Dear Evan-45 Months Old

Dearest E,
You are so into beads and how they can hook onto things. You will take a strand and walk around the house looking for things you can pick up with the beads. You use the strand like a crane or a swing. Tonight you coiled it around one of your little people's feet and said he was stuck. I asked what he was stuck in and you answered a chain. In the past week you have started speaking in a lovely chatter. It isn't a few sentences anymore but brain fed thought that you are sharing with me. It is amazing to hear all of your thoughts and questions. You are so curious about everything. It is a wonderful thing. YOu use the word "anything" for the word "everything". It is very cute. You use the word "actually" often and I stand corrected in the world of trucks but you correcting me but saying, "Actually Mama that is a ...." You are amazing on your balance bike. You ride it holding your feet up now for long stretches and maintain balance perfectly. You use your the toe of your shoe as a break. By your birthday you will be ready for a full on big boy bike. I can'r believe how fast this year has gone. You started school again this past week. Imarni and Claudia are your teachers. I think this will be the best year ever. They are so warm and nurturing. They are so responsive to all of the families. It is fun to see how you are into school now and are comfortable there on your own. We haven't had any separation anxiety. You are a mountain lion now and have rode the change easily. You are very affectionate and show concern for me if I look the slightest unhappy. You now ask, "Mama why are you not happy?" I love that you show concern and that you can identify feelings. I think it is so important to identify and label a feeling at your age as it will help you to grow and accept your own. You remember everything. Places, people and now you bring up memories and talk about them. You will ask if we remember a place or something we have done. There is this boy named Robby that attends the park we like to attend here close to the house. He bullied you a bit the last time we saw him. He has some emotional problems and will be seen screaming or picking on other kids often at the park. We separated you from him and protected you from his craziness that day after he had hit you in the head with a sand bucket. You bring this day up often lately and I can tell that day bothered you and you are trying to make sense of it all. You have a great schedule now. You are sleeping usually by 8-8:30 and wake up around 7am. You rarely take a nap anymore unless we are driving back from somewhere. Tonight you were riding your bike around the block after dinner and have really taken to looking out for cars pulling out of driveways and crossing streets on your bike walking beside us. You will stop and say, "no cars-mama!" so can tell you it is ok to go. I am so proud of you. You have a good head on your shoulders and like to push to see your limits but I can see you trust us as parents and want to do well. That says alot about your personality.

Mama? I want to eat with you up in a tree. Evan that sounds like a marvelous idea. How ill be get up there. I love that and want to do that with you too. Pause. I think we can ask someone with a bucket truck and they can lift us up there while we eat then we can look all around. Priceless

Does Turtle need some food tonight? Yes Mama. Tell me? Does he need cantaloupe? yes. Grapes? yes. Apples? yes. Watermelon? yes. Then as he points to each finger he remembers and repeats what turtle is getting. He will eat each thing and every once and a while he will have turtle dip his nose into the bowl as we read his three books each night. Priceless.

I look at you each night when you fall asleep. You have the most beautiful face in the world. I drink you in as I never want to forget one moment with you. I love you more than words can say my sweet boy.

Love,
Mama