Pre-k

You returned to preschool this week - this will be your last year before you start kindergarten. I'm really having a hard time with it - I know my time if snuggles and cuddles will come to a close. I know that my days of holding you and carrying you around are limited - I am literally in tears as I write this. I never understood why my mom was so sappy and enotional when she talked about us growing up, and you won't understand until you have children....but it is really hard to let go. Yes, you're only four...but you'll never be this small again! 

Your teacher's name is Mrs. Voight - She seems to be really great and you said she's "so funny."  You go during the mornings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday's. They said they're really focusing on getting you prepared for kindergarten so you'll be focusing on letters. Numbers, days of the week, etc. I have such anxiety when it comes to those things because I do not want to fail you as a Mama, I don't want to not teach you things and have you start school behind. You are so smart though and I know that you'll do great...its just something else you'll understand once you have kids. You worry about EVERYTHING! I try to enforce school time at home but conveniently you're always "too sleepy" or tell me you can't move off the couch because you're "stuck in glue." Little stinker. 

You have one of your best buddies Elias in your class again this year. You had him in class last year and played baseball with him this summer. You were so nervous at your Sneak Peek- you wouldn't let me put you down at all- you had your arms and legs wrapped around me like a little monkey. However, when Elias got there you were excited and started to feel more comfortable. We played in your classroom, went and had a snack, and then played on the playground. There was a younger boy running around (maybe 2 or 3?) and you and Elias created a game that he was chasing you guys (he wasn't...ha) so you stood and yelled "come get me, you stinky baby!" His mama said "his name is Alex..." Mama was mortified! We had to have a little talk about what is nice and what is not nice to say to people! Haha. All in all, the sneak peek was good! You wee sad to hear that your other best buddy, Liam was placed in another class. I hope you get to see him sometimes on the playground because you three really enjoy each other. 

In fact, that's where we were tonight. Liam's parents had us over for fishing and smores. You had so much fun!!! Typically you don't like to fish (we were actually fishing this afternoon too- Uncle Dave surprised us and came in town!) however, you loved fishing with your buddies. The three of you ran, wrestled, giggled, laughed,and  ran some 

more! Liam's daddy took you all on a four wheeler ride - I kept having o remind myself to not panic and freak out since the other mama's were allowing their son to go...I'm just so crazy protective. The whole time you were riding around with him, I was watching you like a hawk... In fact, I don't think I actually breathed until we were in the car on the way home. It was such a fun night but I was worried about the pond, the bonfire, the four wheeler, etc etc. come on mama! Let go a little!!!! 

You are absolutely obsessed with Bolt (a three time Jamaican Olympic gold medalist for track  - the fastest man in the world!) We watched all of his Olympic races - you call yourself Tiny Bolt. We have had to run up and down the yard racing you a million times- of course you win and of course we interview you afterwards. "Bolt! You win again!!! How do you run so fast?!?" "Well I'm

A slow starter but I have rockets in my feet and you just can't beat bolt!" "Bolt! Are you going to hug or kiss anyone after you won your gold medal?" "Yes! My mama and daddy! I'm ready to race again!" Soooo we race again, and again, and again! ;)

You told me "mama, when u get big....I'm going to wear that green and red outfit like bolt(his Jamaican Olympic 

uniform) and I'm going to run with bolt! 

"So we have to move to Jamaican then!"

"Yes, want to come with me mama?"

"Sure! I'll come run with you and bolt!"

Hesitation...."ummm mama, you're not that fast. You can't run with bolt - you run like this..." (Proceeds to run in slow motion) "but you can watch me!" 

Thanks Lathan. 

We had to take his picture out of the sports illustrated magazine that grandma bye gave you and tape it up on your bedroom wall. Your first poster! As much as you love running...it doesn't surprise me that's your current little hero! 

The other day we pulled into the grocery store and there were a few people outside standing by their cars talking ... Uh very seriously said "what are those weirdos doing?!?" Oh Lathan...another time we had to talk about saying nice things (after I secretly died laughing inside.)

Kambree started at your daycare a few weeks a go - she is there three days a week. I think you love getting to play with her at Namcy'shouse! 

Your favorite color is blue - favorite food is pizza- you loooove grape juice and chocolate milk. It's torture trying to get you to eat anything of any sort of nutritional value...you choke down baby carrots and corn but very very rarely. You always tell me "no! Vegetables aren't good for me! They make me gag!!!" You told me your favorite book is Pete The Cat. Movies: you love Big Hero 

6 movie, Space Ham, Angry Birds. You still love Mickey Mouse, anything superhero, and anything dinosaur (T-Rexis your favorite.) song: Fall out boy - Immortals (song from big hero 6)

Best friends: Kendalyn, Kassidy, kambree, Elias, and Liam (and mama and daddy of course!!!!) 

Loooooves hot wheels cars!!!! You line them

All up, race them, crash them, hide them...you're just all boy! ❤️

 Well another summer is coming to a close! It's been such a busy one but good grief, it flew by so fast! 

You will start your last year of preschool in a few weeks - It literally brings tears to my eyes at the thought. I love you so much and I am so happy that you are growing and maturing but I just am not ready to have my baby boy be so big. You've really sprouted up in height over the summer - you are so tall! 

