he quite knew how he would handle a little girl, and he immediately had images of warding off all the boys lined up at the door asking to date his daughter.  Boy, Daddy didn't realize how much you would have him wrapped around your little finger.

You have been preparing for this day for 3 months.  You knew exactly what type of party you wanted and who you wanted to invite.  We made cupcakes for daycare and dressed you up like a little princess.  Mommy curled your hair, and you twirled in front of the mirror like our tiniest little diva.


I can't even begin to tell you what a beautiful spirit you are...so care free and full of love.  You love to give kisses and hugs, and are quite the little caretaker, whether its checking up on everyone's boo-boo's, or tending to your babies.  Your laughter is intoxicating and you know how to work those big puppy dog eyes with everyone. 


Over the past year we have so many memories.  What follows is just a small list of the things that ARE Sydney Grace Roth!


You LOVE condiments. You insist on ketchup with everything...even raspberries! YUCK!


You are a leftie. As much as Daddy denied it, you are a south paw, but already hold your pencil so well.  You color with such concentration, and do very well at drawing faces and bodies which is advanced for your age.


You are petite but love to show us how you are "stronger" and how big you are getting.


When Mommy or Daddy discipline you, you are just heartbroken.  It's like you hate to disappoint us.  You have a heart of gold..the most forgiving eyes I have ever seen.  You love with everything you have!


You've got rhythm.  I am amazed at how you move to music, just a natural!  You've also become quite the little gymnast in only six months of classes.


You only sing when you think no one is listening.  You must get THAT from Mommy, but it's a shame because you have such a pretty voice.


Although you guys love to fight, you look up to your big brother so much.  You've even started to mimic his tantrum tactics!


Your funniest habit is playing with tags.  You play with the tag on the back of your pants to fall asleep.  We have to place your blankets in a way that puts the tag within your reach.  You even play with the tags on your babies' clothes.


You have such a bright and beautiful imagination.  I'm amazed at how you can play alone for hours, and I smile just listen to your little voice creating your own stories in your own world.  Your little world is always filled with such kindness.


Sydney my love, I could type on for hours about all the wonderful things you have brought into our life and how much you have taught me.  I wish some days that I could keep you in this spot forever, but also look forward to watching you grow and evolve into a beautiful woman some day.


Daddy and I love you with all of our hearts!

Bound for the North Pole

Thanks to a great family friend, we were able to provide the kids with a Polar Express adventure that will certainly become a Roth family Christmas tradition.  If you haven't heard of it, click here! http://www.wmsr.com/ This is a great event for anyone with small children!  Hey, it was even enjoyable for a grown adult who still feels like a child when it comes to Christmas spirit!  Thanks to Linda Davis and the Fudali's for a great time!

We told the kids about 3 days ahead of time of our weekend destination.  Anyone who knows Caleb's love of trains can only imagine the excitement this child had to contain.  The train station was about one and a half hours from home, so the kids napped for most of the trip.  Two sets of eyes popped open the second we hit the end of the exit ramp to our destination.  Even our hotel room overlooked a set of four rails that presented a train about every 15 minutes.

The town of Cumberland was such a quaint place with historic appeal.  Even the train station had that authentic feel. When the steam engine rolled up to the station, it even had the bum from the movie riding atop the train. I had never seen children's eyes that wide. The conductor came around with his hole punch and punched the kids tickets. In an hour, we arrived at the North Pole where cookies, hot chocolate, and SANTA awaited! Caleb and Syd, for the first time, sat on Santa's lap without that fearful look in their eyes.

 

Grandpop managed to sneak Caleb out a side door to take an up close look at the steam engine. I managed to snag a precious photo of them in front of the engine. Unfortunately, it was a cell phone photo, so the resolution is not high enough for me to post on here. The photo has found its way into a special frame sitting at Nanny and Grandpop's house. After hanging with Santa, the train bound to the station.  The kids were exhausted, yet mesmerized by what they had seen!