Singing Sawyer

Dear Sawyer,

Awhile ago, I was watching an interview with Reese Witherspoon and she said that she believes that people sing when their hearts are just so full of joy, it comes out in song. If that's true, I am glad that I always hear you singing! So often you are playing in your room or just walking around the house singing whatever song that has popped into your head. For the past month, it was a mash-up of the holiday songs you learned for your school's holiday concert. Our house was filled with the sounds of you singing a few lines from each song, sometimes on repeat: "Twinkle twinkle Hanukkah lights! Shining bright for eight long nights! Rockin' around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday! You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear! Voices singing 'Let's be jolly! Deck the halls with balls of holly!' The red candle shines, the red candle shines, when it's time for Kwanzaa, the red candle shines!"

I heard "The Wheels on the Bus" several times this week and this morning, you were singing "The itchy, itchy spider went up the water spout." I love it! May your heart always be so full of joy that it comes out in song.

Love,
Mom

Big Boned

Dear Sawyer,

One of your teachers is a little bigger and when you were talking about her one day, you said she was fat. I told you that that wasn't a nice thing to say about someone and that statement has really stuck with you because not only have you never again said she is fat, you won't say the word at all or even let anyone else say it. When we were looking at your dinosaur book, I commented that one of the dinosaurs was so fat and you immediately called me out on it: "That's not nice. Don't say 'fat.'" And at dinner the other night, we were talking about bacon and GuhGaw said it's full of fat. You jumped right it: "That's not nice. Don't say that." Yes, sir!

Love,
Mom

Mrs. Manners

Dear Sawyer,

You came into the kitchen this morning and shouted, "I'm thirsty!" I constantly have to remind you and your siblings to ask for things nicely because, ahem, I am not your slave, so I said, "How should you ask for something? 'May I please . . .'" You replied, "May I please I'm thirsty!"

*sigh* I try.

Love,
Mom

Quiet Time

Dear Sawyer,

You never like going to bed and always ask me to stay with you "all day." Last night, I said I couldn't stay all day but that I would stay for a little bit. I sat down on your bed and asked you what you did in school and you said, "I moved all the kitchen toys to the other table." Then I asked you what else you did but you were so tired (it had been a school day and you hadn't napped) so you blinked slowly, rolled over on your side and said softly, "Mama, that's enough talking." Hahaha! Message received. I stayed quiet and just held your hand until you fell asleep.

Love,
Mom

Season of Sharing

Dear Sawyer,

The holiday season is officially here and during this time of year, Daddy and I always donate to charities. Your school is holding a Toys for Tots drive and I wanted to use it as an opportunity to teach you about giving to those who are less fortunate. However, it turned out to be a little more complicated than I expected. Our conversation went like this:

You: Can I play with those toys?
Me: No, we are going to give them to kids who are less fortunate. It's kind to give things to people who may not have as much.
Y: Oh, like sharing with homeless people?
M: Yes.
Y: So after we give them the toys, they will give them back to me so that I can play with them?
M: Well, no. We are going to give them the toys and they will take it to wherever they live.
Y: But we are sharing! We take turns!
M: Yes, normally that is how sharing works but--
Y: Because I want to play with the tractor, too!
M: I know, but they are going to take it to their house--
Y: Then can I go to the homeless house to play with them? Can you drop me off for a play date at the homeless house?

Oh boy! We talked about donating for awhile longer and I think you got it. I know how much you liked the tractor but you have also always been so thoughtful, so you were very understanding about why we were giving the coveted toy away to someone else. You carried the tractor the whole way to school and helped me place it in the Toys for Tots box in the lobby. I told you that you were going to make some kid very happy and you smiled back at me so sweetly!

Love,
Mom

Daddy Impression

Dear Sawyer,

I gave you lunch this afternoon and went into the kitchen to clean up. While I was rinsing dishes at the sink, you ran up behind me and tightly hugged my legs. You looked up at me lovingly and then ran back toward the dining room. You paused, though, to turn back and tell me, "I hug you because you so beautiful." Day made! And it got even better when several minutes later, you came back into the kitchen and said, "I give you three kisses." Then you gently kissed me in three different spots on my arm. You are such a sweetheart!

You are also such a funny little comedian! After dinner, you and I were again in the kitchen together while I was cleaning up. Daddy walked in and said, "I'm going to take a shower now." After he walked back out, you repeated exactly what he said in a deep voice and sounded exactly like Daddy! You nailed his tone! I laughed so hard, my stomach started to hurt. It was awesome!

Love,
Mom

Best Friends

Dear Sawyer,

Recent Sawyer cuteness:

- You say narble (marble), gubblebum (bubblegum) and faminee (family).

- You say it's either "good morning time" or "good night time."

- You and JieJie have a special goodbye ritual when she leaves for school in the morning. Instead of shouting bye to each other, you say, "Chicka chicka!" I guess it's your special sibling code word for "goodbye."

- You were eating lunch one day when you pretended to be your tummy. You cupped your ear and said in a deep voice, "Can you hear me? I'm full!"

- When you eat something you like, you say a satisfied, "Mmm" and give me a thumbs-up sign.

-You often fold your hands together while you're riding in the car or watching TV.

- You still love Team Umizoomi and ask to watch it every day. You never want to watch anything else!

- You giggle whenever you hear the words "poop" and "fart."

- You can spell your own name!

- You came into the kitchen the other day, spun around with your arms out and said, "See my ninja spin!"

- JieJie left her unicorn slippers in your room and while she was in school, you brought them back to her room and placed them neatly next to her bed. When I told you that was such a thoughtful thing to do, you replied, "I'm her best friend."

- Your classmate Mila is also your best friend and you talk about her all of the time. Sometimes, you tell me, "Mila is my best friend. I'm going to marry her." Awww!

Love,
Mom