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

Dear Bently,

You are growing up so fast! I feel like every day you are saying or doing something new! I love watching you learn and grow! You are so anxious to learn new things! We bought you this book from the dollar store that went through the alphabet and had different activities and you LOVED it! You finished coloring it and doing the activities in one day. This morning you were carrying it around telling me to "clean it" so that you could color some more! I felt bad that I couldn't. I am tempted to go and buy you the same dollar book again you loved it so much!

While working on this coloring book I noticed how you color is changing. You now color specific things on the page and try and stay inside the lines. Now you are no where near close to perfect at this but you sure try. It's crazy that you just don't scribble anymore. You love coloring and telling me "the monkey is pink!' Maybe a good mom would tell you monkey's are not pink, but me, I love learning how you see the world! :)

I love you my handsome boy! Forever and ever!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently Elmer,

Kid, I love you. I love you so much it consumes me and I feel like I'm going to burst! You are my favorite little boy in the whole world and all I want to do is spend time with you. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Right now your Mom has to work 40+ hours a week, plus be a mommy, and a friend, and a wife. And I have to be a mommy not only to you, but to your very cute and very demanding little sister. As I sat here at work today, my mind was running over all the things I have to do the next couple of days. In the midst of the chaos in my mind I thought about you. My sweet innocent beautiful son who is often a tagalong to my many many errands, who is often ignored while I try and do the dishes, or finish a project, or work on the bathroom. My poor son who asks me "Mom do you want to play with me?" And while my whole heart wishes to exclaim yes, of course I do. I know my time is limited and there are things I have to do. As much as I hate it, I tell you no more often than not. Today, as I sat contemplating how much I miss you and just spending time with you, I decided it has to change. I can't do this anymore. I am making a goal for myself to spend more time with my Bently. To do more things that you enjoy. To make the sacraifices necessary to get the chance to play with you. I love you my beautiful boy. I promise to do better. I promise to spend more time with you. I love you little man!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

You my darling boy are adorable! That's not to say you don't have your flaws, because you do. But you are just too cute for words. You say the sweetest things and always love to give us hugs and kisses. My favorite thing is you randomly tell us you love us! You actually do it quite often! It melts my heart every single time! Today I called you into the family room to say goodbye to me before I went to work. As you walked towards me and the open door you noticed it was raining. You said, "Okay it's raining, be careful!" It was seriously the most adorable thing ever! I scooped you up in my arms and your Dad and I just smiled at each other as I held you tight! I love you forever and ever sweet boy!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

We celebrated another great 4th of July this passed Friday! It was amazing that both your Dad and I had it off work! Such a blessing considering the jobs we do! We had seriously the most amazing day. I had talked up the 4th of July to you so you were already pretty excited. All week you kept asking if we were going to the parade! Finally it was time. I couldn't wait to see your reaction and let me tell you, you loved it! You danced and sang and went after that candy with all the big kids. I loved watching you squeal and jump with excitement! And your dad, sat on his knees for like 45 minutes of the parade just so he could enjoy it with you. His knees were black and so soar by the end! You have a seriously dedicated dad! :)

After that we went home watched "Wreck it Ralph" with Aunt Stacey, Uncle Jesse, and Aunt Janaye. My favorite part of the day is you kept getting confused and telling your Dad, "Happy father day's Daddy!" It was so adorable we didn't have the heart to correct you half the time! I loved hearing it! :)

After Liv woke up from napping we played at Aunt Shawna's house. To be honest I barley saw you during this time. You played outside in the pool with your cousin Kara all day. It's hit or miss with you two, but that day, you got along just fine! I loved watching you guys be buddies! I love watching you develop relationships as you get older.

The fireworks were, crazy. You and Livvy were tired and you showed it. Once they started it turned out okay. I loved watching the fireworks go off while snuggling next to my cute family. I can't tell you how proud I am to be an American. We are seriously lucky to live in this country!

I love you Bently Elmer. Holidays just keep getting more and more fun. I love that you get excited for things and you are starting to understand more. I love you so much my son.

Love,
Mom

P.s. I can't believe how big you have gotten. Seriously kid, you are huge! ;)