You finished your first baseball season - that was probably the cutest thing in the world. You and your little buddies had such a great time together! 

Since Mama has her job at Washburn, I had a lot of flexibility so I got to spend so much time with you this summer. I took off 1-2 days a week to work from home and we just hung out and did fun stuff together! We did some swimming, went to summer movies, and just spent a lot of time hanging out. I still thank the lord everyday that I was blessed with this job opportunity because my mama time has increased SO much. 

We spent last weekend in 

st Louis and did so many fun things! We went to the arch and then to grants farms where you rode a camel for the first time! This is such a brave move for you because last year when we were in Wichita, you were so terrified and refused to. You've really grown and were so brave! Auntie, Uncle Ez, the girls and poppy arrived a day after us and we went to a Cardinals game (you're a big cardinals fan now...you want to wear your shirt and hat all the time.) that was your first baseball game! You weren't that into it but it was still fun! We also went to the city museum which is basically a huge obstacle course. Again, you weren't scared of anything - you climbed through dark tunnels, climbed through cages hanging way in the air...I was so proud if you and your bravery. You really overcame a lot of fear that weekend. We ended the weekend at a big arcade - your favorite part of that was playing laser tag. :) You and Kam chased everyone around and tried so hard to shoot us. It was a blast and so nice to all be together again for the first time in a few months. 

We continue to try and teach you new things - You hate doing "schoolwork" so it's a huge struggle. Right now we are trying to work on recognizing the sounds associated to the letters but you aren't very interested. We are also really trying to help you write your name - you do it, but sometimes it's a little hard to read :) 

So much has happened lately and we have done such fun stuff! 

You finished your first year in preschool a few weeks a go- it's hard to believe that you only have one more year left before you go to preschool. Mama got to attend your last day of preschool where we sang songs, had ice cream sundaes, and played outside with all of your friends. You formed a great friendship with two of your classmates- Elias and Liam. In fact, you started playing tball with them this summer so you get to see them even more! :) It's so neat to see you really start to form friendships and have so much fun with other kiddos. You always say that they are your best buddies or your best friends. When Mama was unloading your backpack on your last day of school, I will shamefully admit that I did cry at the thought of you growing up! You saw me crying and told me "I will always hold your hand, Mama!" 

Like I said, you started playing baseball with your two best buddies and are really loving it! It's four pitches by the coach and then off the tee if necessary. Daddy helps out and it makes my heart so happy to see two of my favorite guys out there together. You are at that age where you don't really understand the rules but really have a blast trying! It is quite possibly the cutest thing ever watching the games! 

Uncle David graduated from medical school and we could not be any more excited for him or proud of him. You attended his hooding ceremony and his graduation and cheered 

him on so loud. You had a blast at his graduation party where you played so hard with the girls. You just cannot get enough of your girls. 

Sadly, Gigi (poppy's mama) passed away 

- she had been in and out of the hospital so I know she didn't want to live that way but it is always so hard to lose loved ones. We spent a lot of time trying to cheer poppy up - he had rotator cuff surgery the day before she passed away so he has really been down in the dumps. 

Me, you, and Daddy moved uncle Dave and aunt Sheena to St. Louis this week. What should have been a 4 1/2 car ride turned into a nine hour trip. Ain't Sheena had a tire blow out so we waited to fix that, there was a wreck on the highway, and rush hour traffic caused us to be at a stand still... But you were the most amazing little boy! Daddy drove the ugly so ur was just me and you in the car but you were so great and patient despite the long time. You didn't fall asleep at all but also didn't whine or fight me for it being so Long. When we got to dave's and started unloading the uhaul, you were such a big help! You carried in so much stuff for them- they definitely couldn't have done it without you :)

Spring is starting to arrive - The trees have started to turn green, the flowers are starting to bloom, and Lathan is starting to get spring fever! I have always said that you are such an outdoor boy and it is so true - the minute it starts to warm up, you are ready to be outside. You want to be at the park, on the swing set, on a nature walk, riding your jeep, playing basketball, and playing baseball. I am really happy to see that and we definitely encourage that also - there is no reason to waste beautiful days by being indoors watching television or playing on the iPad. You will be playing t-ball with a few preschool buddies this summer (Oh my gosh, I CAN NOT WAIT to watch you out there playing!!!!! I am SOOOO EXCITED!) Anyhow, you will be playing t-ball BUT you think that you are too big to hit off a tee - you always make daddy pitch to you. You are really good though and can usually always hit most of his pitches - we keep trying to explain to you that "Tball" isn't for babies and you will have to use the tee when you play this summer. We also have tried to explain that you do not throw the bat as hard as you can when you hit AND you do not throw the ball at your friends as an attempt to get them out. (This should be an interesting t-ball league.) :)

