I wish I had their brains

These kids I tell ya! Sharp as tacks. I am amazed every single day about what they can remember. Let me give you some back history on the story I am about to share. Way back in August of 2012, when little g was only 6 months old, my sister and her family came to vist. My awesome neighbor had blown up the water slide and invited the kids over to use it. We got everyone sunbathed and screened up and headed outside. As soon as we got outside a HUGE storm started brewing and it sent us packing back in. At this age, Lila had just turned 3 and was still pretty scared of storms. Needless to say she was a little worried, but didn't act too out of the ordinary. Well, she has talked about that storm many times over the course of the last almost 4 years. Today, I pull out her folder from school and they were practicing writing a letter. This is what I found:

Apparently it made a bigger impact on her than any of us realized so long ago. This came after riding in the car this morning and Graham tells Lila that tomorrow is Bike Day at his preschool. Lila got very excited and said, "Oh I remember bike day! Mommy, is that the day I wore my froggy shirt?" I about spit out my drink. I have no idea honey. With your memory, it probably was. I don't know why I am surprised that she would remember what she wore 2 years ago on bike day considering I am the same way, but it sure caught me off guard. A friend of mine was over and while we are preparing for a yard sale, I tell her both of these stories about Lila. We walk back out to our garage and sister sees a little Elmo toy. She excitedly proclaims, "NOW THIS BRINGS BACK MEMORIES! I remember playing with the toy and Graham had a his silver train that he got from his 3rd birthday choochoo train party and he dropped it on my foot!" We could not stop laughing. I use to pride myself on my memory, but like they say, mine is fading fast!

Memories

Oh, my sweet precious babies! Yes, I still call all of you my babies.
Lila Rose, no matter how old you get, you will always be my 1st little baby.
I look at you now....you've gotten so tall and long and you look like such a grown up little girl. I wonder every day where in the world our time has gone. You are so smart and SOOOO funny! You make me laugh everyday. But no matter how independant you are and how grown up you are, you will always be my baby girl!
Since I have been a bad blogger, I just want to write down a few things about you at this stage.
You are a singer. You love to make up your own songs.
You LOVE your brothers...mainly Garrison right now. :)
We call you a patter, because you are always patting, boinking, and bopping on your brothers.
You still have your imaginary friends: Mina,Heidi,Floppa, Gayden, Ava, Lou Lou, and Jaken. Oh, and let's not forget Coco. He is really Graham's, but you have included him as your own. Mainly, you just talk to Mina. You named your baby dolls Caroline and Lila. You moved upstairs to your own room and a REAL big girl queen sized bed. Not once have you even hesitated about staying up there. You are such a big big girl.
Somethings that have never changed is that you do not sit still and you put everything in your mouth! You are just like your grandmother.

Graham boy. Oh my sweet sweet lover boy. You give the absolute best hugs and kisses. I seriously can't get enough of you. Errrr..did I really just say that? Even when you drive me batty, you flash me that grin of yours and I just melt. You are such a stinker, but an adorable one at that. You LOVE your sister and want her around. When she is in time out for doing something to you, you go and find her and ask me if she can come out. You are also a wonderful big brother. Garrison adores you and you are so good about playing with him. You love to hide under your blankie and have him chase you. You are such a little boy. According to grandmother it is a good thing because of your gorgeous long locks. Your hair is out of control, but I love it! The best 75 bucks we've ever spent was on your Gator. You love that thing and want to ride it everyday. Actually, you like Coben's better than yours, of course. You are a really really good driver, except for when you like to watch your wheels as you drive and run in to a few things. You are learning so much at school and adore your teacher. We still joke about the time that you were being a toot for mommy at home and daddy was talking to you about it and how you were not being a good boy. Your response: "I a good boy for Miss Fawis." She promises me that you are a perfect kid at school. I am so glad. Although, I have probably given him a bad rap for having his temper trantrums, I can honestly say I have really enjoyed his 2nd year of life. (Don't get me even thinking about the fact that he is 2 1/2.) This boy can dance and sing. Somethings he does that I just love that make me grin are how he LAYS BACK with his hands behind his head. This boy LOVES him some TV and he likes to relax while watching. He also scratches his little bow legged booty when he takes his diaper off. I often crack up at him when he throws his arms across his chest as if he is huffing when we ask him to do something he doesn't want to do. I wish I could blog the way he says "OOOOKAY" He is a funny funny boy. You are still addicted to all things trucks, cars, and vehicles. However, you have also recently developed a love of Batman and Spiderman. You make the motions for spinning your web and sing loudly dana nananan BATMAN in the middle of the store. Speaking of loud....you and your sister get the award. Both of your voices must carry more than anyone elses.

Garrison Garrison Garrison. Oh me oh my! The Lord truly does love us so much and has blessed us with the best baby every....YOU! Now granted, I am quite exhausted and besides your lack of sleeping through the night (which was my own doing), you are the best thing. I don't remember life without you and I honestly feel as though life is easier and know it is better with you here! You are so mild mannered and just love to give me the best grins. You like to dance and bounce up and down when music is on. You finally started crawling right after 10 months and you said mama! Oh, how I love love love that sound. You don't talk a lot, but you make some of the cutest nosies when you do. I Am quite certain you said "book" the other day though, so I will take it! You love playing in the bathtub with your brother and sister. You crawl all over them and take their stuff and we just crack up at you, because you think it is funny.
]

School Bus

So, I did it! I let her ride the bus! She has been begging for forever but I have never even thought about actually letting her. For Graham's Sneak a peak at Bethesda they got to take a little bus ride, and what would you know….we got to ride bus 71 and had sweet Ms. Kay as our bus driver. After meeting her it at least made me considerate it. Not to mention all the other moms in the neighborhood peer pressuring me. Our neighborhood is actually like its own little community and they all ride the bus and all seem to be really great kids. (I have visions of all the bad things that happen on a school bus). Sister also got ride the school bus for her field trip to Gentry's farm on wednesday. After that she was begging to ride the bus. Well, on Friday, we were having people over to cookout for Michael's birthday. Plus poor Griffin gets woken up everyday to go pick up his siblings. He had not been feeling the best so I decided to let her ride and let him sleep. I was a nervous nelly and so anxious to walk down and get her off the bus. Here she is!!

I should mote that Graham keeps telling me he is going to "ride that bus!" He even said he was going to wake up early and hop on that bus next year and I wouldn't even know it! What is so funny about that is I remember being in kindergarten or first grade and I woke up at like 5 in the morning and got myself dressed and waited on my front porch because I wanted to ride the bus. My mom woke up and found me and asked what I was doing. She quickly said, "NO WAY!" I think things are a lot different now and at least the kindergartners and first graders have to sit up front. This will definitely not be a regular thing, but I may pick a day or so every now and then to let her. Luckily, there are some super sweet little girls in our neighborhood that she sat with. When I asked what they did, she told me they read their books!! HAHA!