Good catch

Yesterday, we bought this amazing ball at West Side Kids (kind of like a big koosh).  You and I were playing catch with it at Grandma and Grandpa's house and discovered that you can catch it 9 times out of 10 -- even from 15 feet away.  So tonight, knowing he would be very proud, we decided to show Daddy even though it was past your bedtime and we had already said no more playing, only books.  You caught a few and missed a few but naturally needed to end on a good one.  After a couple misses, Daddy lobbed a perfect throw to you, you caught the ball and shouted at the top of your lungs, "Mazel tov!"

Monsters!

Hi Dad (pretty sure you are the only reader): A big summer update and birthday update is still coming soon. You will have to scroll down for it when I put it up. I'll let you know. Love, Me

Dear Stella,

While Daddy was in LA working on The House of Blue Leaves, during your middle of the night journey from your bed to ours (bad habit that Mommy and Daddy really enjoy), you started to close both bedroom doors. One morning I asked you why you did this and you told me it was so no monsters could get in. Of course I explained to you how every night before I go to bed I check the whole house for monsters and then make sure all the doors are locked so that you never ever have to worry about monsters being in our house. But you continue to do this anyway and talk with some frequency about monsters and guarding against them. When we were in LA, for example, one night you barricaded our hotel room door with clothes, bags, shoes, etc. ranting about protecting against monsters as you ran around the room securing various objects for defense. (Imagine Dad's suprise when, at 11pm, he returned from the theater and tried to make his way into the room.)

At dinner a few nights ago, I asked you why you were afraid of monsters, what it was you thought they might do to you. You answered that they might take you away from us. And so I explained that you don't need to worry about that, that nothing, no one will take you away from me and Dad until you are ready to be taken away. You immediately responded by telling us that you never ever EVER wanted to be taken away from us, that you would stay with us forever. What can I say? I'm glad that's settled.

Love,
Mom

Teacher Visit

NOTE: Summer and birthday updates coming soon. Stay tuned. (they will end up backdated before this one)

Dear Stella:

Today was a really exciting day because two of your teachers came over to meet you and us. You could not wait for them to get here and, when they finally did, you were incredibly friendly and cute. You showed them your big girl bed and your art project and Fancy Nancy. They told you about some of the things that are going to be in your classroom and you did an art project – a sun ray collage – that I think is going to end up somewhere in the Sun Room when you get there. You showed them your bicycle and played the piano and sang. Andrea told Daddy that you were one of the most precocious kids she’s even seen. She also asked us if you were born talking. You have gotten so outgoing and friendly recently and you certainly were both with Andrea and Jennifer.

It really brought me back to when Ms. Pearl, my nursery school teacher, came to visit me at home when I was three years old. I have vivid memories of being with her in my childhood room and I wonder whether today will end up imbedded in your brain as well.

Daddy and I were so happy that we liked your teachers so much. We both have a really good feeling about how much you are going to thrive in your first school experience. It is bittersweet, of course, because it is hard to have your little girl grow up and it is hard for me to accept that you are ready to go off and have independent experiences. But I am also really excited for you and I know that a big part of my job as your mommy is to make you self-reliant, self-confident and independent and that is bigger than my desire to have you stay forever my little girl. You’ll always be my little girl anyway.

Love,
Mommy