Spring Break was last week and your daycare and preschool was closed; you did not seem to mind at all though - that just meant a whole lot of time with Mama! The Monday of Spring Break you actaully woke up with a fever and a bad cough so I stayed home from work with you, the next two mornings you came with Mommy to work and then we went home in the afternoons, and Thursday and Friday - Daddy and Mama were both off and we did fun things! Thursday we went to the Zoo and played and then went to Potwin Pottery. That is a pretty cool place - you choose the ceramic that you want to paint and then you decorate it however you'd like. A week later, you get it back and it has been glazed, baked, and polished. You (of course) chose a T-Rex; we spent a lot of time painting it blue, re-painting it green, giving it spots, painting over the spots, and giving it spots again. At one point, Daddy got a little frustrated and told you that we were not going to paint the entire dinosaur again.... "Daddy, this is my day." HA! You told him! Daddy just laughed and said "You are right - let's paint him again." Friday of Spring Break, we headed to Wichita! It was Uncle David's "Match" ceremony - this was the day that he found out where he will be headed for his residency. During the ceremony, Daddy took you and the girls to an Exploration Museum- he said that place was AMAZING and so incredibly huge. While you were there, we found out that Uncle David made his number one match at Barnes-Jewish/Washington St. Louis for anesthesiology. Although I am so sad to see him and Aunt Sheena move farther away - this is an amazing opportunity for them and St. Louis has a lot of really cool things for us to do when we visit. We spent the rest of the day just hanging out at their apartment - you were exhausted so we headed home around 6.

Another really fun thing we got to do recently was to go to The University of Kansas Natural History Museum - Poppy and Auntie have taken you there before but Daddy and Mama had not gotten the chance to go. That place was amazing too! They had a lot of dinosaur fossils - you were in awe of them. It is still so shocking to see how much you know... you were telling us about all of the dinosaurs and you know SO much about all of them too! Speaking of that, you also surprised the heck out of Mama the other night....you started talking about the solar system. "Venus is the hot planet, it has volcanoes on it." "Mercury is the smallest." "Mars is the red planet - It has two moons." " Uranus lies on its side." "We live on Earth." "Saturn has rings." "Jupiter is the biggest planet." I am ashamed to admit this but I did have to google these things to make sure you were right...AND YOU WERE! Good Lord, you are a GENIUS!!!

Last night Mama was trying to get you to eat your vegetables and I told you that if you do not eat them, you will never get big. Without missing a beat, you said "That's fine...you want me to stay small anyhow." Dang kid, you out-smart me every time.

Oh Dear Lathan.... You can be quite the confusing stinker sometimes. Let me explain.....

Every morning you help make Mama's coffee for me - you pick out the K-cup for Mama's Keurig, place it inside, and press the start button. Well, earlier this week you told me that you wanted to have Leonardo the Ninja Turtle make Mama's coffee instead. I said OK and sat you and Leonardo on the counter top to get the coffee started.... you take Leonardo's turtle finger and press the "Start" button on the coffee pot....and then you IMMEDIATELY begin to bawl. "I wanted to make your coffee! Not Leonardo!"

????

I was dumbfounded, I had absolutely no idea what to say or do. You were completely hysterical. I tried to explain that you were the one holding Leonardo and you were the one that made him push the start button?

After several minutes, you finally agreed to help Mama get a glass of ice water instead. I will never fall for the Leonardo trap again...that Ninja Turtle is NOT allowed to make my coffee! :) 

 Four Years Old!!!!!!


My little four year old boy - perfect in every single way. You no longer look like a baby, you no longer look like a toddler - you are such a little man these days. Your 4T clothes are already too small for you - you certainly have your daddy's height and body structure. Your arms are very long so a lot of your shirts no longer fit in them... You are going to break the bank if you do not stop growing soon!

The day before your birthday, we celebrated at your preschool! They have very strict rules as to what you can bring as a snack - you chose to bring Lightning McQueen gummies! Mama snuck out of work and came for the birthday celebration - you had a birthday crown that you were wearing, you were the leader of the class, everyone sang you happy birthday, and then you got to share your yummy gummies with all of your friends. You were certainly feeling pretty special :) Your actual birthday, Mama took off work and we just hung out together! We met Auntie and Kambree at Pizza Hut so you could eat your favorite lunch (DUH! PIZZA!!!) and then the two of you played in the play-place for such a long time. You crashed when you got home....of course Mama laid with you because I just cannot get enough of the Lathan sleepy snuggles. You still rub my cheeks as a way to put yourself to sleep. :) Your spiderman birthday party was so the day after your birthday and it was perfect! The living room was packed with your most favorite people and you got SO many cool things!!!! There were spiderman decorations everywhere! (Mama had thought she was cutting back this year but as I started to decorate more and more, I realize that was not actually the case at all. OOPS!) You had a blast though!

My four year old baby boy, Everytime Mama looks at you - you make my heart melt. You are as sweet as can be... you tell Mama how beautiful you think I am and how I am your girlfriend. One day you put both hands on my cheeks and told me I was your most favorite girl ever. Those are the moments that I will forever lock away in my memory bank...someday I will no longer be your number one girl, you will be too big for cuddles and snuggles (Yes, I am crying as I am writing this...) but it is true. Someday you will outgrow Mama..I will treasure every moment I have with you as my sweet little boy. Although you will always be my baby, reality is that you will stop cuddling, you will become more independent with every passing day... I love you Lathan Rush. Words cannot even describe how much.