Wow!

Dear Noah,

This is what your dad and I walked into after "rest" time this weekend! All we could say was, "Wow, you were sure busy"!

I had a phone conference with your teacher, Ms. Ann, tonight and she had nothing but good things to say! She said you are a very attentive, helpful, interested, bright boy! She mentioned how you love the routine and your confidence is showing more and more the past few months. She also said how you like playing with all the boys, but when some of them throw toys or do something "naughty" you take a step back and look over at her to see what she's going to do. You definately know right from wrong according to her. Good boy! We do love that school and your wonderful teachers.

We've been having some roadblocks at home lately though. For the first time in 4 months you wouldn't do ATA on Saturday and sat on the mat with Mrs. Shank the whole time crying for me. And, you've been having a rough time going to Sunday school the past few time too. But, once you go and we pick you up you're SO happy and can't wait to show us what you've done. So, I think you just love us so much and don't want to leave us : ) As a matter of fact, out of the blue the other day you told me you aren't ever going to be a daddy with a kid because you are going to live with us forever in our house with Max and NaNa! So sweet!

Love you,

Momma

Fall Fun!

Talk about Fall Fun! At 3 1/2 years old you have an unreal amount of socail functions, that to be honest, are adroable and exhausting (for me)!

We'll start with your preschool class field trip to the pumpkin farm. We were running late, and then I got lost. Of course, you pick up on my anxiousness about being late (such first borns we are) and by the time we got there you were ready to go home! You acted very shy and confused when you saw your teacher's there and you wanted me to do all the activities with you. It took you until after the hayride to warm up, but then you got in a groove and ended up having a great time! Whewww!

Then we went to a Fright Night at Meadowbrook. You got to wear your costume and dance the night away! We wrapped you in toilet paper to turn you into a mummy and you got to see a magic show where the clown made a bunny appear (you thought you did it because she gave you the real wand and when we said the magic words the bunny appeared!). The highlight of the night was the haunted hayride. Being the tough guy that you are, you weren't afraid and kept saying to yur Dad, "We're not afraid of anything, right Dad!" Even when the guy with the chainsaw popped out of the woods!

You then had a school Halloween party, ATA trunk-or-treat, church singing performance, and then FINALLY the real neighborhood trick-or-treating! You and your buddy Alex had tons of fun at the ATA party, but I'm not sure you even snd 3 words at your church performance. Those darn allergies seem to always get in your way: right when you were supposed to start singing you sneezed and a big goober was hanging out of your nose. Luckily Daddy and I were sitting in the very front row and I ran up and handed you a kleenex. You just never seemed to recover! Your poor nose! We got to go home afterwards and Daddy cooked us breakfast in the garage! Weird, but fun!

All in all, this fall has been entertaining. Cooking and helping around the house seem to be taking up some of your time. And, you can now put your socks and shoes on by yourself, still love your cheetah, cinnamon rolls, and being a goof! You keep us laughing!

Love you,

Mom

Interesting weeks with Noah!

Dear Noah,

We've had a fun filled week. Mondays are soccer days with Coach Tyler at Kickaroos (Alex is there too). Tuesdays and Thursdays are school days. Wednesdays are usually errand days with a stop at the park. And Fridays are whatever days! This week we went to the zoo!

Of course, the first thing you and Max wanted when we got there was a Popsicle (something your Dad started that drives me nuts!!). I explained to you that we were there to enjoy the weather, the animals, and just being together. You suggested we enjoy all that while we eat our Popsicles : ) So smart!

Your favorite animals were the hippos, alligators, and snakes. What a boy!

Then, on Saturday night you got to go to your first St. Louis Blues hockey game! It was so fun and they won. Lately you seem to be sensitive to loud noises, so you covered your ears a few times when the stadium got too loud....but Daddy commented today (as you were running around the house banging two metal objects together) that for a guy who seems to be annoyed by loud noises you sure do make a lot of the noise yourself! I digress...back to the game. All in all the game was enjoyable. Probably because we let you have 2 orange push-up pops and cotton candy, but hey, that's the only reason I go to those games too : )

You chattered to us the whole way home even though it was 11:00. You asked, "How could we win and all those other people win too?", not understanding that "we" meant all Blues fans! Good question!

When you woke up early this morning you asked me why there was light coming in your window when you hadn't been asleep that long! Of course I tried to get you to go back to bed, but once you saw Max and milk there was no convincing you!

Here's to another interesting week!

Love you,

Mommy

Black Belt Here You Come!

Dear Master Noah,

It's so ironic, but we used to call you Master Noah when you were a baby (yes, you have always been a tad demanding : ) ) But, now you are really becoming a Master in Taekwondo. You had your 2nd testing on Saturday and earned your white belt with yellow stripe. We are very proud of your hard work and ability to memorize all your moves. As you can see from the pictures, you are very serious....just like your Mamma! Poor thing : )

You and I spent the whole weekend together (Daddy and Max went to Columbia to help Gramma Mary and Papa unpack their new house). We got to eat pizza, make cookies, go to Six Flags where you went on 2 roller coasters (the screaming eagle and tony hawk's big spin...so fun!), and watch movies! The best part of the "Special Mommy Noah Time" was that you asked me to put my arm around you on the roller coasters...that's the only reason I allowed you to talk me into riding them over and over and over!

I did learn a few things this past weekend though...you are definitely sweeter with your brother around and you are definitely growing up! I think you really missed having a buddy to play with! We are a lucky (blessed) family to have each other!

Love you,

Mommy

Cousin Slumber Party!

