Five Years Old

 5 Years Old

Dear Millie, 

Today you turn five. You were so excited to be a whole hand now, but even more excited that you are old enough to start Kindergarten after the summer. We celebrated by having a princess tea party with your kids. We invited some boys, so they came dressed up as knights and one was a Star Wars character. We played games like pin the nose on Olaf, Snow White's hot potato game with an apple (they had to fall asleep if they end up with the apple and I would "wake"them up with a kiss-hershey's kiss), blind man's buff, rescue the princess scavenger hunt, and ended with making fancy tea cups for our tea party. Each of your friends adore you because you are so good about being kind and including everyone. Today, Sunday, you requested store bought oatmeal for breakfast, mac-n-cheese with hot dogs for lunch, fancy ramen for dinner, and molten lava cakes for dessert. We watched Enchanted (your first time). It has been so good to have this special time to show you extra love. 

I love you so much Millie. I love how you are such a caring sister. There have been many times where you take JoJo downstairs and play barbies or babies with her so I can make dinner. You are always proud to be her sister. When she comes to your leader day, you take the time to have her come up with you to count the numbers and always find a sit next to you for her to sit. This all comes back to your caring and nurturing nature. You are going to grow up to be an amazing mother.

Millie, I also love how happy you are with life. Sometimes, life can get boring, running around on errands or visiting an older couple with me. You are so good about finding fun moments wherever you are. You are an awesome buddy to have, asking to play 20 questions when I curl your hair or riding the lift up at Snow Haven. You love coming up with creative ideas (also very messy ideas too). The other day, you were making a baby hotel. You even made me money to spend at it. At night, when you should be reading books in bed, there have been time where you sneak out and play. The other day, I found a whole bed set up in the storage room. When I asked you about it, you told me you did it the night before. 

Millie, I love how you do hard things. The reading lessons were a real push for you. I noticed that you have a slight dyslexia which made getting it down a lot harder and a slower process. You kept at it all year. When you finished, you were so proud of yourself. Even now, we have finished set 4 and set 5 of the bob book series and are reading actually picture books. I love hearing you call yourself a reader. Another time when you have done hard things with with your room. Oh boy, it can get messy. I try to help you here and there so it doesn't get too out of control. But on those times that it is, you are good about taking it one task at a time without complaining. 

Millie, I love every bit of you. I love cuddling on the couch in the mornings before breakfast because you need a few minutes to wake up. I love how you need to give me a hug and a kiss to calm down. I love how you will sit by the window waving goodbye to your friends until their car is over the hill. I like working on puzzles with you and having you tell me silly stories. You have brought not only me but all those you are with so much joy in our lives. I look forward to seeing you continue to grow up to be the person that God wants you to be.

Love, 

Mom

Four.Eleven Years

 4.11

• For the last two months, I had a puzzle going on in my room that was really challenging. You always kept asking to help me, but it was just too hard. This month, we found a puzzle that was just right for you and Sam to work on. I brought the card table into the kitchen and had you guys work on it here and there. You finished it in three days. I really liked how it was something that you and Sam enjoyed together. 
• We had a few warm days which melted the top layer of snow. Then it dropped over night, leading it all to froze over. It made for some awesome frozen "lakes" all along our road. We went on our Sunday walk and it was so fun seeing you kids pretending to ice skate all over the place. You loved stomping through the gutters and cracking the ice. 
• Grandma and Papa Matthews came up to watch you guys for a week while dad and I went to Mexico. You had so much fun with them. We left on a Saturday. That day, they took you bowling and then to the movies to see Sing 2. On Sunday, you played more board games than I can imagine. Monday there was no school. You guys were able to go to Jungle Gyms and play. I know that Grandma took you to the dollar store and bought craft supplies. I am so glad that you got this special time with them.
• Snow Haven has been a big hit with our family this year. We got a gift card for the tubing hill, so we went as a family. Since JoJo was too little to go down, we took turns watching her. We also have been skiing as a whole family again. You kept wanting to go down the left side, which is steeper and is more narrow. I wiped out each time going down, but you were awesome and loved the speed. Another favorite area of yours is the jump trail in the trees. You kept practicing it and at the year, you were so excited to go down it with Maggie so she could see how much you have improved. 
• According to Millie-favorite food: Mac-n-cheese, favorite treat: blondies with chocolate chips in them (Grandma made you some), favorite book: Doc McStuffin Books, favorite song: Kids bop Kids, favorite TV show: Elena, favorite movie: Sleeping Beauty, favorite indoor activity: crafts, favorite outdoor activity: playing pirates on the play structure, and favorite friend: Lainey.

