Happy Birthday beautiful boy! I may sound like a broken record, but I truly can’t believe how much you’ve grown this year. I am so darn proud to be your mom. This year you turned 7 during quarantine – and even though this time is strange, it has also been full of quality time together. But let’s back up. This year, you started first grade, continued to play baseball, and really got into Pokemon cards. You think you know how to play and stare at those cards for hours, but if I’m being honest, you have no idea what your doing. You are still the most social kid. You talk to anyone and everyone. I hope you always carry this quality – even though I do hope you learn to filter your opinions at some point.

You are sweet as sugar but we also call you the wrecker, because well, you break things a lot. This year I took a solo trip and when I came back, I found a pile of hair in your nightstand. You cut both of your sisters hair and your own and then hid the evidence. The best part is that your dad didn’t even notice!

This year was a little off – in March we had to start distance learning and quarantine at home. Our family is always rushing to practice, or games or jumping between birthday parties so quarantining was actually such a nice change. We spent every day in the pool, went on bike rides or neighborhood walks. We started family movie nights and you LOVE them. Nearly every day after dinner you ask, “who wants family moviiie night.” You are such a sweet boy and I love that you love spending time with your family. You are always up for playing with your sisters – even if they choose the games, you are a light, always happy, and I adore you for it.

You still have not lost any teeth and it drives you crazy! The dentist predicted you would lose them at 7 years old and you are patiently waiting.

I love you so much Grayson, you are truly just a joy to be around. You are kind and sweet but also SO goofy and funny. Every day is better because you are in it. Even though I want to freeze time and enjoy all the moments at this age, I am so grateful to be able to watch you grow and change. Happy Birthday my beautiful son. Keep being great. Keep being you.

Love,

Mom

Dear Buddy,

There is one thing that has remained constant during the last six years – your laugh.  You are a cheerful person and genuinely good hearted.  You care for your sisters and can’t go a day with your mother.  This year you experienced more travel with trips to Colorado and Tennessee.  You continued to grow physically as evidenced by your ankles flashing below your pant bottoms.  Sometimes you grab some pajamas that are two sizes too small.  You continued to grow emotionally.  You’ve learned to deal with not getting everything you want, even though we give you everything we can and everything you need.  You’ve learned about winning and losing through sports.  You’ve learned about earning and chores, and the role your behavior plays in achieving what you want.  You’re a lucky boy, and we are even more lucky as parents.

I coached your first year of 6U baseball with BluPrint Black.

You and Lana have been inseparable.

You continued to play soccer.

You’ve stepped up and been an even better brother to baby Kara.

I love you buddy.  I hope we can continue to have this much fun together.

I love you buddy,

This year I started calling you “champ” and “buddy”.  I’m not sure why, but I try to keep a good portion of our relationship friendly so we “high-five” and “fist-bump” then the terms of endearment followed.

This has been a fun year for you.  You’ve played baseball, soccer, and even started some golf.  You’re entering your second year at Leewood.  Your relationship with Lana is strong, and we all welcomed your newest sister, Kara.  You’re a loving, unpredictable, and caring young boy.  We are proud of you.

We learned as a family this year to cherish the everyday moments, the smallest of gestures, and to brush away most of the bad.  Spending time with you in sports, at home, and just everyday from “good morning” to “good night” is what I enjoy the most.

Here are a few pics from this year.  We walk to and from school together.

We play together with your sisters and mom.

We enjoy Star Wars together.

I started coaching your 6U Coach Pitch Baseball Team at Glades.  This one is from your last season in the 4U division.

We only recently started golf together.

Last, a video that sums up Grayson from ages 4-5.

Grayson,

You’re a big boy now.  You can now function independent from your mom and dad, but you still have many lessons to learn.  I’m proud of the young boy you have become, and I continue to look forward to being your mentor and father for a long time.

This year you started baseball.  In your own words, it can be “boring” at times.  Your interest declines if the ball is not hit toward your direction or if it’s not your turn to hit, but I learned many lessons and made many friends on the baseball diamond that I intend to re-enroll you for next season. Here’s a picture from you at baseball, and enjoying maybe your favorite part – the post game snack:

You continue to play soccer because you enjoy the constant action, and I grateful that we can enroll you in multiple activities.  It’s already help mold you into an outgoing and fearless young man.  You’ve been social this year.  Any person within talking distance of you is a target for any conversation on any topic you deem appropriate.  You’ve talked to grandma’s at playgrounds, dad’s at soccer practice, the list goes on.

