Four.Three Years

 4.3 Years

• We went camping for the first time this year this month. We spent the night at Hammer Creek. It was fun to play in the sand, fish a bit, ride bikes around the parking lot, throw rocks in the river, play in your secret "fort" (under a giant bush), roast s'mores, and sleep in the camper. It was our turn to stay home for church and the campsite has cell service, so we were able to stream church in the camper. 
• Lately, you and JoJo have been playing so well. I am so impressed with you are you as a big sister. You love to make her laugh. The other day, we were down stairs playing. You took the slide and set all the couch cushions at the bottom of the slide. Then you girls slid down and landed on the pillows. It was adorable to watch you set it up for JoJo. With your new friendship comes a bit more naughtiness. When I find all the toys scattered or water spilled on the floor, you try to blame it on JoJo, telling me it was her idea. 
• Your cousins came this month! It was so much fun having Auntie Janecce and the kids over for the weekend. We took them to the hotel pool, Lions Park, up the mountain for mushroom hunting and cooking hotdogs, down to the river to play in the water and sand, and stayed at home where I never saw you or Sonora because you were either running around outside or playing barbies. You loved sleeping with Sonora. Auntie Janecce was so sweet to read books to you girls each night and tuck you in. 
• With warmer weather and summer approaching, we have been staying up later. When Maggie and Sam was younger, I would stress out about them stay up late. With you, I don't worry so much because you sleep in. Yes, I said that right. You, Millie, are the best sleeper inner of our family. I love it. There has been a few days where you don't wake up until 9. Thanks babe.

Four.Two Years

 4.2 Years

• Grandma and Grandpa Matthews came for a few days. Dad had training in Boise so they watched all you kids while Dad and I had a night to ourselves. You had a good time crafting with Grandma and making a volcano. When we got back, we celebrated Dad's birthday with a big chocolate cake from Costco.
• With the weather warming up, you have been my work buddy. We wash the van, rototilled the garden (you loved sitting on the back of the four wheeler with me while belting out songs for me), and watering and planting new bushes. We usually sneak in the swings, a fun ride around the pasture, or cuddles on the hammock.
• We got new baby chicks. You wanted to name yours Owlette since we didn't get to keep your other Owlette chicken. You are so funny with them. Some days, we freak out when they sit on you, but then the next day I can't get you to stop dragging that thing all over the yard. I am surprised that you haven't squeezed one to death yet. 
• This picture makes me laugh. You came outside it a crazy combination of dress up clothes and insisted on taking Owlette onto the hammock with us. You crack me up.
• This month, we made it down to Utah. We went down for family photos with all the cousins. The weather was great that weekend and we spent so much time outside playing. The night that all the cousins were over, you guys were outside playing until 10 pm (well past dark). Jane came over for one of the days and she loved having you tag along. On the last day, we took Grandma and Grandpa to Dinosaur Park in Ogden. You were so young when we moved that you don't remember any of it. It was fun to watch you play there like it was the first time for you. 

Four.One Years

 4.1

• Your birthday was a lot of fun. We invited over 9 of your friends for a Mira Royal Detective party. It is one of your favorite shows on Disney Junior right now. I can not make a cake to save my life, so I had you decorate it to make it special. You swirl pink and blue icing all over the top and then dumped the whole bottle of gold sprinkles on top. We stuck a picture of Mira on top and called it a master piece. When your friends got here, we decorated mini detective journals with more stickers than you could ever use. We solved the case of the missing bowl fo chocolate (we got it eat it once we found it!). We played pin the badge on Mira, hit the balloon with a pool noodle into the basket, and this fun hop scotch Indian game. We finished with lunch of hot dogs, Mac-n-cheese, apples, and carrots-your favorite, though not very Indian. It was exactly what you wanted.
• For your birthday, Dad and I got you a new ice cream maker play dough set and a drawing LED tablet for the car and church. Maggie got you a Polly Pocket castle. Sam gave you Frozen art supplies. Grandma and Papa Price got you a cute purse and Grandma and Papa Matthews got you a camera. 
• You were spoiled in the fact that you got to be part of the other kids parties. Sam had a surf gun party. One of the games involved me shooting the gun at them. You wanted to be included, but after the first one shot you, you started to cry. At Maggie's party, you loved drinking the butter beer and watching with the big girls the experiments outside. 
• A highlight of this month was that Grandma and Papa Price got to come out for a weekend. You love them so much. Grandma played board games with you and did lots of crafts. You made sure that Grandma stuck you in each night. 
• Probably the best thing of the month was going to Florida!!! It was awesome. We stayed right on the beach. The first half of the week, we were in Pensacola Beach and the weather was great. We met up with our friends a lot, who have a boy your age. You guys hit it off right away. One day, we spent the whole day on the beach. It was fun to swim with you, bury you in the sand, and build sand castle. We also went to the zoo where we fed the birds, goats, and giraffe. I think we hung out at the hot tub at least once, if not twice a day. The second half of the week, we were in Destin. The favorite activity there for you kids were racing the go karts. After watching All Around Champion, you guys thought it was awesome to drive the cars. We also rented a boat and rode around the bay. It was a colder day, but we still managed to jump off the side and see jelly fishes. We also saw dolphins! We ate a ton of seafood- surprisingly, you really liked all of it, though the last day, you just wanted a hot dog. Even weeks later, you are still talking about the trip. 