Four.Ten Years

 4.10 Years

• We got to see your dance concert at the beginning of the month. You had on this bluff, fluffy blue tutu. You did great in your dance. Since you are the oldest girl in your class, you were really focused and did a great job staying on the beat and doing each of the moves. We celebrated by going to get hamburgers for lunch afterwards.
• We have had a lot of fun with all the different Christmas tradition. Dad and Sam came home from the store with a gingerbread house kit. We each got to decorate one of the walls. We have four different advent day calendars going, so we have you all rotate which ones you pick. We have a Harry Potter Lego one, the tree with a piece of chocolate in each slot, the hanging of the nativity piece and then the activity board. Some of the activities that we have done are write a letter to Ben on his mission, have a Christmas dance party, open a present with a new Christmas book, and of course leave your shoes out for the elves. Connor, our elf that comes each year, even left a letter for you all. For red ribbon dinner, instead of individually gifts, we opened just one for the whole family. It was exploding kittens, a game that you all feel in loved with over Thanksgiving at Dusty and Janecce's. 
• We went to Utah before Christmas this year. We made it just in time to watch the Nut Cracker ballet with the girl cousins. When we lived in Ogden Maggie and I would go each year with Jane and Laura. Well, you were old enough to come this year. We all met at Lucky Slice for lunch and then walked over to the Theater to watch it. I am amazed at how much you liked it. I think you spent most of the show on my lao, which I didn't mind. On Sunday, we got to meet up with all the family for the big party. This year, you had Tally for the gift exchange. You picked out some pink earrings and candy for her. Bonnie had you and gave you these scrubby animals. Grandma and Papa of course gave you and Bonnie the biggest in size gift. This year, it was a huge package of ponies. It was a great trip overall.
• We had almost a week before actually Christmas and we spent a lot of that time sledding with friends. We had the Strasser, Stones, and the neighbor kids over. It was fun just to play all week.
• Christmas came! Dad was on call, so we had to work around his schedule. For Christmas Eve, I let you kids pick out the dinner. We had a shrimp platter, homemade ciabatta bread, cheese plate, and artichokes. It was awesome. We acted out the Nativity (silly style) and found new slippers under the star for We Three Kings. Dad went back to work while we watched a movie. We set up ground rules so no one was going to wake up at 5am. I blocked the stairs and had you call me at 7am at the earliest. Joke on us because Dad couldn't get back from work until 9:00am. I snuck downstairs and played games, read books, watched some shows. I brought a box of cereal down to keep our tummies at bay (which lead to lots of cereal all over the floor). We finally got to go up. Santa brought you Encanto barbies, a little lego set, and funny trinkets in your stocking. Dad and I got you a light brite, two dresses (one matches JoJo's), and a set of Princess in Black books. Maggie gave you an unicorn pj set for your doll Allie, Sam gave you a bath bomb with hair bows and JoJo gave you an electric toothbrush. We also you you kids a subscription to Kiwi Crates and a laser tag set. It was a good day. 
• Since there was so much snow over the break, Snow Haven was opened up. Dad took you and me up. It was so fun to learn how to ski with you. And then on New Years Day, we got a sitter for JoJo and all five of us went skiing. Dad spent the morning with you and then I got to go down with you and watch you do your snakes. On our last run, the lift stopped. We were almost to the top, so we decided just to hop off and go down the blue hill. I was so nervous about going but you just did the widest pizza (snow plow) that I had even seen and just went straight down the hill. I was so impressed. 
• Other fun activities that we did during the break-swimming at the hotel, finishing up my puzzle that has been set up for a few weeks in my room, watch lots of movies, read lots of Princess in Black, tons of legos, and enjoyed the snow a lot. It was a good break.
• Super duper exciting news-you finished all 100 reading lessons in your book! You worked so hard on it. It took you 15 months and came out such a confident reader. I am really proud of you with sticking with it.
  
  
  
  

