Just Stop Already

Stratton turned 4 , I can hardly believe that I have a four year old and I have been thinking more then ever how I desperately need to cherish when my kids are this age . They are not going to be little for long and I really enjoy them while they are young.  I can't believe that four years ago today Stratton made me a mother. I love him to pieces.  Stratton is such a great helper and a really a wonderful big brother. The other day I was watching as Stratton pushed a chair over to the refrigerator to get a drink for Emerson and him . I was in the other room but quietly observing the conversation . The fridge door kept closing and Stratton was struggling to get the gallon of milk out . He asked Emerson to come and help him hold the door . Emerson agreed and stood there very still holding onto the door. After Stratton successfully got the milk out he said thank you  for helping Emerson . You are such a great helper . I think you are going to be a Dr. when you get older because you are very good at holding things carefully. Dr.s spend a lot of money and so I think you are going to be a great Dr. Emerson .  I often hear Stratton saying things like this while he and Emerson are playing . Stratton is so considerate and thoughtful to those around him .

 He often will ask if we can make cookies for his Sunbeams teacher or his friends . I heard him telling Barbara that he needed her to take him to the store to buy me a present for my birthday . On my birthday he picked out a makeup bag that I love and he filled it full of all of my makeup for me .  Stratton also loves to go on dates with me . We started doing this once a month so we could spend some one on one time together . It is very special for me too and I love the few hours of 100% attention we can share with each other . While we were getting ready to go out on our date I wanted to look nice for him and so I did my hair and makeup and I put on one of my going out outfits . When I asked Stratton if he was ready he came out and had all of his very nice clothes on . He had a white polo shirt and nice blue jeans with his brand new blue Sperry shoes . He asked me , " How do I look ? Do I look like a movie star? " I said how handsome he was and he told me he picked out his fancy clothes the ones I had picked out for him for family pictures that we took weeks prior. 

  A funny story about Stratton; recently I was taking a couple of bags to a lady in our ward for the caring hearts and helping hands service project . It was hot outside so I left the kids in the car with the engine running . I ran up to the door and dropped the bags off and then ran back. When I got back in the truck I noticed Stratton was laughing hysterically. I asked him what was so funny and he said, " Mom, do you know what is so embarrassing ?" I said" what, and he replied " when you run"! I thought this was too funny and so typical , I could not stop laughing.

He has the best imagination and I love pretending with him on any given day . One time Stratton and I were pretending with his imaginary friends and Barbara was sitting at the table and she said, " I think you both are crazy.".

It will be interesting to see where Stratton's imagination will take him in life . Stratton I love you more then you know and what did I tell you about growing up ?

STOP!

 

 

 Here are a few pictures from Stratton's birthday party . He wanted his party at Peter Piper Pizza and so we invited a few friends and cousins his age and celebrated !

 

 Raquel was too cute ! She was very stylishly late to the party and this is her waving to Stratton through the window.