Four Years Old

 4 Years Old!!!

Dear Millie,

        I wanted to take this time on birthday and tell you how much I love you. You are the sparkle and glitter in my life. I feel so blessed to have such a sweet and loving girl. I love this year that I get to spend more time with you. Millie, you are so good about thinking of others. Whenever you have a treat, you get so much joy with sharing with others. I think about JoJo and get her snacks to keep her happy. You are always thinking about me and daddy and giving us such sweet notes. I love you so much for it.
Millie, I love how much you love to cuddle and share physical love with me and others. It warms my heart so much to cuddle with you each morning after the big kids go to school. When you were hurting with your tonsils, it made me feel special that you wanted me right by you. You let everyone around you know that they are loved. 
Millie, you are an incredible girl with such a strong light among you. I love you more than chocolate.
Love, 
Mom

Three.Eleven Years

3.11 Years

• This has been a really fun month. We had some really good snow one Saturday, but not enough to open up Snow Haven, so we met the Strasser family up there to go tubing. The city had groomed the hill so it was perfect, just had to hike up to the top. The Strasser had one of those really big jet sleds that Dad took all of you younger ones down once. You liked it, but it was a bit fast for you. Instead, you, Lainey, Gus, and Annie found a tiny hill at the bottom that you would all go down together. We brought a stove to cook up some hot chocolate. It was a really fun day.
• Dad was on call over Martin Luther King weekend. The big kids had a four day weekend from school. I wanted to take you all to Oregon, but Sonora's family came down with round two of COVID so we stayed home instead. That Friday, we got up early and went to Lewiston to hit up Gymnastic 360. It was awesome. You were brave enough to jump into the foam pit (took you a bit though). Me and you loved running down the bouncy stripe. While is Lewiston, you spent your Christmas money and bought a Barbie Spa and a little stuffed dog. On Saturday, we had the Strasser come over for 4 hours, playing, eating dinner, and watching Upside Down Magic. Sunday was a calm day at home. Monday, we met up with friends at Jungle gyms while Dad slept. It wasn't the weekend we planed, but we had a lot of fun.
• JoJo is finally good enough with her walking that the three of us can go outside in the afternoons and play a bit. The snow hasn't hit us yet so we still have been going for walks, pulling out the trucks to play in the rocks, and pushing you girls on the swing. You love it when I push you down the street on your red trike.
• One of the MAs at dad's work gave you girls a color street nail kit. There was enough for all three of us girls to match. Your's lasted about 6 hours before you started picking at it. It was cute while it lasted.
• One Sunday, we were all at home listening to church, when I looked over to what you were drawing in the notebook. You were writing your name all by yourself. I had no idea that you could do that. We were all so excited for you. You were beaming with all of us praising you for your hard work.
• The big news this month was that you had your tonsils out. We left at 5am Monday morning to go up there (Colfax). I was nervous that you weren't going to fall back asleep once we were in the car, but it all worked out perfectly. You slept the whole way up there and I listened to my story the whole time. The hospital was nice that we went to. They had a TV in the day surgery room where you got to watch cartoons. You wanted me to cuddle in the bed with you. The actually surgery was super short. They had be go back to the recovery room for after you woke up, but after you "woke up", you fell asleep. You were so sweet and peaceful looking. You woke up really happy. We gave you lots of popsicles and apple juice. We left right before lunch. I didn't know how hungry you were going to be (when Sam came home from his, he ate 5 packets of oatmeal). We stopped by McDonalds and got you a chocolate milk and I had a yogurt and apple sauce for you. Right before Cottonwood, all that chocolate milk hit you wrong and you threw up everywhere. It was so gross and I felt awful for you. Dad was home with JoJo, so we were able to get you into the shower right away. You have been looking forward to having a whole week of watching movies and eating popsicles. The first day, you were great, but day three came around and you really started to hurt. It didn't help that you lost your appetite so overall you were weak from not eating. Around day 10, you hit a good day and it has been fine since then. 

