Yikes!

Oh Amelia,

It has been a year since I've updated this! I'm so, so sorry! How I wish I was the type of parent who is super organized and posts something every week. However, I'll try to do better.

We've had such an incredible year. You're almost finished with reception, which is your first full year of school. You have come such a long, long way. This time last year, you'd still cry when I dropped you off for nursery (half day), but now, you just run along. Actually Dad takes you to school in the mornings. He started off doing it temporarily and liked it so much he just kept on doing it. You guys have some great conversations on the walk to school. He tells me you love to show off on your scooter and you talk about all sorts of random things, like things going on at school, how much you love the climbing frame and your friends. And you love school. Your teacher's name is Zara (this school calls the teachers by their first names, I don't quite understand why), Leslie the teacher's aide from nursery is also there, which you love. You're learning so many amazing things. You can write in cursive (almost) and you're learning to read. You also love maths and lunch (in fact you always say lunch is the best thing you did all day). You have some really good friends. You love playing with Elijah and Thomas especially. They think you're the best because you play 'Spiderman' with them...except you're 'Spider girl' who can do the same things, just that you're a girl.

Recently Elijah and another boy Gabriel had an argument over who got to marry you when you grew up. I asked you which one you wanted to marry and you said Gabriel. When I asked why, you said it was because he held your hand and Elijah didn't do that!

You've had a little bit of a harder time friend-wise at church, your best buddy Perry Macfarlane moved to Utah. And your other good friends Simon and Josiah Webster have also moved. Unfortunately you're learning the hard lesson of living in the Hyde Park ward/London, people don't usually stick around more than a few years. Only us, the Dougalls, Phillips and a few other families. However your confidence has grown so much, you're making new friends. I'm so proud of you.

Probably the biggest thing to happen to us is the arrival of Sebastian! You finally have a little brother. And you love him so much. You can make him laugh harder than anyone. Anytime you come into the room, he just watches you and wriggles with excitement. You sometimes love him a little too much and we have to caution you to not pick him up/accidentally kick him/jump on him etc. I think you're just ready for him to get a bit bigger so you can do more things. Don't worry, he'll get there. But you are a fantastic big sister. You're always watching out for him and telling me to do or not do things. I know you're going to continue to look out for him your whole life. He sure is lucky to have you.

Amelia, you're such a joy in our lives. You're five years old and you ask so, so, so many questions. Sometimes I don't even know how to answer them. You're still incapable of doing anything wrong without confessing to it first (usually before I even realize that you've done anything naughty). You're so interested in how the world works and you're getting so friendly with people. It's hard to remember that this is the same kid who wouldn't ever, ever leave my side at the park/church/school. You talk to strangers on the bus/tube and people are enchanted by you. Here's an example of what a conversation with you is like.

Your friend Eva Marriott-Fabre was baptized recently and we attended. Later you asked me if Eva was now a different person. I said no and asked why you thought that. You said that your primary teacher Leigh, said that when a person was baptized, they became a different person. I explained how we make a promise to Heavenly Father and Jesus when you get baptized and your sins are washed away. You asked if the water washed away the sins. I answered 'yes' and then you asked what happened to the next person who was getting baptized, did all of Eva's sins in the water get on them when they got in? I had to hide my laughter when I explained that wasn't exactly how things work. But oh, Mia...how I love your brain and how it works. I hope you always ask questions!

Since Seb joined us, you and I have butted heads a bit more. I'm very tired (he's the world's worst sleeper, you were much better as a baby) and you have had a few moments of acting out (having a new baby has diverted a lot of attention from you to him, only natural). But I'm happy to say we've come out of it. You still want to give me hugs and kisses all the time and you tell me several times a day that you love me. And I hope you know how much I love you as well. You're such a special girl and every night I thank Heavenly Father that I get to me your mom!

I'm going to get better at this so these aren't so long! Love you kiddo!

Mom

Update...

Hi Sweetheart,

It's been far too long since I've updated this blog for you. I'm sorry about that kiddo. But we've had a busy time. We're finally expecting a little brother for you! You're so cute, you'll rub my belly and say 'It's okay baby.' and you're so anxious to feel him kick. You'll often place your hand on my belly and say 'Is little brother kicking?' You're going to be such a good sister. You've got so many great plans for him, when he comes. I can't wait to see how you are when he finally makes his appearance. He's due on Halloween, so we'll see when he actually arrives.

You're still loving school, you can now write your name, it looks awesome. You love your teachers, singing and all the classes. You have some good friends and you love playing chase with them during outside time.

One thing you're super into is Ghostbusters. It's the funniest thing ever. You watch the animated cartoon on Youtube and everyday you're a different one. We often play the 'Ghostbuster' game, of which there are several variations. You and daddy have a great time.

