Happy 8th Birthday

Dear CJ,

Another year has gone by. It has been a wild ride. You are great at keeping me on my toes. This year meant a suspected broken bone and a cast for you. But you didn't let it slow you down. Right before the start of your first year in Little League. I was so worried you wouldn't be able to enjoy it, but you really made the most of it. Out there every day working hard and really trying to learn from your coach even though you were limited by what you could do. I don't know why that surprises me. You have always been a tenacious little boy.

I don't know what this year will bring for you. But I'm sure it will be met with that fighting spirit of yours. Don't ever give up. Keep having fun and making people laugh along the way. And remember, you can do anything you put your mind to. As always I am thoroughly looking forward to this trip with you.

I love you. Happy 8th birthday to you. We're going to have a great year together!

Love always,
Mommy

Happy 4th Birthday Alyssa

Dear Alyssa,

Wow! 4 years! I can't believe it has been 4 years since you made your surprise entrance into this world a day earlier than expected, preserving our family birthdays of 1's and 2's. You must have known my secret obsession with numbers and patterns. I mean really, you couldn't have picked a better day to be born either, at least number wise.

This has been a really big year for you. You started school this year. And as I suspected you are a very well liked and very bright little girl. Starting to sing your ABC's and learning how to spell your name. S is your favorite letter, good thing there are two of those in your name.

You have been navigating friendships and really coming out of your shell. One thing I will caution you against is don't be so quick to want to do and have everything your friends do and have. You have a mind of your own and a spectacularly brilliant style. Let it shine and always be you. That fun loving sassy and sweet little girl, who has a knack for driving us crazy while simultaneously making us laugh. I never want you to lose that about yourself.

I can't wait to see what this year is going to bring for you as you continue to learn many new things. I love you my sweet little monkey and I hope today and the whole year are filled with happiness and plenty of laughs and smiles.

Love always,
Mommy