Dear Mary Alice,

Four months. What an amazing summer you have given us! You are laughing and smiling and squealing! Your brothers and sister can really get you laughing. An hour can pass by like a breeze through the trees. You have brought such joy!

You help me to see your siblings through new eyes. I enjoy watching them with you, and you remind me to let them just be silly.

You are an incredible sleeper. You only wake up at 3am and you go right back to sleep after you eat. Thank you! You were sleeping until 5am, but I think you may have had a growth spurt. That’s ok. I like you growing.

Riley starts preschool tomorrow and I am so thankful that you will be with me to go pick him up. I know it will make his day just to see your smile.

Next week everyone will be in school, so it will be just you and me kid. I’m excited to see what kind of groove we get into. Whatever it is, I know it will be great!

Love you so very much,

Mom

P.S. Here are the outtakes.

OK mom, just let me know when you’re ready.

Mom, why are my brothers so weird?

Mom, I think Julia is trying to steal my sticker.

Oh look! The fan!