Nice Job on the Father's Day Gift

Hey Miss T,

I know this is a week and a half late, but I just wanted you to know, Dad loved his Father's Day gift.

You did a splendid job picking it out. He kept saying "Who would not want to be a Father when they look at this picture?" I guess we are pretty awesome kids?

Now I know we always blame Dad's silver white hair on heredity, but truth be told we each have given him a share of those hairs. But I am so glad he can look at our faces and say he is glad to be our Father. Thanks for picking out such a great gift! (And thank you especially for not using a picture from the most recent wedding photos for a sibling...no one should have to be pregnant in a picture that is going to hang on your parents' wall forever, don't you think?)

Love,
Kk

Just What T Bear Needed

KK-

One of the reasons our move stressed me was T Bear.  Shocking, right?  I know you can't even imagine my perfect oldest son causing me stress.  Haha!

Although he is a great kid, T Bear requires a lot of attention.  With a new baby in my arms I was completely unable to give T Bear all of the attention he wanted.  I was extremely worried because our move meant that there would be no more preschool and no more regular play dates with friends.

With this worry on my shoulders plus many more, we moved.  I tried to have faith that something would work out and our move to OR would be successful.

The first blessing was a hole in the fence, where my boys made new friends.  The second blessing arrive on our door step from Mother Goose Time.  Mother Goose Time is the curriculum we used for T Bear's preschool in Seattle.*  

Inside this box were numerous activities, art projects, workbooks, and a music CD.  All we had to do was "add water" (well this time we did literally add water).  The boys were extremely delighted to have "preschool" again at our house.

We have invited our neighbor friends over to join us.

Since then, when I am able to get the Little Grizzly down for a nap, we pull out something from the box.  T Bear loves the structured activity, the time to learn, create, explore, and ask questions.  T Bear loves having me give him some direct attention and engage with him on his level.

Our recent lessons have been about lakes, rivers, rafts, and beavers.  We threw out a blue blanket that has served as a lake and a river.  The boys have been busy beavers building dams on the river, or building rafts to float in, or practicing their swimming.  I love the creativity that can come out of a simple blue blanket.  

I am so grateful for this opportunity to spend with him each day.  Before I know it he will be off to kindergarten and I will miss him terribly.  This Mother Goose Time box is just what T Bear (and I) needed to make our summer fun.

-Miss T

*If anyone is interested in how we did our co-op preschool using Mother Goose Time, just let me know.

Can't Get Enough of the Fire Trucks

KK-

Even though I have three little boys, I still wander through the little girl clothes at every store.  Oh how I love them.  I am so excited for your little Nelson girl to be dressed in such adorable outfits.  

I rarely get that excited about little boy clothes.  The other day, I saw the most adorable fire truck pajamas.  I had to have them.  My boys love fire trucks.  

Little Grizzly has worn them all day.  He is so cute in them. I can't get enough.  Whenever I have talked to someone, the first thing out of my mouth has been "Little Grizzly is wearing the cutest fire truck pjs today!"  

This has been the highlight of my day.  Can't wait to wash them.... and do it all over again!

-Miss T

Hot

Dear Baby Nelson,

Isn't it fun to have a nick name? Thank you to T-bear for giving you a tummy name, "Nelson." Don't you worry, your auntie has promised that the boys will call you your real name when you are born, but for now they get to call you Baby Nelson.

While you are squirming around, enjoying my body warmth, I am experiencing summer heat like never before. I didn't know you would make me feel so hot. In the morning when I wake up, mid-morning when I am out doing the pool check, mid-afternoon when I am out picking up trash on the property grounds, early evening when I should be preparing some kind of dinner, evening when I should be relaxing with Mr. P, and at night when I am trying to get to sleep and deciding what is more uncomfortable: needing to go to the bathroom for the 7th time since getting in bed, or being so so so very hot.

The other night Mr. P was kind enough to get this fan out, and instead of directing it to blow on him like he usually does, he set it up right at my feet.

I am only left here wishing that you, Baby Nelson, were keeping me warm during the wintertime. How nice it must be to have a built in little heater when it is cold outside. But then again, how nice it is to have a little heater at all.

I can't wait to meet you, when the summer has ended. Goodnight.
Love,
Your mom

Looking for Sympathy from Other Middle Children

Dear Auntie KK,

It has been a little rough becoming the middle child over here.  I'm writing in hopes to find some sympathy from other middle children (like you?)

The baby my mom brought home is only ok.  I have thrown balls at him, but he doesn't catch them.  I am not allowed to drive my fire truck over his body even if he is just laying there.  I am not supposed to touch him, cough on him, sit on him, spit on him, tickle him, or pick him up.  What am I supposed to do with him?  Just look? Not very fun.

I keep telling my mom when we go places "Leave Little Grizzly in the car."  She does not listen.  I also tell her daily, "Put Little Grizzly down."  Sometimes she listens, sometimes she doesn't.  Whenever I need something, she usually answers "after I feed the baby" or "T Bear can help you."  That is not what I like to hear.

The other trouble I have run into is that my family moved to a different house.  I keep telling them I want to go home.  I even used to wake up in the night crying and saying "go home."  T Bear keeps telling me this is our new home, but I am not so sure if I like this new home.  

On top of that, my mom keeps referring to me as a mess.  How am I supposed to feel about that?  She complains to her mom and friends about me getting 3 ear infections in 4 months, breaking out in hives and rashes regularly, and appearing to be deaf (due to the ear infection).  Oh, and did I mention I am 2 1/2 now?  My mom says that is why I am a little more obstinate and whiney lately.  I don't know what means, but I know when I want my milk, I want it N.O.W.!!!!

Apparently I did not have a choice in becoming the middle child, but I am hoping it will get better.  Does it?

Lots of love,
Cub

B-Town is MARRIED

Last Saturday my baby brother B-town got married.  Here are some of the pictures from the magical day.  

I can not believe all of us Cutler kids are married!

KK- Aren't you thrilled that you are adding a grandbaby GIRL to that bunch of grandsons?

-Miss T