6 Years Old!!

Dear Grace,

As I’m typing this letter, you are reading it out loud to me. You have grown so much in the last year. Reading, Writing, Addition, Subtraction. You are very good in math and very hard on yourself when it comes to your school work. This comes as a surprise to me, because I was just the opposite in school.

You just finished Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago. Every week, we’d go through your school work…and every week you’d come home with a stack of papers on Friday – most of which were perfect. But you’d always manage to find the few you had red X’s open and comment how you ‘got it all wrong.’ I’d try to place the emphasis on all the good work you did, but you really weren’t hearing it. As I always say…”I’m not asking you to be perfect, just do your best.” And I honestly believe you have.

To say you were a social butterfly at school is an understatement. Your friends were not limited to the Kindergarten class, you made friends  with the Pre-K class – as well as ‘big kids’ all the way up to the 8th graders. As I walked you to class in the mornings, you were always greeted by most everyone, by name – even parents.

You are still known by everyone at the restaurant, as well. You have now infiltrated the entire place, finally figuring out that Vincent and Little Gino are really where it’s at…and you use this knowledge to get anything you want there. You seem very interested in how things work in the kitchen. You ask a lot of questions about cooking when you’re there. You also love to help out in the kitchen at home.

You have no problem walking up to a table of adults and talking to them, especially in a place you feel comfortable. With that being said, new places or places with new people seem to really intimidate you..or as you call it “scare you.” You can have a very sassy attitude at times and can still talk trash with the rest of us. You get it honestly from me and Daddy. We focus a lot on manners and how you speak to people.. because no matter what, we want you to be polite.

You are still in soccer. The season just wrapped up a few weeks ago. You like it..but I wouldn’t say that you love it. I think you like the fact that you are able to see your friends and run around with them, more than anything. You are very active at school and at home. You have a hard time sitting still. Always curious, always inquisitive. You are constantly doing something – and sometimes into things you shouldn’t be into, because of your curiosity.

Physically, you are more beautiful than I ever dreamed you would be. Your skin is perfect and your hair is curly and brown with a lot of red highlights in the sun, especially in the summer. You are already at odds with your curly hair, wishing it was straight..and not so ‘poofy.’ You have your own style and you like to dress yourself..model your clothes and wear makeup. You are always getting into my makeup and trying different things.

You love drawing, painting, telling stories, acting, singing..and entertaining in general. You still have that very dry sense of humor that you get from me…and you are very sensitive, just like me. You love your babies and take care of them all the time, packing them around in a basket and putting them to bed or dressing them. You also love all animals and have a very maternal side to you. You are always thinking about your friends and creating artwork for them…or asking to call them.

I have not been working in an office for several months now, so I get to spend a lot more time with you. I can honestly say these last few months have been some of the best in my life. It’s so nice to spend time with you and truly get to know you – not just in the 2-3 hours after work and when we’re getting dressed in the mornings. We’ve done so much together lately…and we’ve had so much fun. Every year around your birthday I have always felt like I was missing out on so much with you. This year it was a little easier to stomach that you are growing up so fast.

Favorite Music: Britney Spears, Prince, brass bands and anything live. You like playing the drums and I hope to be able to help you explore this interest more very soon.

Favorite TV Shows: iCarly, Tru Jackson & Suite Life on Deck

I could not be any more proud of you, Grace. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t stop and think of how thankful I am for you in my life. You are a blessing to all of us.

Happy Birthday!

I Love you,
Mommy

Happy 5th Birthday Grace!!

Dear Grace,

It doesn't seem like another year has gone by. You will be 5 in just a few weeks. I know it seems to you like it takes forever to get to your next birthday, but to me it goes by in the blink of an eye. People tell me all the time how sweet you are... And they are right. Even at this age, your thoughtfulness and genuine concern for the people you love is evident in everything you do. Emotionally, you are very sensitive, just like me. You cry easily and if there is any indication that you may have upset or hurt someone, it devastates you to the point that its almost impossible to comfort you. I find myself having to put up a brave, strong front at times, when it's not really my nature, just to try to thicken your skin a little. I used to think you were such a daddy's girl, and you still are...but lately you've become really attached to me. You can be very demanding at times, but I truly love it. I love who you are and the person I see you growing into.

Physically, you are very strong and you still straddle the tom boy/prissy girl line on a moment to moment basis. You are loving soccer. You scored another goal this season and seem to really understand the game.

You are creative. You love to make things... Jewelry, drawings, paintings and you LOVE to write books at school. Your books are so special to me and I will cherish them forever. You went from day care to pre k at a new school this year. it was a rough few days at the beginning, but you adjusted despite yourself and love it now. Every day when I pick you up from school you have to stop by the gym to see what's going on in there. You are facsinated by it. You've told me you want to be a cheerleader and a basketball player.

Favorite songs: music/madonna, I know I can/nas, everybody nose/nerd, we don't want no war/michael foster project, ridin dirty/chamillionaire. Yeah, I know I'm wrong for letting you listen to some of these songs... But you do have ME as a mother... You also like some kanye but I won't list those songs... I'll definitely be in trouble.

Favorite shows: Phineas and Pherb, Any of the Marvel Comics shows, Spongebob

When I wrote this letter last year you were on your way to peeling crawfish all by yourself. This year, you have mastered the art! You have a great appetite and love to try new foods.

Your favorite things to do are to go by ginos and see your mawmaw and just visit with friends in general. You are constantly asking to go by the restaurant, to stop by your nannys or visit with Kenna, James or Charlie. You are definately a social butterfly and it's already difficult keeping up with your schedule. I can't imagine how it will be in a few years.