 

Three.Ten Months

3.10 Years

• This was a magical month with you. I love this age during Christmas time. Santa is so real, the lights are breath taking, and every treat is the best in the world (that one is still true for me). We didn't end up writing letters to Santa this year, but focused more on serving others. We did the straw in the manger. Whoever you got, you always drew them a picture with lots of hearts on it. Another thing we did was go through our books and give some to the lending library. We went to the nursing home and decorated the windows (though it was cold for you so you stayed in the van after a while and listened to toddler music). 
• One of the best things we did was hunt down Santa on a first truck. Every night for the month of December, Santa drives through town on a lighted up fire truck playing Christmas music. Dad was on call, so we thought it would be a good night to drive around to see the lights and see Santa. We would drive a few blocks, stop, roll down the windows in the cold, and everyone had to be so silent to see if we could hear him. After about 15 minutes, you said you heard something. Sure enough, it was on the other side of town and we tracked him down. We pulled over and all ran out to the sidewalk. You were so excited to see the real Santa and that you were able to tell him "I hope you have a good night!"
• We hosted the preschool Christmas party where you dressed up and reenacted the nativity story. You played the shepherd and Gus was your sheep. It was funny watching you try to herd him around. We had a big lunch with all the moms which gave you kids lots of extra playing time. They left us a manger scene kit to make like a gingerbread house. 
• We tried to make Christmas Ever fancy and spiritual. We had calm chowder in bread bowls, We used the German candle spinner thing (which you loved) and busted out the nicer Christmas plates and cloth napkins. You love helping set the table all fancy with me. We read the scriptures, reenact the nativity with your siblings (you were the angel), and opened your pj pants. After you were in bed, we could hear Santa running across the backyard, so you girls quickly went to bed.
• Christmas morning was wonderful. Santa Brough you a doll. You named her Ally. She came with a bunch of accessories, which will last probably about two days before getting lost. You love her and have carried her around the whole house. It is special because Maggie has a doll so now it is something that you girls can share together. Dad and I gave you a new heart sweater and unicorn skirt, a few picture books, and a pick sleeping bag. Maggie gave you those bracelets that turn into a unicorn toy and Sam gave you. . .I can't remember. I will have to ask you. You ate so much candy in the morning. It was fun.
• We left right after lunch for a fast trip to Utah. We crammed a week worths of activities into four days. We stayed with Grandma and Papa Matthews. We were able to have special night with them while the big kids had a sleep over at cousins house. We visited Bonnie's house and went sledding with all your Matthews cousins. One of your favorite things was going down south to hang out with your Price cousin, where we went swimming. They had a fun splash area with slides. You weren't technically suppose to go in the hot tub, but we were able to soak our feet in it. 

Three.Nine Months

 3.9 Months

• This month has been full of dance, reading, and preschool. You absolutely love dance. It has been great girl time and something special for you, especially since you see your big siblings getting special activities. Your friend Cecily is in your class, so often, we swap houses afterwards to give you girls more time to play with each other afterwards. We couldn't hold the big performance on the school stage due to COVID, but you still were able to preform for all the parents in the studio. Oh my goodness, I think I died of cuteness overload. I put a bit of makeup on you. You were just beaming all day long. I loved it. 
• We had our Thanksgiving preschool lesson here. I had you kids help make corn bread and then eat it for the snack afterwards. It was a big hit. I love watching you with your friends. You truly are so kind, fun, and happy girl. I love how you include everyone. You eager to do all the activities. You are very obedient and a learn listener, but with the right amount of giggles. 
• One of your absolute family activity/game is playing family. I have to laugh because most of the time, you want me to be the mom. So how is this any different than real life? There is also I fine balance between adding my input to the game (can't do too much because you are the boss of the game), but I can't do nothing because then you complain that I am not playing. We usually end up cooking food with the play kitchen or doing a check up with the doctor kit. 
• Since we sometimes have Maggie be in charge while I run a quick errand, you have taken in upon yourself to "be the babysitter" to JoJo when I am in the shower. Most the time it is cute, like you getting her a cheese stick or reading her books. Other times, I think you are basking in the opportunity that you are actually older than someone and I hear a lot of "no JoJo"
• Reading is going. We have our good days and we can have some struggles. I chose to take the whole week of Thanksgiving off to give you a rest. You are having a hard time remembering the 'i' and 'n' sounds. You have a harder time grasping this than your siblings, but I remind myself that this is not a race and you are still way a head most kids here. 
• Thanks giving was fun. We went over the the Kohrmans for dinner. They have older children who were so awesome to play and color with you. Your favorite part of the dinner was the olives, pickles, and chocolate pie.