A Birthday Wish

We like to do a family activity around the day of each of our children's birthdays.

This year (two days before his birthday) we surprised Tate with a trip to Gram and Pop's house since his ever-present and unceasing wish is to live at Grammy and Poppy's house.

We kept the party a secret and when we pulled in the driveway Tate opened his eyes and exclaimed, "This is where we're going?!" He was so happy.

Gram made him a peanut butter cake--pure delight for my little peanut butter boy.

It was a perfect day.

On his birthday he chose to have a French Breakfast Muffin with an orange lego candle for breakfast.

At 10:00 seven little boys came over to our house for Tate's birthday party. Unfortunately, I misplaced my phone right before they all came so I didn't get a single picture. (My hands were quite full once the party started...I'm sure you can imagine...)

We had a pin the flag on the treasure map, pirate stories, and then a treasure hunt that led them to their party favors. We ended the party with pirate treasure cake and ice cream.

 Oh Tate,

I can't imagine my life without you. You are the sweetest little boy I've ever met. You are learning to read so well this year; I'm so proud of you. I love how your teacher thinks you are the sweetest boy and are so good with some of the difficult boys who misbehave and bother people. You are so patient, you cooperate so well in your class, and help everyone to get along.

You amaze me with your endless supply of hugs and kisses and your mischievous antics that still keep me on my toes every day. I wouldn't change a thing about you.

You are perfect--just the way you are.

Thank you for being such a perfect little boy.

I'm so glad you are mine forever and ever!

Love always,
Mommy

You're 6?! Wow, you are growing up so fast! I have loved growing with you this last year and seeing you begin so many new things! You have been so brave as you have embarked on many new adventures!

This past year you played T-ball for the first time and made so much improvement in hitting the ball! You also began school for the first time with kindergarten and you have done so well! You have grown up so much as you have become so much more brave and independent in all your activities. Your reading is also improving so well as you can pick sight words out anywhere, especially as we read scriptures. Mom is right about how accelerated your reading skills improve as you read from the Book of Mormon.

I love you Tate! Happy Birthday!

Love,

Dad

11.29.14

Miss Maylie's 3rd birthday happened last Saturday. Truthfully, it was somewhat of a blur. We had so much going on with Thanksgiving this year and then Christmas decorating the day after...therefore, Maylie's birthday was here before I could even breathe.

We filled the day right up to the tip top with swimming at our favorite locale, then decorating the house for her special day, decorating her Elsa cake, wrapping presents, dinner from Wendy's, then eating cake and ice cream, and opening gifts. I was thoroughly exhausted by the end of the day, but felt so happy and fulfilled and grateful to be giving my daughter a simple birthday party with memories she will hopefully treasure. Motherhood is filled with these exhausting, yet tenderly sweet days.

Dear Maylie,

I can't believe how you've grown over the past year. You are like a little grown up lady and I just don't want you to grow so fast. I told you to stop growing the other day because I wanted you to be my baby forever, to which you replied, "But Mom, I have to grow up. I not a baby anymore. You can get another baby to be your baby." You melt me.

I love how you follow me around doing everything I do. When I get ready for the day, you are there at "your little vanity," with your squirt bottle, brush, and hairspray to do you hair as well. When I cook, you cook with me or make playdoh creations. When I have work to do on the computer, you open up your new birthday computer. When I watch a movie with you and bring my binder and book upstairs, you find a notebook and book to use during the movie as well. When I write, you write. When I play the piano, so do you. Everywhere I am you are my little shadow and I cherish each precious moment I have to create memories with my "mini me."

Thank you Maylie for your perfect obedience and natural ability to follow with exactness everything we ever ask you to do. Thank you for lighting up every person you meet with your sparkling blue eyes and captivating personality. You truly make a difference everywhere we go and I can't help but notice how everyone you encounter leaves with a glowing smile on their face. You have a gift, my sweet girl. You are the brightest shining star I know. And I treasure each day that I get to spend with you.

I love you forever and for always,
Love,
Mommy


Dear Maylie,

You are three! You have done so much for us in our family this past year! Thank you for your love and kindness that shines through you everyday. You are turning into a beautiful princess just like your Mommy!

I love the way you say hi to everybody you see in church, in the store, on the street and everywhere! You brighten their day and mine as I see you act so kindly towards all of Heavenly Father's children.

Thank you for always being so polite when mom and dad ask you for things or give you something. You make sure to always say "please" and "thank you." This will continue to be a blessing in your life as you act polite towards others, they will to you too.