Dear Noah,

You had such a great time this weekend with your Cousin Carter. He got to spend the night at our house, and you guys were hilarious together. It's the first time you've ever had anyone spend the night in your room with you, so you were so excited and "not tired at all" according to you at 9:00pm Saturday night as you two snuggled up in your box "tent" with your sleeping bags and stuffed animals.

It all started at St. Alban's lake and park. You started at the park and ended up covered head to toe in lake water and sand....as Daddy said, "boys will be boys"! Max hated the sand and wanted to be held the whole time (smart kid!). After you got done swimming you found a toad and decided to catch it and make a castle with high walls so the poor guy couldn't hop away. I overheard a little discussion between you and Carter. It went something like this: Carter: I don't think it's a real toad. Noah: Yes, I think it is because it hops. Carter: Yeah, you're right Noah. Noah: Well, maybe it will ground (drown) if we put it back in the water, so we better bury it in the sand. YIKES!

The nighttime routine was adorable too. You guys stayed up (not too late) and told each other stories until you got uncomfortable in your box tent. We heard you tell Carter to go into his bed (mattress on the floor) and you guys clamored out of the box tent into your beds. We heard, "goodnight Carter, goodnight Noah" and the quiet!

What a little grown up you're becoming!

Love,

Mom

Unique Noah!

Dear Noah,

I don't even know how to title this letter because you really are such a character to me! This week, you emerged from my room in a dress of mine and a tie and shoes of Daddy's! Where do you get these ideas? I have to say though, you sure did look nice!

You and Brooks have become quite the pair. I remember when you two would fight all day (I felt like I had two kids and Max wasn't even born yet!). You would get so mad at him for following you around and trying to eat whatever snack you had in your hand. But now, you guys really love each other. You defend him when Dad and I get upset with him and you want him around all the time (even when I've told you he can't come out in the front yard with us...yes, you've disobeyed me on that one a few times and we always end up having an issue...like a few weeks ago when he rolled in some dead animal right before a house showing...we had to wash him outside in order to get away before the people showed up..aghhh, always something!). I think NaNa's facorite time of the day is when you lay in our bed for "rest/TV" time in the afternoon. He has taken it upon himself to climb right up there with you!

Today was attempted Football Sunday for Dad. He was so excited to eat his Lime chips with salsa and drink his Arbonne shake once you and Max went down for nap/rest time. BUT, you were quick to inform him (once your milk was gone) that you wanted to be with your homie and eat chips and watch Yo Gabba Gabba. So, you guys compromised "dad gets to have his choice and then I get to have my choice of what to watch". He picked football and that lasted until your CapriSun was finished (why we even bought CapriSuns today is another blog entry in and of itself! ). Anyways, you ended up leaving your homie and watching a show in our room. Loyalties.

That crown you're wearing is from church today. You didn't take it off all day! AND, your Sunday School teacher commented to me on what an artist you are. That's two teachers in two weeks who have mentioned that to me....hmmmmm!!

You are unique!

Love you,

Mommy

The Most Beautifullest Dog Ever!

Dear Noah,

You have learned some great things from your Dad! He is so good about complimenting me and telling me "thank you" when I make lunch and dinner for you all. It's rubbed off on you and you are so sweet to me (when you want to be). The other day we were eating dinner and you told me I was "the most beautifullest dog ever"! Hmm, not sure I like that compliment, but thought it was funny!

Love you,
Beautiful Mama Dog

First Weeks of Preschool!

Dear Noah,





You started your first day of pre-school last week and LOVE it! You never said you loved school before and I think it's because you are actually doing "classroom" things now that you are in pre-school and not kids day out. You have "jobs" (yours was passing out the napkins and cups for snack last week and you can't seem to remember what your job is this week...I think it has something to do with holding the Bible for verse time or something with the prayer). You got in the car today and said, "Mom, I had the most awesomest day ever. I love school. It's my best place ever"! It makes me so happy to hear you so excited about school. Your teacher, Ms. Anne, told me today that you are a joy to have in class. She said that she often points out that you're being a good "role model" because you are such a rule follower (just like your Mom!). I am so proud of you!





Love you,


Mom

One year later.....

My Noah,

Where do I begin....a WHOLE year has gone by since I wrote to you and for that I am truly sorry! So much has happened with you that I couldn't possibly put into a simple blog, so instead I'm going to get back on track and start with where you are now in your life.

Here are the things that will always remind me of this time in your life (age 3 1/2):

1. You are SO big...you are the same height and size of most 4 and 5 year olds!
2. You love ATA martial arts and are doing really well hanging in there with the 4 year olds!
3. You LOVE treats and love to hoard them in your treasure "chest" in your room.
4. You like soccer and are going to play in the Fall again with Alex.
5. You can swim without your floaties!
6. Art seems to be a strong point for you...look out Gramma Mary and Daddy!
7. You are so smart! You ask great questions, "where does lightning come from and why do we sometimes see the moon in the morning"?
8. You remember the answers to your great questions and can relay them back to me (when I've told you to ask your teachers for the answers!).
9. You are a great eater...still. And you still love your milk and cheetah.
10. You love anything that is "beautiful"...usually anything that's colorful!
11. You love and sometimes can't stand your brother...but mostly love!
12. You and daddy are homies forever.
13. You can negotiate your way in and out of anything.

14. Your tooting noises on your skin, my skin, max's skin, daddy's skin are SO annoying!

15. You will do about anything for some gum or gatorade.

16. You thought Daddy was so cool for "winning the triathalon" because he got a medal.

17. You really like school, can spell, write, and recognize your name, and can count to 30.

18. You like to cuddle with me lately and I love it!

Love you,

Mama (as you have started calling me again)