Four.Nine Years

 4.9 Years

• 
  It was parent watch week at ballet and JoJo and I were able to watch you do your dance. Well, I watched you and JoJo wanted to join you (she wants to do anything that you are doing). I love seeing you so happy. You are more attentive this year so you are doing your dance better. 
• Each week after dance, we swap playdates with Cecily. One week she will come here for two hours and then the next week you go over there. You two will rush down stairs and I often don't see you until lunch. I went down to check in and you both had dressed up (you in your old costume and Cecily in your church dress). You had the song Classic by Mkto blasting while jumping up and down the bed. I was laughing so hard because it just reminds me of early teenage years. 
• Preschool with Miss Stephanie is going really well. You had another leader day, where me and JoJo got to go and hang out with you for the morning. I love seeing you with your new friends, eager to learn, following the rules so well, but at the same time, with sneak a bit of trouble with the twins (Lane and Lucas). 
• We went to Oregon for 8 days over Thanksgiving. We were suppose to stay with Grandma for the first half, but they ended up with COVID, so we stayed with Aunt Janecce and Uncle Dusty for the whole time. You loved all the Sonora time. We got there Saturday night, just in time for dinner and the BYU game. Sunday, we went to church with them and watch the kids in their primary program. We went to Champoeg State park for a nice nature walk that ended up being five miles. Annie and Joe's family came over for a birthday celebration that night. On Monday, we left you with Sonora so you could do her preschool Thanksgiving celebration. We took you to Annie's that night with you got to play video games and watch a movie while we went out to eat as adults. Tuesday, Hailey came over to Janecce's and babysat you while Dad and I went to the temple and Janecce had her workout session. Tuesday night, Josh's family joined the group and the party began. Wednesday, we went to the high school and played dodgeball and soccer. You cousins had a movie night. Thursday, we went to the park and played while the boys played football. We went to the movies that afternoon and saw Encanto (which you liked!). We pushed Thanksgiving dinner back to Friday so Grandma and Papa could join us (just finished their 10 days). Beforehand, we went to the church and played floor hockey and chair soccer. You, Sonora, and the little girls tried playing at the beginning, but ended up playing family in the nursery room. Dinner was great and it was so good to have everyone. Saturday, we met Grandma, Papa, Josh's, and Annie's family to go to a Christmas tree farm and get a tree. It was fun to have Papa's old truck for you all to ride in the back of. Uncle Joe brought donuts and we were finished before the rain started. We did get to spend that night at Grandma's, which was good because you girls got to do crafts and help decorate her tree. We left the next morning. It was a great vacation.
• Funny story: we had you fall asleep on my bed at Janecce's and then carry you over to the other room because you had too hard of a time falling asleep with JoJo-you two would just play. Well, when dad and I went in to carry you over. I pulled down the blanket and you were butt naked. You had taken off your night gown and underwear before falling asleep. When I asked you about it the next morning, you smiled and told me you got hot. Silly Millie. 
  

Four.Eight Years

 4.8 Years

• We were able to make it to Utah for a week. It was a good mix of Grandma time and cousin time. We went hiking in the mountains to see the pretty colors, raked leaves and painted pumpkins, visited cousins, shopped, went through a haunted maze, go to the Tree House Museum, and tailed gate the BYU game (you got to go back with Grandma while Dad and I stayed). 
• We celebrated JoJo's birthday by taking little Sam and Nora to Creme Cafe and playing in their leaves, we made her a fish cake, and you game her a wooden puzzle, which she really likes.
• I wanted to make Halloween special this year, since we wouldn't be going trick-o-treating being on a Sunday. We hosted a party for all your friends. I counted 18 kids over at our house. Every came dressed up. We had chili and root beer. The house was all decorated for it. We played three games, the candy dice game, rally race with finding stuff in the "guts" bucket, and eating donut off the string. We ended the night by watching Addams family.
• Wrestling season is happening, which is taking up every Saturday for the month. Since other friends usually come, it hasn't been too bad for you. You hang out in the bleachers, eat lots of snacks, and you are great at going down and cheering on Sam when it is his turn. 
• Halloween Eve (the day we choose to celebrate it) was spent at the Grangeville Wrestling Tournament. We zipped you over to Terri's house afterwards because she had her grandkids over decorating cookies. We quickly got into our costumes (you were happy, cute ghost) and went over to the church for Trunk-o-treating. We ended the night with friends over for dinner and watching the BYU game. We let you stay up with everyone until 11pm to finish the game. I was so glad to not go out the next day and just rest at home.
• Grandma and Papa Price came for a long weekend. We went to the pool, walked around town for the story walk, had a movie night with popcorn, watch Sam wrestle, ate at the Mexican Restaurant, and did lots of crafts, games, and books. 