Just after your 4th birthday, you started school at Leewood.  Your transition was easy from KLA, and you’ve looked forward to attending every day with your new teacher Ms. Walker and all your new friends.  You have 15 minutes of homework on the computer every day using a program called Waterford.  It’s amazing to watch you navigate the lessons every day. Here’s a picture from your first day at Leewood.

You and I started Lego’s this year, and quickly you learned how to read the instructions and locate the pieces.  You still need me to help you build the Lego, and I have to admit it’s been fun to share that time with you.  Of course, all our Lego’s are Star Wars.  I can’t wait to watch all the Star Wars movies with you.

Last but not least, you and Lana have become best friends.  This can never change, promise me that.  She’s younger and smaller, but she’s strong.  Protect her, yet let her learn.  Stay close to her, yet give her the space she deserves.  Never let anyone take advantage of her.   Become the best big bother for her and your future baby sister – Kara.  Here’s a picture of you and Lana enjoying water balloons in our backyard, and a video of what happens daily in our home!

I love you with all my heart,

Dad

Grayson,

You’re 3-years old now, and though you’re a big brother, you’re still our little guy. You have grown more independent and out spoken. You can speak your mind and develop your own thoughts. You are growing quickly in many ways and understand everything around you, but you still need a guiding hand most of the day and we’re happy to always be there for you.  See how much has changed, yet so much remains the same!

This year our daily routine changed drastically. We bought a house minutes from where your mom grew up, and that means we left the apartment (our first home) where you lived the first two years of your life. The most difficult part about moving was walking out of your old room for the last time. We were emotionally invested in that apartment for many reasons. A main reason was caring for you as an infant.  Every night I put you to sleep after reading “Good Night Little Grayson” and two songs: “ABC’s” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. That room meant the world to me because of you.

It may have been difficult to leave the apartment, but the joy from our new home is greater. It’s a fixer-upper and maybe when I write you next year I’ll be saying the same, but your mom and I have grand plans for this home and it’s only a matter of time. We did celebrate your birthday with a bounce house and the pool, so the move has already been a success. You have a large playroom you share with Lana, and new bedroom with a Space theme. You love the moon and we’re teaching you about the Earth, sun, and astronauts.  Here’s a video from your 3rd birthday party.

The move has also brought us closer together. We commute early in the morning – all of us – to downtown. We then spend most of the day in the downtown area so you can attend soccer and swimming lessons before we go home in the evening. It’s a good routine, long days, but we’re always together.

You’ve also started watching full movies like Zootopia and Finding Nemo. Those are your favorites. You’ve learned to swim and you’re fearless in the water. You’ve become curious about the world. You ask, “what is that” all the time, and then you remember everything we teach you. It’s often surprising when you remember weeks later the answer to your previous, “what is that.”

My hopes for you at the age of three are to keep you curious, teach you to question the world, and to reach farther into your “memory, imagination, and ideas.” That’s another phrase you’ve learned this year. “Memory, imagination, and ideas.” I’d like you to stay physically active with soccer and swimming, and always push the limits of your memory, imagination, and ideas.

Love,

Dad

Happy 3rd birthday my beautiful boy!

I might be biased but my goodness you are the funniest, happiest, smartest and sweetest three year old that ever was. But let’s back up a bit.

Right after your second birthday you started school and you thrived. You are the youngest of your class but the teachers tell us you are so smart and don’t skip a beat catching up to the older ones. I’m so proud that everyone sees the amazing little boy that you are.

Not too long after that you also became a big brother! Lana lights up around you and you are ever so protective of her. I see a special bond forming between you two and it fills my mama heart with so much joy.

You are such a happy little guy. Don’t get me wrong you can throw a tantrum like the best of them but mostly you are smiling, laughing, and overall in a good mood. In fact when you notice someone is sad or mad you always ask “Are you happy? I want you to be happy” You talk to any one and every one is your friend. You truly are my little sunshine.