Also, for your birthday we took you to Disneyland Paris. You loved it. You're not very much into princesses or fairies, but you love Mickey and Donald. You were so brave and went on all the rides you could, you pretended you were shooting the ghosts on the Phantom Manor ride but your very favorite ride was the Pirates of the Caribbean. You wanted to go on Big Thunder Mountain, but you were too short. Next time, I'm not sure we'll be able to stop you! We had a special dinner with Mickey and Minnie and some of the other characters, they even brought you a birthday cake and sang 'Happy Birthday' to you. It had candles on it and everything. You thought it was awesome, though your pictures would suggest otherwise.

You still have such a great imagination and you're still so very sensitive. I love talking with you and playing with you. You're a beautiful girl, inside and out and I hope you always know that. Dad and I love you so much. I am a little worried about how you'll react when Little Brother arrives, I hope you're not too jealous at having our attention diverted. But I think you'll be just fine.

Love you so much kiddo!

Mom

At Dinner Tonight...

So Daddy has been gone to South Africa for over a week and you and I have been having lots of 'girl time'.

Tonight at dinner you and I were talking about Jesus and how when he died his friends were sad, but then when he came back they were happy. I then told you how Jesus now lives in Heaven with Heavenly Father...we talk a lot about Heavenly Father because sometimes when you pray or someone else does, you're not very reverent. Also you picked up the phrase 'Oh my G-d', probably from school. So lately, we've been having the conversation that when you say that, it hurts Heavenly Father's feelings.

So while talking about this, you said 'Mom, I want to tell Heavenly Father something." I said okay, and then you looked up at the sky and said "Heavenly Father? Thank you for loving me!" and I said that was very nice and made Him happy. Then you looked up again and said 'Heavenly Father! Thanks for being there forever!" and then you looked at me and said 'Aren't I a good girl?'

You seemed pretty pleased with yourself, but I'm not quite sure you were doing everything for the right reasons.

It doesn't stop you from still being the cutest kid on the planet. I love you so much!

Amelia,

Today is Mother's Day here in the UK and you gave me the best present I could ever ask for! In Sacrament meeting today when they called the primary kids up to sing some songs, you weren't quite sure about going up, and to be honest, I didn't think you'd do it. You're only 3 and haven't been in Sunbeams that long, and you're not the most confident kid in the world. But you looked at me and Dad and then hopped off the bench and marched right up to the front with all the other kids. You looked so adorable standing there singing, even though you didn't know the words very well. I almost started crying, I was so proud of you! Dad was about to burst, he was so proud. You looked so comfortable up there and so pretty! I've waited my entire life to have a child of mine sing to me at the front of the chapel and today you made that dream come true.

You also made me a sweet card and you were so excited to give it to me, it was accompanied by a giant hug and a cheerful 'Happy Mother's Day' from you.

I love you so much. The best part about being a mom is being your mom!

Somebody That I Used to Know

Amelia,

No blog about your life would be complete without talking about your love for the song 'Somebody that I Used to Know' by Goyte. Except you don't call it that, you call it 'dun dun dunDundun' which is the first few bars of the song. And since this is a popular song, there has been many cover versions of it and you can tell each one pretty much just by hearing the first few bars. You stumbled upon the music video while poking around YouTube and that's what got you hooked.

The video is of a seemingly naked guy who as he sings gets painted into the mural behind him. Now everytime you get naked for the bath or your pj's or whatever you always say "I don't want the paint to come on me!" You think that everyone who is naked for a long amount of time gets painted. Poor kid. I hope we haven't damaged you by letting you watch that video (for the record, it only shows his leg and head, nothing else...we're not horrible parents).

Every night you ask Dad and me to tell you a story about when you were a baby. Which we happily do. Also, after dinner you sit on my lap (at the table, while you finish your last few bites) and ask me to tell you a 'Panda Mia' story. Which is basically a recount of that day's events. It always starts the same: "Once upon a time there was a little panda called Mia. One day Mia woke up and said 'is today a school day?" and Mommy Panda said 'yes' (or 'no' depending on the day). And then we talk about the day. It's become the best way to get you to tell us what you do at school...or at least you tell us what Panda Mia did at school. ;)

Dad reminded me that someday I'll really miss you wanting me to tell you stories. You still love to climb up on my lap and you're getting so tall and big, it's not as comfortable for either of us, but you still love it (so do I). It occurred to me last night that all too soon, you won't want to cuddle on my lap with me. I'll be so sad when that day comes. I love our cuddles. You're my special girl and Dad and I are so proud at how big you're getting, but we do still miss our little baby. ;)

You're at school now and I really hope you've had a good day. You're working on writing your name and have been reading the story 'Jack and the Beanstock'. I love how much you love to learn

I pretty much just love you, kiddo!

