Dear Hayden,

Today you received a gift in the mail from a dear friend of mine, Sarah. Sarah is special to me because we had a great time together in college. She is one of the most honest, loyal and creative people I know and she hand painted this beautiful train just for you — and it matches your bedroom perfectly!!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

You have been going to swim lessons since you were 6 months old. Now you swim in the big pool with the older kids, but you have had the same teacher since you were a tiny swimmer! Coach Deb has taught you so much! Today you receved a ribbon for floating the entire distance of the lap pool on your back. You have a great time in the pool with her — and you are becoming quite a swimmer!

Love you,
Mama

You and Coach Deb after class

At the end of each class, you get to slide down the frog slide to Coach Deb! You love that slide!

Dear Mom,

Today, while you were at jury duty, I had a fantastic day with Meggy.

First, we went to the car dealership to pick up her car:

I watched Sesame Street while we waited:

Then, we went shopping. Meggy bought me a fantastic purple sock monkey:

Next, Meggy put me in a refigerator box outside and let me fingerpaint everywhere:

Then, I needed a shower:

Then, I watched Word World while Meggy made lunch:

Next, we had a pizza picnic outside:

Felix and Charlie decided to join us:

After Felix licked my fork, I couldn’t use it anymore, so I had to pick my pizza up:

Then, it was time to lie down for a nap:

I was able to convince Meggy to lie down with me:

After my 10 minute nap, we went to get ice cream:

How was jury duty? I would love to tell you I missed you, but, it was a fantastic day!

Love you,
Hayden Eva

Dear Hayden,

Lately, you have been cracking us up! You say and do the most hilarious things! I wanted to be sure to record some of them here so we don’t for get them!

– From your crib yesterday during nap time, I heard this: “Achoo! Bless you! Thank you!” All in a row, all to yourself!

– You and Dad are growing mint, and you come running up to us with pieces of it off the plant saying, “Mimp, you want to smell mimp!?”

– When you hug people, you usually say, “I’m happy to see you!”

– You say, “Thank you! Welcome!” as if it’s your job to say both.

Those are just a few — we’re so lucky to have you because you brighten our days with quite a few smiles!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Recently, your dad received a special gift from our friend, Donnie. The gift is a bike trailer that you can ride in when Dad goes out for rides! This is a very cool gift because Donnie gave it to Dad specifically so that he could make these special memories with you! You already love it!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Today you took what I believe will be your last outdoor swim of 2009. You and Elijah had a good time playing around! You love being outside, so the change in weather is going to be great for you because you will be able to be out there for more than 30 minutes at a time!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

We had a great opportunity this weekend to spend some quality time as a family. We had a fantastic time just being together. We played in a patch of snow, played on a very old train, hiked, visited some old friends, and went to a park. It was so fun!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

For your birthday, Grandma and Jiddoh got you a membership to the children’s museum — and you LOVE it there! Dad and I took you there for a visit today!

Love you,
Mama

Heading In:

Peg Maze:

Noodle Forest:

Other Play Stations:

Dear Hayden,

Papa and Dad made you this step stool. It’s perfect for when you need to wash your hands and look in the mirror.

Love you,
Mama

…and here you are exclaiming, “I dancing! I dancing!”

Dear Hayden,

You have had quite a weekend of birthday celebrations!

On Friday, Grandma and Jiddoh came to town to celebrate. They gave you some Curious George stuff, which you loved:

On Saturday, we had a pool party for your birthday:

Then, you received a package by mail from Uncle Ramsey, Aunt Lisa, Charlie, Alex and Oliver:

Then, on your actual birthday (Monday):

We met Nana and Papa for breakfast:

We went to Imagination Avenue to play:

Then, we met Nana and Papa at the toy store and they let you pick out your own birthday presents:

Then, after your nap you played with your new toys, we ate pizza for dinner and then you opened presents (shoes and books) from Dad and me:

You also got to eat more birthday cake!

So, all in all, we had a great time celebrating you! Happy Birthday, sweetheart. We love you!

Love you,
Mama