My Dear Parks

Parks-

Today is Sunday.
You are crazy about Sundays. You get to go to Sunday school and see your friends. However, you do not love Sacrament, as it is a time to be more reverent. :) Sundays are also the day that you get to see your cousins and/or your grandparents. Every Sunday we are at Mamma and Papa's or Gammy and Grandpa's house. It's similar to a custody battle.
Recently you have decided that your favorite color is officially orange, and you desire all things to be orange So, for Easter, I re-decorated your bathroom with more pops of Orange, and told you that the Easter Bunny surprised you with a little more of your favorite color. I thought you would be more enthusiastic about the Orange, but in the moment you just wanted to know where your Easter basket was! :)
Since you started going to Pre-school your vocabulary has grown tremendously. It's refreshing to be able to explain and understand things from you, There were moments of frustration in the past that I could not understand what you needed and/or wanted.
Your birthday is coming up on May 16th, and you are thrilled about it. Your dad and I have realized how badly you are craving a bike and have decided that we are going to purchase one for you this year.I adore that you are old enough to where you yearn for certain holidays and gifts... it creates such a refreshing and exciting feeling in our home.
You are still such a busy body and want to always play outside. You ride your scooter, play in the river, and delight in swimming.
On occasion you will come up to me just to give me loves and that totally melts my heart & helps me recall the exact reasons I chose to become a wife and mother.

Parks and Tracen

Happy Sunday my little peanut... xoxo

Dear Boys

Today.
Today was eventful. :)
We ran errands all morning. Both of you have been sick with colds. Parks, you have been sick for about a week now and are still coughing. =/ Total Bummer. I hate when you boys are sick.
Today, Parks, we went to Swig and got you your favorite ice to chew on, and a hot dog with a Root Beer from Costco. You delight in both of these. You often ask to go to Costco just for their hot dogs. You shared your hot dog with your brother and when you'd forget to give him a piece he'd yell at ya for some more! Your favorite thing is to pick on your brother. I have to say, though, I think this is a big-bro type of thing-- BUT I am hoping you grow out of it a bit! ;)
Tracen, you are such a goof. You generally consider yourself to be at least a year older then you are. You assume you are able to do everything your brother can do. It's no wonder you have a goose egg on your head and little tiny scratches on your hands. You are a little dare devil... and I am starting to worry that people are going to think I don't watch you carefully enough or that I abuse you. ;)
You each are very much your own person and it's amusing to watch each of your personalities grow and mature.
Parks, Mommy & Daddy still call you "P"-- along with a stream of other nicknames. However, you are not keen on the idea of anyone else calling you that. I think it's because your cousin teased you about your nickname. :)
Tracen, Mommy & Daddy often call you "Tray-bug". This seems to have stuck through all of your family, as your brother even calls you "bug".
Anyhow, here's a few a little notes from today... I will write more to you both soon.
With love,
Mommy

Dear Parks

Parks,
You are almost 4 years old.
Some days, I look back at everything and think about how much things have changed and how far we have all come. Over the years, your dad and I have fallen in love all over again. I feel that us becoming parents has shown off an entirely different side of each of us... and your Daddy is such an amazing father. He loves you more and more every day.
You are such a bright young boy, and you have taught me so much. (Patience would be at the top of that list!!! =) I am so grateful to you.
You like to have drawn out conversations in  the car and they are full of everything to: What., Where, When and How's!! You are so intrigued by the world around you, and you are so ready to learn.
Every week your vocabulary gets bigger and bigger, and on certain occasions I am often very surprised by how well you understand certain situations.
Parks, your Mommy is a person who is often worried about everyone around her-- sometimes, I think you are very much like me in that manner. :)
I adore the way you "Shake your Bum" and dance around the house, and the way you want to be "like SO funny!"
You are such a great older brother.
Today we went to the splash park. You always love being out doors and relishing in the sun.
I observed you playing with other kids and enjoying yourself... I can recall the days of no worries or regrets. Enjoy these freeing moments as they do not last forever....
Thanks for being who you are and loving life. It's such a great quality.
Each day I recognize something I can learn from you.
I try to remind myself often of your great qualities and to let them shine.
Thanks for choosing me as your Momma.
xoxo
Love, Mommy.

Dear Tracen

My little baby boy... today you are almost 13 months old. 
I recently decided that it was time that I start writing to you and your brother.
I can not believe how fast time has gone. 

I can still remember the first moments, hours, 

and days after you were born. 

I don't ever recall thinking that you looked much like your older brother, however, 

you look very much like an Irvine. 

You have always been fairly cuddly, and up until recently, 

you only wanted me, your momma!!
I am so glad that you chose me as your Momma, 

and I pray I will raise you up in the correct manner so the Lord will be proud. 
You, Tray, are such a happy little bundle. 

I really love your laugh and the way you mock everyone around you. 

You attempt to beat-box, cackle, blow kisses, and play peak-a-boo.
Right now your vocabulary is growing quite quickly! You can say: 

Momma, Dadda, Parks (Paw), 

No no, knock-knock, 

More (Moe), and Bath (ba)!! 

However, child, you can scream!! 

You often scream when you are hungry, want attention, do not want to do something, 

when your stuck, not getting your way, 

dont want your bum changed.... etc, etc.. 

We gotta work on that one!! 

I cant get over how much fun you are some days.

Your Daddy and I often say that we love having two boys! Thanks for bringing us

so much joy.
Tray, i just wanted to mention, one last time, 

how proud I am to be your mother! Here is to more letters in the future... 

to you and your brother!