Hiking: Devils Backbone

My darling Cole,
Today we went for a family hike out near Loveland at a place called Devils Backbone. We made it to the keyhole for some great views. You didn't complain too much, especially once we started to play spies and throw grenades (aka rocks) into the tall grass where the evil scrogers were hanging out.
Then we had lunch at Sonic, played video games with dad while I finished the movie The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. Then you and I went to the library and checked out 14 books all for you. WOW! After we got home Sofia came over and you guys played until dinner was ready. After dinner, we went over to Uncle Derrick's house to visit with Gramie while she babysat the kids. Then, it was back home and off to sleep. Geez, it was a busy weekend.

I love you baby boy. Sweet dreams.
Mommy

Busy

Dear Cole,
I'll catch you up from the last couple of days. Thursday G-ma came over for dinner. It was so nice having her over. Friday, we celebrated the end of a long week by having dinner at Ted's. Yummy!

Saturday, I ran a 12-miler, you played Halo with daddy, then it was errands with me. We hit the gas station, car wash, cleaners, yummy lunch at Bean & Berry, Old Navy, the candy store, grocery shopping and finally, Baskin Robbins for build-your-own-sundae.

When we got home, it was bike riding, baseball, quite time movie time, dinner, and finally sleep. It was a gorgeous day out and we made good use of it.

Thanks for hanging out with me.

I love you,
Mommy

How may I help you?

Dear Cole,

We cleaned out one of the closets downstairs and you wanted to keep all sorts of things we were getting rid of like a book called "How to deal with NASTY people", old credit cards that you put in your wallet, and this headset. You wore this thing ALL day long, even while watching TV or reading or eating. You thought it was the coolest thing ever.

It reminded me of when I was little and thought that about my mom's stuff. Or like the time Uncle Derrick and I got caught stealing office supplies from my dad's office. What in the world did we want or need with a stapler and other like items at the age of 8? Fascinated by new things that really had no applicability or use to use but were somehow the most intriguing things ever.

Last week when we got home from school, you asked if you could wear a costume and so you were Ironman all night. Speaking of super heros, daddy took you to see the Green Hornet while I was in San Francisco. You guys also made an incredible carousel with your Kinetics.

At school, you've been working on writing letters, actual letters, one of my favorite things ever. You wrote me this note:

Drire Mom,
I miss you. I wot to kom with you. I love you. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX.
Love,
Cole

Or how about this one:
I no that you are a lover to me and you are so sweeat you always say that you are gonna eat my cheeks.

You packed me off for my trip to New Orleans with a special note that I could only open at the airport. It read "I love you mommy" and you had a plastic heart attached to it.

I love you my darling. I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time with you this weekend. I've missed you.

By the way, thank you for surprising me by getting my toothbrush ready twice this week. My sweet boy.

Goodnight,
Mommy

Mornings

Dear Cole,
There are some mornings, when things just don't go smoothly. It usually happens the instant you wake up. We all have days like that and boy, are they challenging.

But this morning, you were an angel. No arguing, no pouting, no asking three or four times for you to do something. You were just heavenly. Because I'm leaving for New Orleans today and had extra time this morning, we decided to walk to school. But it wasn't any walk. We pretended that we were hikers, high up in the mountains, dodging crevasses, and sliding on ice. You kept calling me "friend". You'd say "be careful friend." The school was the top of the mountain. We reached our destination, gave awesome hugs and kisses.

Before we parted ways, you reminded me that you left something special in my backpack for my trip and told me to look for it when I got to the airport. You are so sweet. Have fun with daddy this weekend.

Hugs,
Mommy

The Simple Life

Dear Cole,

Happy New Year! I just wanted to write and tell you thank you. Thank you for helping me be silly and goofy. You love being goofy and silly. Sometimes after a long day at work, it's hard to switch gears from being so serious and stressed to being silly and goofy.

Life is simple right now. You love to spend time with me and daddy. After I get over my serious self, we play sheriff and robber - having shootouts down the hall and capturing the robber and putting him in jail. Or how about hide-n-seek! Simply a favorite of yours. Or board games or cards. Or chase...you never get tired of playing chase. Or how about tickle...you love to play tickle and we just laugh and laugh. I love to hear you laugh.

It's hard to play sometimes because it takes some effort, energy, and imagination but it's good for my soul. I need it. To see you smile and giggle and be happy is precious. Tonight, we had a carpet picnic where we ate hot dogs and spicy fries and watched Spongebob. Thanks for hanging out with me. I love you so much. Thanks for being such an awesome 6 year old.

As I tucked you in bed tonight you said,"The first thing I like about you is your smile. The second thing is your singing." That was of course after you read me a book and I sang you a lullaby.

Good night darling. I love you.
Mommy