Four.Seven Years

 4.7 Years

• Soccer season is in full swing. Although you were still too young to play this year you love having four days a week where you can go run around with friends. I really have no idea where you go, but you love it. Mabel Schwartz seem to be a favorite friend right now, though I still find you with Lainey and Annie. 
• Sister Lutz from the ward invited us to come by her house to jump on her carnival jumping ride before packing it up for the season. It has a trampoline and the bungee straps that make you fly into the air. You got to go on it twice. You loved it. She even made ice cream sandwiches beforehand to share with you kids.
• You have been begging for a late night with your friends for a long time. We finally found a night where we could do it. We had the Lainey, Gus, Annie, and Cecily over. You kids played outside for a long time. We then had an ice cream bar for you to chose which toppings you want (all of the toppings of course!). We finished with watching the movie Peter Pan since you had never watched it before. You loved having your moment.
• Dance has started. We put you into beginners ballet again with your friend Cecily. I love how we swap playing at each other's house afterwards. Even though you are doing preschool three days a week, you are constantly asking for friends to come over. This helps give you unstructured friend time each week. 
• While Maggie and I got to go to California for the weekend, Dad got to spend the weekend with you guys. He had all these fun plans for you guys, but then one of his patients went into labor. There was a lot of back and forth to the hospital He took you guys out for breakfast to try to still make it special. For the actually delivery, you got to go back to the Stones. On Sunday, he was able to sneak you guys off to Winchester for a fishing trip since the weather was really nice. I love hearing all the funny names that you give the fish that you catch and eat. 
• Once a month, I get to go help out in your preschool class. It was your turn to be leader for the day. You loved showing me all the fun things you play, walking to the playground for a recess, and bringing in energy balls and bananas for snacks. JoJo even got to go and play with you.
• We were able to make it to Utah for a week. It was a good mix of Grandma time and cousin time. We went hiking in the mountains to see the pretty colors, raked leaves and painted pumpkins, visited cousins, shopped, went through a haunted maze, and tailed gate the BYU game (your to to g back with Grandma while Dad and I stayed). It was a great trip. 

Four.Six Months

 4.6 Months

• This was another whirlwind of a month, but we can't complain when it is full of people and fun. We had our friends, the Wynn's, come and visit us. They use to live here, but moved to Utah over a year ago. We went to the river with them. It was a hot day, so it felt goo to get in the water. Then that night, we had a few friends from the ward come over for dinner. You loved running around with little Sam. We ended the night going to the drive in to watch the new Space Jam movie. I have to mention that we have had many big days and late nights this summer, and you have won the title of best sleeper. Many days, you will sleep in until 8-9am. You have been so flexible with everything. 
• After our friends left, we took off for CDA for our yearly Silverwood trip. We stayed in a hotel the night before so we could go swimming in the hot tub (you all time favorite). before Silverwood, we were able to do some back-to-school shopping. Silverwood was really fun. You loved all the rides. The highlight was that you went on the Thunder rollercoaster with me. I asked if you wanted to go (you had just barely reached the height requirement). After seeing Maggie freak out over the other ride, you were super chilled about going. Everyone on the ride was surprised to see this 4 year old just happily get on a scary rollercoaster. The ride took off and you were bounced all over the place. When we stopped, you weren't scared or sad, you simply looked at me and said, "I didn't like that." I couldn't believe it. You were a rock star. 
• Your best friends Lainey and Gus's mom was about to have a baby, so we decided to throw a baby shower/birthday party for the twins. It was a mermaid and shark theme. We set up an awesome slip-n-slide out in the pasture, and the Stones brought over kiddie pools to put at the bottom of the slide. It was a big hit. We played a few relay type games, ate cake, and ended with a piñata for all the kids your age. 
• We took off that weekend for Oregon. I was looking forward to this trip. We haven't made it out to Oregon in a year, so it felt good to be back at Grandma's house. That Saturday, you got some girl/grandma time while Grandpa took Sam, Dad, and I out yard sale-ing. After lunch, we picked up Lainey and Auntie Annie and Uncle Joe and headed out to the beach. It was cold there, so we definitely did not go in the water. But we had fun collecting shells, flying the kite, and playing in the sand. We finished the day eating calm chowder and bread sticks at Mo's. On Sunday, we went to church, where you saw Sonora for the first time. Oh boy, you girls were so talkative and excited all during sacrament. They cam over to grandma's house that afternoon, where we got to celebrate Annie's and Brooklyn's birthdays. Monday, we played around the house. In the afternoon, we went back to Lainey's house to go swimming in their pool. Grandma took you younger kids home for some quiet time before bed. Tuesday was our last day before going home. You really loved playing in the sand box with your cousins, going down the zip line, and eating blackberries. 
• When we got back, Grandma and Grandpa Matthews came for a visit. We stayed home for most of their visit because they really wanted to just be with you guys. Grandma played lots of board games with you guys. Us girls snuck out for a quick girls date to Creme. We even snuck down to the river for dinner and dad teaching you guys how to skip a rock. During their visit, we had friends, the Barbers, stop by for one night. They have a girl name Rose that you loved playing with so much. You girls would ran all over outside, play barbies and dress up. 
• We were sad for Grandma and Grandpa to leave, but we had only one more week before school started. The pool was closed so we had mostly a chill week. You kids played a lot of legos, listen to a lot of audio books (you favorite right now it Dragon Master). We made a trip to Lewiston where we got to go to Gynmastic 360. 
• This whole month, you have been asking how many more days until school starts. Well, school finally started for you. You are going to Noah's ark for PreK with Miss Stephanie. You are so excited. You already have four friends in there. This is going to be a great year for you.