Mom

Catch up

Oh Amelia,

I have such great intentions on keeping this blog better updated for you. I'm so sorry it isn't what I wanted it to be. You're such a joy in our lives. You're also kind of a pill sometimes, but most of the time you're a joy. ;) You're so funny. You come up with the funniest situations and ideas. Like the other day you came up to me and showed me your hands and said they were called 'ilda' and 'olga' and when 'olga' started tickling you, you came to me laughing, "Mom, olga is tickling me', when it was you doing it to yourself the entire time. Your hands also hit you sometimes and you will come to complain to me about that also.

You're doing so well in school. You still love playing with Oskar and as far as I can tell, he's very nice to you (I can't say that about how he is with all the kids, he's a bit of an alpha male). You still have to sit on your special chair and have one of the teachers read a book with you, but then you're off and playing. You love playing outside (your current favorite games are 'chasing game' and football). We had about a week of snow recently (very rare for London) and you loved bundling up and going outside.

Also, this past Christmas we were able to fly to Utah to see Grandma and Grandpa Kinsel and all your aunts and uncles and cousins! You loved it. You loved playing with your cousins Sarah and Norah and you and Janie even played together a few times. It was so much fun to see you get to know my family and to see them get to know you. You have a very hybrid type of accent and all your American family loved to hear you say certain words. Once we were eating lunch at the bowling alley with Aunt Mak and you saw people bowling and you said 'I want to have a go at that game' which is a very common (yet very British) saying here, your dad and I didn't even notice it, but Aunt Mak thought it was the cutest thing she'd ever heard.

You always tell me things you learned from school (well sort of). I'll hear you sing songs from there and lately you've started singing primary songs. You sound so sweet singing with your little voice.

Speaking of primary, you started Sunbeams and surprisingly (to me anyway) you love it! On the very first day you went in, sat on a chair and said "Just go Mom..." so I went. I couldn't believe you were serious. Usually you're a little more clingy than that. I couldn't believe the girl who was still struggling in Nursery was telling me to go. But you meant it and you haven't looked back. You love the fact that you're in class with Perry, he's one of your very best friends. I'm so proud of you.

You love to draw, the other day you were looking at George the Monkey and noticing things about him and you'd add it to the paper. You'd say 'Mom, George has a curly tail!' and then you'd add a curly tail to the picture. Or hair, or his smile. You're so clever.

I love you so much Mia, you are my light. Dad and I have been trying really, really hard to give you a brother or sister...but unfortunately it hasn't worked. We hate that. But we're so, so grateful to have you in our lives. You bring us so much joy and I hope you know that, even if we're cranky sometimes or we do things you don't agree with. You're so very special to us and we're trying our best to help you grow up to be a good, kind, loving person.

So far, you're right on track!

Love,

Mom

School Time!

Amelia! You're such a big girl now! You started school about a month ago and so far, so good. You struggled a bit at the beginning and even now, when I drop you off you try to decide whether or not you want to cry (you almost always decide not to). You still like to just 'sit on a chair and not play with anyone forever!" and they have a special chair for you to sit on, but the teachers tell me you only last for a few minutes before you're up and playing.

This school (called nursery here, but it's basically pre-school) is great, there is so much for you to do and play with! Every day they have several different tables set up with all sorts of fun things to play with. One might have play doh, another might have paints and paper, another legos, and yet another might have dinosaurs and farm toys. Plus there is a great kitchen area, reading area and entire outside area. You are totally spoiled for choice. Everyday I come to pick you up, you run out to me with a smile and show me the book you picked out for us to read tonight.

School has also given you so much more confidence. You're not scared of other kids and even join in playing with kids you don't know at the park. I'm so happy that you're happy. It was very difficult for me to send you to school. I knew it would be good for you, but you're my baby and I didn't want you to leave me! You and I have spent every day together for your entire life, we had a great rhythm and I so enjoy spending time with you. But you're such a clever girl, I knew you'd love it and it would be the best thing for you...and I was right. I still miss you though!

Let's see...what else is going on? Oh, it's almost Halloween and you're so excited to dress up as Woody from Toy Story. Aunt Cyndi sent you a super cute costume and we got you a cowboy hat. The first time you put everything on you kept saying 'howdy howdy howdy' and 'yeehaw cowboy!'

You still love to sing and I find that you're learning lots of songs, because you come home and sing songs that we've never sung together. You still love to make up your own songs and quite often in the bath or when you're playing on your own you'll sing about what you're doing, it's hilarious. I haven't managed to get it on video yet, but I'll keep trying.

As always, you're our joy and Dad and I love you so, so much. You light up our lives and everyday we thank Heavenly Father for letting us be your parents. We love you!

Love,

Mom