Today, I was walking around a shopping area close by home when a guy with a news camera stopped me and asked if I would talk to him. Uhh…yes! I’m one of those who don’t shy from a microphone. He said he was from a local news station. They do a segment called Street Fix where they ask people to talk about what’s on their mind…could be current events, personal interests, politics. I thought maybe he had asked the wrong girl since I have admittedly been laser focused on potty training and peanut butter sandwiches lately. I had, however, just left a store that sold strictly fair trade items and it brought my mind to a pressing issue that has come up in quite a few areas of my life lately – human trafficking.

I’m not sure I said anything of consequence, but I shared how encouraged I was by Houston’s awareness of modern day slavery. I mentioned the store I’d just patroned and a great speaker from the International Justice Mission I’d heard a few weeks ago. I didn’t exactly wave a banner or give a call to action. Perhaps, I should have. I hope I said enough to prompt someone to look into what we can all do to stop human trafficking in our lifetime…because we can, and it matters.

After my brush with local fame, I picked up Coltan from school and we cruised by Chick Fila for a little treat to which Coltan says, “Chick Fila is always about giving happiness.” God bless my little marketer. A chocolate milkshake and a little time solo with mom filled his heart with happy and that matters a whole lot, too.

Finally home, our gift-from-God-babysitter, Erica, had put sweet Leo down for a nap. After saying goodbye to her, Coltan reported that Leo’s door was wide open, his light was on, and he was fast asleep. I love it when stuff like this happens. I tend to put parameters around what I think my kids can do…not on purpose but if for 2.5 years I have put Leo to sleep in a dark, quiet room well then that must be the only way he’ll nap, right? nope. They always rise above my expectations and I really, really love that. No, the fact that Leo napped with the light on doesn’t matter, but what does matter is what these kids teach me in the smallest of actions.  Worry less and take a note from their ability to go with the flow and adapt.

 

Coltan is learning to read with me and we both love it. I’m using the book Teaching Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. 20 lessons in and it’s going great.

Also, tonight we finished up our first chapter book, Stuart Little. He loves it! On to The Boxcar Children Next and we can’t wait!!

Just want to make sure I remember this special time with my boy. He is a dream!!!

Yesterday, Coltan took a major tumble down the stairs. It was horrible to watch. He tumble forward and did summersaults busting straight through the baby gate at the bottom and landing on his back. I was horrified as I scooped him up and made sure he was in tact. Gratefully, and I mean that word so truly, he was fine. He has a bump on his head that is sore but he’s absolutely fine. He looked up at me between shaky breaths and tears and said, “But mommy was I brave?” Oh, mercy, yes little man, you were brave.

Then, today, the most awful thing happened. I fell down the stairs while holding Leo. It was, again, absolutely horrible. I have not recovered emotionally. Horrible. Again, gratefully, oh dear Lord gratefully, we are both okay. This time, Leo has a goose egg on the side of his head and I am sore pretty much everywhere. Comic relief: I felt hardest on my bottom. Good thing it’s padded.  I am just so terribly shaken.

I’ve no idea how both Coltan and I slipped on the same spot. I’ve inspected it, believe me, and it seems like a normal stair…but it was surely not today and yesterday.

I am counting my blessings repeatedly tonight.

Coltan has been sounding out letters for about a year. In the past month he’s been sounding out words on occasion and tonight after dinner he really got it! He sounded out about a dozen words. How exciting! I’m thrilled for the world about to open to him. And I just love how eager he is to learn. Yay Coltan!!!

 

I really love this particular video of him sounding out a word because it shows the whole thinking process for him. So fun.

Coltan had a police man birthday party this year. It amazing to see all his friends from nursery school and around London come to celebrate. Officer Sam won major daddy point. Here’s the cake moment…

oops the candles blew out in the wind! Birthday boy didn’t mind. He takes the wish making to seriously I love it!

This was the morning of the party. SO exciting!

and this came in handy

We even found a policeman walking by just as the first guests arrived! What luck!!

The doughnut cake…

Pin the Badge on Policeman Sam

and more party fun!

including sweet Princess Sofia whom Coltan adores!

I heart Officer Sam…

Missing just a couple kiddos in that last photo, 3 more boys.  It is hilarious trying to get that many kids and babies into a picture. I even caught the back of Leo’s head in the front! Awesome.

What a fun fun day! We’ve been in our new place for just over a month and Coltan had so many little friends at his party. How amazing! And it’s official. I love throwing kids birthday parties! Coltan was ear to ear smiles all day. I will spray paint boxes for hours any time just for that. He was so happy. Love that boy!!