You are and always will be my sweet girl.

Happy Birthday!

I love you,
Mommy

The Bead

Dear Grace,
Today, you stuck a bead in your nose at school. You were making crowns for the epiphany and decided the purple one that was too irresistible and just stuck it right in your left nostril. Your teacher, Ms. Sonia, called to tell me. My 1st reaction was to laugh. Don't ask me why..I laughed when you fell off the bed as an infant and when you fell off your swing set when you got a little older. I don't mean to...it's what comes out. So after she told me you were calm and ok..but just had a bead up your nose.... I left to pick you up and take you to the dr. We had to go to Lake After Hours b/c your doctor couldn't fit us in, as it was the end of the day... The dr was very nice and you were as still as you could be while he stuck tweasers in your nose to remove the tiny bead...but he couldn't get it out. So, he told us to see another tomorrow and go on home. Later, after you'd eaten and taken a bath, we were sitting in bed and you said you thought you felt it. You asked to go get a tissue to blow your nose again and you blew it out...all by yourself!!! The look on your face was priceless as you looked at the little snotty purple bead sitting on the tissue, so excited, so accomplished. And you said MAMA, I DID IT!! I GOT THE BEAD! I was as equally excited. It was as if you'd found a diamond in your nose. I have cleaned and kept the bead for future reference and harrassment. It will be a long time before you live this one down, sister. But while I was at the dr with you and watching them try to take the bead out of your nose, I realized how sad I would be if anything ever happened to you. I hope you know how much I love you and will do anything I can to stop you from getting harmed... but work with me, girl..and dont stick foreign objects in your nose.

Love, Mommy

You are 4!

Dear Grace,

I usually write this letter before your birthday. This year, it didn't come to me until after...

The day you turned 4 was a very emotional day for me. I kept wondering where all the time has gone. It doesn't seem like 4 yrs... Maybe 2. I wanted to check my math and subtract 2004 from 2008 a million times just to make sure. I feel like I've missed some things and should've kept you home more... Taken you more places.. Done more things. But then I think about all we do together as a family and just me and you.. (I don't know many 4 year olds that have been to Jazz Fest in NOLA, seen Santana in concert, rock DC shoes to day care every day and has an open tab and table at Gino's). We have so much fun with you. Your spirit is so strong. People stop me all the time and tell me how beautiful you are.. And its so true. For the most part you are kind and polite and have started using please and thank you more. Sir and mam are still an issue. You have your moments believe me. You are not above throwing a tantrum and screaming I DONT LIKE YOU MOMMY. YOU'RE NOT MY FRIEND ANYMORE. (as you did just last nite because you didn't want to go to bed). But you always come and apologize...

You are obsessed with babies and are constantly caring for all of your babies. I will walk in your room at times and there will be babies all over the floor and bed ... All on pillows and covered up. Recently, Ninny and Aunt Teri (who you've started calling uncle teri) had their babies.. So you walk around with babies under your shirt saying 'Mommy... Theres a baby in there and its coming out...' You like to pretend you are the Mommy and/or the teacher and tell everyone what to do. It's really cute.

You really like Dora, Diego, Sponge Bob and Strawberry Shortcake right now. Currently, your favorite song is Doin Somethin by Soulive. Everytime I put it on, you start to dance! You are loving soccer and about to start your 2nd full season in the fall.

You are a true cajun girl at heart. You love to dance, eat and hang with your friends and family. You even love boudin and learned how to peel your own crawfish this year!! What more could I ask for?

So proud.

Love you, Mommy

Latest Art Work

dragonfly
























lady bug









caterpillar
butterfly

3 and a half...whew

Dear Grace,

You are 3 and 1/2 now...and what a busy time it is. There's a few things I want to tell you about so I don't forget them. Time has a way of slipping away and you forget the little things.

We started you in dance class in September. Ballet, Tap and Jazz. You seemed so excited when we went to try on your shoes and get your leotard. You put on your tap shoe and tapped a couple of times with one of your feet..and you really seemed like a natural.

Then, we went to the 1st day of class...and you did not want to go. You cried and cried. I figured since you were in the class with your friend from day care, Ava...you would want to go and like it. You didn't, but we kept at it... and after taking you to class several times screaming..you finally started to like it..and seemed genuinely excited to go to dance class. If I didn't see an interest in you to begin with, I would not have pushed it.. but you really seemed to be catching on and liking it. Then we had Christmas break..and everything seemed to fall apart after that. You screamed and screamed when it was time to go back to dance class. I pushed it for one more class, then... I gave up. I tried. You tried. But you just don't like it. I mean, you like to dance but you don't like the class. You tell me you're scared. I think you might be scared of all the other kids. I used to be intimidated like that when I was little. I thought I could help you past it with a little pushing and encouragement..but it didn't work. So, we went to the bakery, bought you a donut and went home. I hope this does not discourage you if you want to try something in the future.

dance class

Dear Grace,

Today you started dance lessons. Ballet, tap and tumbling. A few weeks ago, we went to the school, signed you up and had you fitted for your shoes. You were so excited. Ava, from your class at day care, joined up with you..and you were all ready to go...until it was time for class and I walked out. Then, I sat on the other side of the 1 way mirror and watched you cry for 1 hour and 15 minutes. It broke my heart. You said it scared you and you don't like it.

After dance class, we went to mawmaws for spaghetti...and you showed everyone in the lounge the dance steps you'd learned at class. I think once you go a couple more times, you will be the best dancer in class. We just have to keep at it.

Your favorite song right now: Mercy,Mercy,Mercy - Rebirth Brass Band/Maceo Parker