You are still such a snuggle bug. You give hugs and kisses and snuggle up to whoever is close by. I hope you never outgrow being so affectionate.

Right now your favorite hobby is swimming. We’ve had you in lessons for a few months and you are a fish! You are so fearless in the water which is so terrifying since even though you are pretty good for a 3 year old – you still haven’t mastered the skill.

You love the moon and everything about space. You get so excited when you spot the moon in the sky – we even bought you a moon for your room. Speaking of rooms, you are finally in a big boy bed in your new room and you transitioned seamlessly! You always get a book and two songs before bed and right before I leave you always ask for one more. And then you ask for your daddy.

This year you have grown up so much and every single day you surprise us with your wit. I just want to freeze time with you right now because there is possibly nothing sweeter than this age. You fill our hearts with so much love and I hope you know every single day how very much we love you.

Love,

MOM

Dear Grayson,

Dear Grayson,

You’re turning two in a few days, so it’s time I post another “letter” about you and our growing family.  That’s right, our family is growing.  The most important update is you’re going to be a big brother on September 21, 2015.  Lana [middle name TBD] Arteaga will be here soon to compliment you and add to our adventures as a family.  Every time we ask you, “where is Lana,” you look and point to your belly as if you’re growing your own baby.  That’s a small example of your comical personality.  Not a day passes without you making us laugh.  Your mom then turns to me and says, “I love him.”  I have to agree.

Maybe you’d like a visual aid of what life is like with Grayson.

You’re looking at the consequence of daddy babysitting while your mom performs a wedding.  These two pictures involve you eating blueberries while watching some combination of Peppa Pig or Sesame Street.  We also had pictures of you clean and neat while mom was babysitting and I was working, but we lost the photographs when your mom’s iPhone 5 was eligible for an upgrade to an iPhone 6 Plus.  I wonder what iPhone you’ll have when you’re old enough to read and control this website.

Speaking of technology, on the day you were born and then on your first birthday, I purchased shares of Disney and Twitter.  I’ll teach you more about investing when you’re older, so when you read this let’s sit down and follow the progress of your shares.

Perhaps the most interesting (and possibly odd) characteristic about Grayson the two year old is the following.  You own every sports ball, stick, bat, you name it I could possibly buy you and you’ve learned to swim so clearly I’m steering you in the direction of sports (though we’ll get to learning about investments and coding in the future), but the one thing in life you love more than all other things is our blender.

Every day starts and ends with your request for a “yelo” which apparently is your word for smoothie.  We honesty have no idea how you developed your obsession.  All we know is you must get your “yelo” and it’s an obsession.  Milk, banana, strawberries, and blueberries.

You’re a loving little guy, and this you developed from all the people in your life who love you: mom, dad, omi, opi, abuela, abue, your uncles and aunts, Zachy, and Carolina.  Be good to Lana, and be great in whatever you desire to do.  Your mom and I will always be there to support you.

Here’s one last video of the time you completely went bananas and your mother quickly captured the moment.

Dear Grayson,

I love you. I’ve decided to write you or “post” to your website as part of the many gifts you’ve received for your 1st birthday, and that message is the one I’d like you to remember years from today – that I love you.

It’s been a very fulfilling year. You’ve filled our lives with your personality and smile. We, your mom and dad, have been busy with our new business now that your mom joined my law practice while she maintains her wedding business. I gained a few pounds in the process! Most importantly, you filled me with love. I love you.

Believe it or not, after your first year you’ve taught me more than I could teach you. You’ve taught me to care more, to worry more, and to love more. I care for you as a father, but I also look forward to being your friend. I worry for you because there is so little I can control in the world around you, but I promise to do everything I can to make what is controllable great and special for you. I love you more and differently than I’ve ever loved before, like only a father could love a son. Thank you for teaching me to care more, worry more, and love more. I love you.

Your mom and I, grandparents, aunts and uncles have and will continue to give you all the tools you’ll need to be great. This website is one example. It’s a gift from your mother and I with the intention and hope that you can one day create with it and make it your own. Be great Grayson “the Great”. I love you.

I love you,

Dad