Thank you for your spontaneous components that you give to me and mommy. We love to hear you tell us that we are pretty/handsome/beautiful/cool or that we smell good or that you love us so much! You always make our day when you reach out to us and others through not only your kind and Christlike actions, but also words.

I love you so much and I can't wait for another year with you as a part of our family!

Love,
Dad

A Birthday Letter.

Dear Easton,

You've been 7 for just over 3 weeks now. And my letter to you this year is one of gratitude. Gratitude for the young man you've grown into this past year. You really are like a little man--my right hand man actually--always there to offer your help, always responsible to follow through, always there to ask "what's wrong" when I feel a bit sad. In short, you're just always there. You've been by my side through the thick and the thin, through the ups and the downs, through our 7 moves in two states, both of your parent's bachelor's degrees, Dad's doctorate, the birth of your brother and sister, and every step of the way on my journey to learn how to be a mother. You made me a mother, and I loved every single thing about you from the very start.

It's funny how I knew your personality before you were even born (just like I did Tate and Maylie too). I would describe you to others as a vibrantly energetic little boy who had just enough mischief to keep things interesting and just enough sweetness to melt my heart. And that's who are you. To a T.

That very first moment of holding you in my arms, and you looking up at me with those deep blue eyes of yours, you captivated me. I remember nearly gasping with the realization of how familiar you looked to me. A similar story had been told to me my whole life--about how when my dad looked into my eyes for the first time, he was amazed at how familiar I was to him. And though I knew this story all my life, I wasn't prepared to have the very same experience, more real than I could have imagined. I knew at that moment that my Father wasn't exaggerating. There was a connection that I'll never forget. We were meant to be together, Easton. You were hand-selected by Heavenly Father to come to our family for a very special reason. And I don't believe I've even seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your potential, your gifts, and who you will become. Seeds of divinity lie within your soul, and I will be eternally grateful that your Dad and I made the life-changing decision to invite you to our family.

This next year is going to be awesome! May I be blessed to prepare you for your baptism as well as my mother prepared me. I'm so grateful we get to travel this life journey together. You're everything I ever dreamed of having in a son...and more.

I echo the words from a song by Mindy Gledhill:

"Oh, I've loved you from the start, in every single way, and more each passing day."

Love,
Mom

7/26/14

He had been looking forward to this day for nearly a year. He had changed his mind about what he wanted for his birthday dinner and his presents more than a dozen times. And he had been counting down the months since Christmas and the days since May. And when the day finally came complete with red and black decorations and a chocolate frosted yellow cake, Easton was more than ready to be seven.

Actually, his birthday celebrations always start a bit early as it's a Greene family tradition to meet at Downata the Monday before Easton's birthday every year. This year it was forecasted to rain, but Easton had faith that if he prayed, Heavenly Father would stop the rain. And he did. Easton's faith always amazes me. After our swim, we gathered around for pink frosted cupcakes made by Nana (Easton's request) and giant snicker doodles (another of Nana's traditions). Gram and Pop brought Easton his presents of a real Easton baseball bat and balls. This was a monumental day indeed.

Now on to the day of his birthday:

For breakfast, since it was Saturday, we made rice pudding and Easton was able to use the special golden plate.

Next we went to Logan to eat lunch at Chuck-a-Rama. Nana and Papa were able to come with us too. We had such a wonderful time but somehow I managed to snap two pictures of Tate and none of the birthday boy (or our guests, Nana and Papa). (Not a proud moment!) After lunch we went to Kohl's with Nana and Papa so Easton could pick out his birthday presents. He chose a Shark sweatshirt, new shoes, and a Lego adventure set. It was a perfect afternoon!

When we returned home Easton opened his presents from us: new roller blades, knee/elbow pads, and an elastic bracelet kit. We spent the rest of the evening eating cake and teaching Easton the basics of roller blading.

Look at that twinkle in his eyes. How could anyone not love this awesome boy?

It was a special day--simple and sweet. I hope our birthday boy had a super day because he truly is our little Seven-year-old Superman!!!

A few days later we enjoyed a visit from Grandpa and Grandma and Payton to celebrate Easton as well. Poor Grandma had to make cupcakes at a friend's house since they are remodeling their kitchen! He opened a Lego helicopter and a Lego RV set. We spent the next few hours putting them together. Easton felt like his birthday lasted two weeks with all the celebrations. He felt so special and grateful for all of his wonderful family celebrating with him.