Red Marker Madness

Dear 'ita,

It's your slacker Auntie K, who has been remiss and hasn't posted in a while. I started a new job four weeks ago, so I've been busy.

During this time, you finished your first year of pre-school and you began your first stint at summer camps. You went to brain camp! You actually have some more of it to go. Apparently, you do activities to make you even more cognitively smarter than you already are. Very cool. Also, somehow this involves a lot of legos, we aren't sure why.

You are also going to piano lessons. After the first day, when you cried a lot, you've been liking it. I asked you why you cried, and you said, with complete conviction "Because the other kids were!" I hope you aren't around a bunch of kids jumping off a bridge anytime soon. (Sorry, that was snarky!)

Then there was the red marker incident. Mommy went upstairs for only 10 minutes to put your sister to bed. She left you downstairs hanging out with yourself. (Silly Mommy, right?) When she came back, you had colored all over your face with a red marker. All over it. Now, this really isn't that bad, because of course you only have access to water-based markers that come right off with some soap and a scrub, but you didn't know that. So Mommy asked you what you had done, and you simply said "Wrote on my face with marker." (You are so honest and so matter-of-fact, girly.) So Mommy said it might not come off, and you looked worried for about a second and a half and then you said "No, Mommy, we can use alcohol and it will come right off." When I asked your mom about this, she said that she uses rubbing alcohol to take off the marker labels on the baby food jars, and you know that. Clever. Really, though, soap and water later, you were all set.

You are helpful with making sure your newly-mobile sister doesn't fall off something. "Careful, Sage! You'll fall off the bed!" you said, as you held her back. Such a nice girl.

I hope you have a great 4th of July and enjoy the parade. You are coming to Boston next month and I can't wait to see you.

Love you,

Auntie K

Sisters are the best!

Dear Sonia,

Sisters are the best. Check these two out!



Love,

Auntie K

John Hancock

Hey Sonester,

I was just looking back through some of your posts, and figured I'd give the people who frequent this blog, and the future you (as some day you'll read this too) an update on you writing your esses and your name.

Check this out:



You wrote this on April 23. Four days after your third birthday. I was pretty impressed. Good job!

Love,

Auntie K

You Can Get Lost Now

Dear Sonia,

Today, you and Mommy were at the zoo and were discussing how many people there were and how crazy it was. So Mommy decided it was time to teach you her phone number. At three years old.

And so, young miss, you now know it. If you ever get lost, you can go up to someone, and tell them you are lost and then begin singing for them, to the tune of Frere Jacques:

Mommy's Phone Number, Mommy's Phone Number, XXX, XXX, XXX, XXX, XXXX, XXXX

You performed it twice for me over the phone on speaker. The first time I had no idea what you were saying, so hopefully if you ever get lost, you don't have to talk into a speaker to get help. Then, once I knew the story, I could understand you clear as day.

Your Mommy is smart. Wicked smart. Almost as smart as you.

Love,

Auntie K

Lock the Doors, The Bunny is Coming!

Dear Sonia,

Last weekend was your sister's feeding ceremony (her anaprasana) and we all came to town for it. I surprised you all. Nobody knew I was coming until you arrived back home and found me sitting on the swing in the yard. That was great fun! It was also Easter weekend. You'd had quite the week - egg hunts and goodies and such. Finally, the night before Easter arrived. Mommy got your easter basket (and Sage's) and showed it to you and told you that you would leave it out and the bunny would bring treats.

You were okay for a minute. Sure, you must have thought. That's what happened with Santa, too. But then you asked if he'd come while you were sleeping. We all assured you, that yes, that's when he'd come. You waited a couple of beats and then asked if he'd come in the house. Well, yes, we said. But not in your room, someone assured you.

Finally, you looked at your Mommy and said that the baskets could be outside and the Bunny would bring things there. And we'd lock the doors and he couldn't come in. Mommy readily agreed that this was a good plan. You got up to put the baskets out right away, lest anyone forget. On your way by your papa, you said "We're going to lock all the doors, Papa." As if this was something new - that usually, you all go to bed with a wide open house.

People were asking your mommy questions like "Was this a problem with S-A-N-T-A?" and your mom was guessing things like, "I wonder if someone told her it is a H-U-G-E bunny." You weren't even remotely listening to all the spelling going on, since you were so fixated on the baskets being outside.

Your mommy let you know that the baskets would be inside when you got up in the morning, since she had to bring Nana and Papa and Uncle S to the airport early and she would bring them in. You were okay with that.



It was pretty freaking hilarious, I have to say. And logical as hell. I remember when I was little, wondering how the heck the Bunny got in the house. If Santa comes down the chimney...? I seriously think I decided that the Bunny was magical enough to pass through walls. And why didn't that scare me into insisting that our baskets go outside? Your guess is as good as mine. No idea. You are perhaps way smarter than we all think.

Anyway, the Bunny was super good to you and Sage. You got a bunch of hair bows and tattoos and stick on sparkle earrings and a puzzle. Very little candy - the Bunny must be familiar with your parents.

Hopefully by next Christmas, you'll be okay with Santa sneaking in for a minute to leave you some stuff. I have no idea what happens if Santa leaves the gifts outside - even in pretty-warm Houston, TX!

Love,

Auntie K

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Dear Sonia-ita!

Happy happy happy third birthday, my dear little niece!

Things you should know about your third birthday:

- You had a butterfly shaped birthday cake in your backyard while you and your cousins and your friend Taj went swimming.
- Your Nana and Papa were in Houston with you on your big day!
- Every time I asked you what day it was - you said TUESDAY! And then after being prompted, said "MY BIRTHDAY!"
- You brought cupcakes to school to share with the other kids.
- Your daddy drove you to school and you called me on your way and I sang Happy Birthday to you.
- When Mommy and Daddy came up in the morning to bring you your gifts, you said "I can't stop smiling smiling smiling!"
- When you went down to get your more presents from Nana and Papa, you reported to them that upstairs, you "couldn't stop smiling, smiling, smiling!"

I'm very sure there are way more things to report about your third birthday, but as of right now, this is what I know. I'm so glad you love your birthday. I love mine too. It's a pretty cool thing to have a day just for you.

I love you very very much, 'ita!




Love,

Auntie K

Peek!

Dear Sonia,

You are so beautiful.

Almost 3!



Love,

Auntie K