What I Want You To Know...

I have been really bad about including letters to the boys on this blog. As stated several times, this is a journal for our family. I don't keep baby books or anything else so I need to step up my game so that I make sure to share all that I want the boys to know one day when they look back on this blog.

Dane,
As you approach the way too smart age of 4, I want you to know that you've made all my dreams come true. You were the first to bless this family and I couldn't be more proud of the little boy that you've become. That's not to say that being your mom doesn't come with some challenges...you are what your Dad lovingly refers to as a "Polk" which means that you are stubborn and strong willed. Stubborn and strong willed can be good...it means you know how to hold your ground and get what you want. However, stubborn can be very difficult especially when you're 3 and getting what you want seems to be all that matters to you. It also means that you and I butt heads on lots of things because we're so much alike. No matter what, I love you more that you will ever know. And I will always have your back. Even when you make bad decisions, we will be here for you....of course telling you that you screwed up but here nonetheless.

You are an amazing brother to Kale. Yes, you still like to wrestle with him and are often too rough but you have definitely learned that he's not a punching bag. I believe he will be bigger than you so you probably should start to curb beating him up...I think you're going to get it back tenfold. You have the biggest heart and really do have compassion for your baby brother. You're also very protective of him. Like last week, Kale got scolded and you were the first by his side to wipe his tears, give him a hug and tell him that it would be ok. You also looked crossways at your Dad and said "you don't talk to my brudder like dat." That obviously wasn't well received but it made me smile to know that you are so protective. And that you love Kale.

Currently your favorite things are John Deere tractors, your John Deere tee shirt and your John Deere socks. You also love your smiling dinosaur, Curious George, school, playing outside, Disney World, fireworks and watching the big diggers excavating the property next door. You say monstruction for construction and instruction. You call weeping willows "drippy trees" and you still pronounce the "L" as a "W".

You are a funny, funny little guy. The things that come out of your mouth often have your Dad and I laughing hysterically. You also say the absolute sweetest things...on Saturday when you were in the city with Dad and Kale you told him that you were having the "best day ever...with my Daddy, who I love." This is thankfully not an unusual thing...you often surprise me by saying something really sweet and completely unprovoked.

You are a little boy who has endless energy, endless giggles and endless excitement over new things. I now fully understand why people talk about seeing things through "the eyes of a child". Your imagination is wild...last week you told me that you "plowed the whole field and that you were going to plant the corn tomorrow." You promptly followed up that statement with "is it supposed to rain?" You know exactly what buttons to push to make Kale scream and you delight in picking at him. I think that will likely never end...and I think that is how it should be between brothers. You keep me on my toes and I love that I get to spend every day with you.