 

I can’t type without feeling tears welling up already. Ah!

Dear Coltan,

You are my first child. You are when awe and wonder entered my life in a touchable, viewable form. You are light and warmth. You have captured my heart and you are so careful with it because that is how you are. You were created with a sensitive and caring heart. You are kind and compassionate. You love so well.

You are four. I’m so excited for you to be four! This is going to be a great year. You are learning so much. You love to learn! You know so much – bits of french and spanish you are so proud to speak, you sound out small words, you can do simple math. You are so curious and ask endless questions. NOTHING gets past you and that has taught me such a great lesson to measure my words. I am just so amazed by your little sponge of a brain!

Today, your reaction as you opened your gifts was so great. We bought you a play castle and as you ripped the paper off the box you kept saying, “No. No way. No. It’s not. No way.” You did the same for your Fulham football shirt. It was so funny. You asked if Leo would help you open your presents and you played with your new rugby ball with Leo and Dad. You love your brother. You protect him and get upset if he gets upset. You really don’t like it when he gets scolded on any level!

You actually woke up on your 4th birthday with a double ear infection. We jetted off to the Dr and you bounced back with the help of the meds. Even sick, you were so happy to spend the day at home and bring your Birthday rice krispie treats to preschool tomorrow. You of course are a little guy who has his moments but truly you are such a good natured kiddo. When we bump heads, it’s usually cause one of us is tired or hungry.

You love to dress up as a knight, superhero, fireman, policeman…even a businessman like daddy. Your imagination is wild and I love that are so creative.

You are a comforter. You know when people are sad and you do something about it. You say beautiful things…things like “You are the best mommy in the whole world and all the planets.” and “I love Leo’s sweet soft head.” and “Make a happy face when you tell Poppy (the neighbors cat) to go back outside, mommy.”

You bring me rocks and leaves you find outside because you think they are pretty. You are smitten with every little girl you befriend. You seem utterly perplexed to pick one that you will marry and you seem to think it is an urgent matter to decide.

I love being your mommy. Oh I love it! I thank God multiple times a day for Coltan Mattern Blossom…that I get the blessing of watching you grow. I am overcome with gratitude.

Happy Birthday Coltan!!

 

We had NO idea that Leo’s first year of life would be so packed full of…well…LIFE!  And in the middle such an eventful year, we were blessed beyond words with the love of our Leo. He is fun and exciting and loving and hilarious. I’m just so in love with this little guy. At one year he is walking like a 2 year old…pretty much running. He climbs the stairs at lighting speed. He eats and eats and eats…but hold the veggies unless they are in a baby food tube.  Bread is still his favorite thing to munch on and cheerios.  He can show you one finger when we say ” you are one!” and he signs “more” and “all done. ” He is really cuddly to me right now and has grown so attached to the little monkey Coltan gave him. He babbles all day and clearly says dada and mama. I feel like more words are just ready to burst out of him. He’s crazy in the bathtub. He wants to dance in there and sumo squats when I tell him to sit down and then pops back up. He sleeps great! 2 naps and 12 hours at least at night. He just seems to love life. He’s so happy and full of zest! Oh and he loves loves loves to be a MESS! Nothing bothers him.

We had a birthday party with our friends at our new place in London. I’m so grateful for these friends…it took a little of the sting away from being so far from family. We got back from our vacation on Saturday and the party was Sunday so I did a really quick and thrown together “Hungry Caterpillar” theme. Leo LOVED the cake. He was not so happy when I took it away. I’m sure he would have eaten the whole thing. I’m not surprised at all! Sweet gifts and good time with friends and we were all so happy to take the time to celebrate this very precious little boy we’ve been given.

The Nierentgartens…

The Harts…

Presents…Thanks everyone!

Cake!

He dove right in…

What was I thinking with that red frosting. It was everywhere!

Crazy, happy brothers playing…

The last picture was our attempt to get one of all the kids. Hilarious. Leo wouldn’t sit down or even be still enough to be in focus. Perfect.

The big boys got to take home a bug net and critter cage…Coltan fills his daily with creatures from the garden. The little boys got buggy bug books and sweet Grace, our only little lady at the party, got butterfly hair clips that I really hope I can see her wear before she’s 2!

Leo, you are a beam of light. You bring adventure and energy to our family. You are curious and brave. You are loving and enthusiastic. Your joy is contagious. Your smile is infectious. Your spirit is uplifting. I love you with my whole heart. Happy first birthday my gorgeous son. I will love you forever.