Dear Bently,

We went camping with my side of the family a couple weekends ago (August 15-16) I tried to get you amped up talking about sleeping in a tent. Turns out, that wasn't such a good idea. On more than one occasion you told us, "No sleep in a tent, that later!" :)

We arrived and you had a BLAST. I mean you loved ever second of it. You loved being around so many kids! You spent the beginning part with Kara mostly. You guys collected grasshoppers. It fascinated me watching you interact with the bugs. Mostly when we're at home you are obsessed with "popping" them. Aka squishing them! ;) But you had a blast alongside all the kids collecting the grasshoppers and showed no fear. I always worry my bug phobia will transfer to you!

Once we drove down the mountain and back (we forgot our food and had to go buy more) you seemed to more evenly spread out your time! You spent a lot of time with Uncle Cole's dog. It was adorable to watch how much you loved that dog. Too bad for you because Dad is severely allergic. That's a dream that will probably never happen!

You loved the campfire and did pretty well staying away from it. I was worried you would be bad, but you were safe and careful. You loved the s'mores too! Just like me! (Dad won't eat them!) Uncle Cole had brought up some children's Unisom and offered you some. That was the best idea ever! 30 minutes later you were exhausted and ready for bed. It still took you a good 30 minutes to fall asleep, but that's much better than I pictured. You almost slept the whole night. You woke up at 5 am and had a conversation with Dad. I mostly slept through it. But you eventually fell back asleep!

You had a melt down on our mini hike. You were just exhausted and out of your element. You were screaming and crying and wanting to be held. OH man. I thought for sure you were going to fall asleep on the car ride home, but surprisingly you and Dad stayed awake and sang together! :)

I love you my big handsome camping man! I can't wait for next year!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

Today I took you and Olivia to the splash pad! We had a fantastic time! You were so adorable running around in the water! Then we walked over to the park and played on that until you decided it was, so so hot! Your flip flops broke a couple weeks ago and we can't find them on sale anywhere. So you've been wearing tennis shoes everywhere. I didn't think you should wear tennis shoes to the splash pad, thus your bare feat and hot park! :)

When we came home we made a paper chain countdown to preschool! Holy smokes, I can't believe your going to be in preschool. It's only 5 or so days away! You are so excited! And we had a grand time making the chain together. You helped me cut the paper and put the tape on it. I think you were quite proud of our little craft we made together.

Then we made cookies. I asked if you wanted to make cookies with me and you were ecstatic. You drug the kitchen chair over before I had even gotten a bowl out! Every time I put an ingredient in, you said "Oh I taste that!" You then proceeded to put your finger in the bowl and try everything from sugar to butter! You then ate more than your share of cookie dough! You kept sneaking your fingers into the bowl! Haha! Then you ate like 3 cookies! I'm surprised you went to bed so great tonight! All that sugar!

I guess you got it all out at Valerie and Dan's house. We went to see their condo for the first time and you had a blast giving the tour. You had never been there before but you wanted to give the tour. It was adorable to watch you run from room to room explaining what was in their. At one point your found a teddy bear. You were pretty in love. We left that room and then went into Val and Dan's room where they had a pile of blankets on the ground. You immediately said, "Oh that's the bear's bed." You then ran back to the room grabbed the bear and tucked him in. It was pretty dang adorable!

Today was just one of those amazing days were I didn't have to work and I could pretend like I was a stay at home mom. I loved the adventures we're able to have together when I'm not having to run to work or hurry through my break or do any other crazy thing. It was so fantastical! I loved every second of my day with you. You are seriously the cutest kid in the entire world and I can't get enough of you. I love that you can actually hold conversations with me and I feel like our relationship is two sided now.

I realized lately that you tell us "I love you Mom" or "I love you Dad" a lot. And randomly. As I was thinking about it, I realized, your Dad and I tell you I love all the time. We are definitely a family of I love yous and I am so glad you caught on. I love it when just randomly in the day, you come up, put your arms around me, and say "I love you Mom!" There is seriously nothing better in the entire world.

I love you my handsome man!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

Today when I came home from work on break I had to park the car down from the apartment under the covered parking. As I started walking towards the house and I heard a squeal of delight ring through the air! I knew immediately that it was my Bently, excited for me to be home! And I was right! You suddenly appeared, running barefoot towards me with the biggest grin on your face! It seriously melted my heart! I scooped you up and swung you around and covered you in kisses as you giggled wildly. I can't even describe how much a treasure moments like this. I know eventually you might not like me so much. I know eventually you are going to grow up and get your own grown up opinions and there may even come a time where you hardly like me at all. But it's these beautiful moments that I will hold tight to and remember for always! I love you my handsome man!

I love you so much!
Mom

Dear Bently,

I went and turned in a background packet with Orem PD the other day. I had to take you guys along because Dad was working. So I hauled you inside and this sargent I had never met before came to take my packet. He turned to Olivia and asked, "What's her name and how old is she?" I told him and then he motioned to you. I said, "That's Bently." He then said, "Bently, buddy how old are you?" You turned towards him and with a very solemn expression on your face said, "I have to go POO!" This poor Sargent sat there stunned and stammered for a minute before I said, "Well I guess we're going to go find a bathroom." It was too funny! You always keep me laughing cute boy!

Love,
Mom