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Seven-Years-Old

December 20, 2017/0 Comments/in Tate /by Megan

Dear Tate, Today you turn seven-years-old. Last night, as we snuggled in your bed, I told you I couldn’t believe it was the last time I’d be saying goodnight to my six-year-old! You responded with, “Well, mama, I’m still your buddy. It’ll be okay!” And, of course, you’re right. It WILL be okay, because every […]

5th Annual “Giving Back” Holiday Party

December 13, 2017/0 Comments/in Giving Back, Kansas City, Parenting /by Megan

Seven-Years-Old

December 20, 2017/0 Comments/in Tate /by Megan

5th Annual “Giving Back” Holiday Party

December 13, 2017/0 Comments/in Giving Back, Kansas City, Parenting /by Megan

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Seven-Years-Old

December 20, 2017/0 Comments/in Tate /by Megan

Dear Tate,

Today you turn seven-years-old. Last night, as we snuggled in your bed, I told you I couldn’t believe it was the last time I’d be saying goodnight to my six-year-old! You responded with, “Well, mama, I’m still your buddy. It’ll be okay!” And, of course, you’re right. It WILL be okay, because every minute/day/year that goes by, you grow into an even more incredible person than you were before. While I am totally obsessed with you as a baby (because HAVE YOU SEEN THIS VIDEO OMG), I’m loving this stage of life with you as a spunky little boy. You are feisty, curious, ornery and adorable all at the same time. It’s the best!

This year you not only grew physically (you are huge, dude…and your feet are massive!), but emotionally as well. I know people say that boys are less emotional than girls, but nothing seems to be further from the truth in your case. You are incredibly sensitive, and watching you learn to navigate your very big feelings has been challenging at times. There have been many tears over hurtful words from friends or your sister, or just feeling left out because you’re the youngest kid on our block. Often those tears are followed by angry outbursts…your smashed Halloween pumpkin comes to mind. Sometimes I can find this frustrating, but I try to remind myself that the flip side of these tearful moments are the ones of pure joy that you bring our way on a daily basis. You are so loving, sometimes it seems as if it will burst out of you! When you see me in the hall at school or at a sports game you always run up and give me a huge hug and a kiss, regardless of who is around. The other day you knocked on the bathroom door while I was getting ready for the day, and when I opened it, I found you standing there with my wedding ring in your hand. “Mama, will you marry me?” Oh, my heart.

I know sooner than I’d like my love won’t be the most important thing in your life, especially since you have already shared that you have two “crushes” in your first grade class. My adorable baby has grown into a very good looking kid, and I can already tell our teenage years with you will be quite the adventure. Whenever I visit your class at school, there are multiple girls that fawn over you, hugging and wanting to sit next to you. Yesterday when two girls were fighting over the seat next to you at the holiday party, you looked over at me, shrugged your shoulders and WINKED. My god. What are we going to do with you, kid?

This year you finally got to really find some activities of your own, since you’ve spent much of your young life attending concerts, rehearsals, practices and recitals for your sister. It’s YOUR turn! You have kept up with soccer, but you also played basketball and baseball. You were part of the inaugural boys class at your Aunt Ashley’s dance camp, and it appears you love performing as much as your sister! I loved watching you try new things and step out of your comfort zone this year. I know it’s a challenge for you, and sometimes you hated me for making you try, but I hope the lessons you learn today will help you as you continue to grow. If not, there’s always therapy!

Tater Tot, I love you so much, it makes my heart hurt. I want nothing but the best for you, but I always want to make sure you care for others around you as well as yourself. You’re growing up in an interesting time…you’re a middle class white boy from the Midwest during a time of great change in our country and community. My hope is that as you continue to learn, you will use your privilege to lift others up and make the world a better place. If who you are today is any indication, the world is in for a lot of joy from you, kid. I love you endlessly.

Love,
Mama

5th Annual “Giving Back” Holiday Party

December 13, 2017/0 Comments/in Giving Back, Kansas City, Parenting /by Megan

Five years ago, 6-year-old Lucy begged me to host a holiday party for her little friends. I am not exactly a “party person,” so I was not thrilled with this request, but she had an adorable lisp and it was impossible to say no. Therefore, a tradition was born. The now named “Lulu + Tate Holiday Party” has become an annual event each December, where we invite way too many kids over to our house and set them loose with cookies to decorate, a holiday movie and general mayhem. This year we added virtual reality in the garage and a service project to the agenda…it was the best!

This year we were extremely grateful to Qdoba for offering to provide the food for all the kids! Qdoba has an awesome catering menu, and we found it was perfect for a group of somewhat picky eaters. I even received messages from the moms afterward wondering what we had served to eat, because their kids loved it so much they were talking about it at home. And it made the party infinitely easier for me, because all I had to do was set it up in the kitchen, and let the kids go at it!

But the best part about Qdoba providing the food, was that it left us with money leftover to do even more good in the world. This party was initially created as a way for my kids to give back to our community…each child who attends brings an unwrapped gift and then we donate the gifts to a local charity. This year, we donated two wagons full of presents to Operation Breakthrough, an incredible organization that provides education, stability and assistance to children and families living in poverty in the Kansas City area. But on top of that, we were able to spend our leftover money on supplies to make “Care Kits” for children living in foster care, who may be transitioning to a new home with little notice and no belongings of their own. The kits were decorated and put together by the kids at the party, and then we delivered them to Kansas KVC, an organization that provides case management, therapy, family education and support, transportation and aftercare services, impacting thousands of children and family members each day.

I love how this sweet request by my former 6-year-old has turned into a holiday tradition that highlights the importance of giving back to our community in a very real way. While the party itself is a lot of fun, my favorite part is when we get to take the toys and other items to the donation locations. The kids are always so proud of what they have done, and I know that showing them how wonderful it feels to give back will stay with them as they grow up. So while I’m still not a “party person,” I’ll keep making an exception this time of year!