When a Four-Year-Old is Your Best Buddy

I'm pretty lucky to have a little guy who wants to spend every minute of every day with me. 

We do lots of fun stuff together. We play football and soccer. We play drums and guitars and ukuleles (which are the perfect size for a preschooler). We walk to church and go to Home Depot and mow the lawn. We make paper airplanes and watch hockey and play the Wii. It's awesome. 

But sometimes things just get a little too familiar. 

Like last night when he said excitedly, "Dad, dad! Guess what?! I used your toothbrush!" 

Or when I tried to go into the bathroom by myself and he insisted on coming along. "Buddy," I explained. "I just need to go in by myself for a self for a second."

"I'll just come with you," he replied. 

"But what if I need to poop," I whispered. 

"That's okay," he whispered back. "I'll just hide in the tub."

Which he did. 

I guess that's what best buddies do. 

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First year of preschool is officially in the books.

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Curtis' special place: My backyard.

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A lady an a bug.

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Sutherlands on Mars.

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Looks like Paige is already preparing to be a Buzzfeed writer when she grows up. She made this quiz for Curtis and Tate last night.

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Somehow, what starts as soccer always ends as pro wrestling.

Paige's Acting Debut

Paige was born for the stage. She started dancing when she was four [video]. She had her first piano recital when she was five. And she started singing in the school choir when she was seven. But this weekend was her biggest moment so far. Her big theatrical debut.

For the past eight months, she's been rehearsing for a play called Frostbite (which is in no way affiliated with Frozen, despite starring main characters who just happen to be named Anna and Elsa).

Paige had two roles: Lily Bo Peep and Snowman in a Hat. The world has never seen two more confident and animated characters. She knew her lines, hit her marks, and had the jazziest jazz hands of anyone on in the cast.

When she walked off the stage, she was absolutely beaming.

So were we. Proud dad and mom moment, for sure.

Mother's Day

Curtis can be incredibly sweet sometimes. He made this little Mother's Day card for Traci at school. But it was more than just a card, it also included coupons for stuff like a free back rub, a hug, and a song. 

After Traci thanked him, Curtis looked at her quietly asked, "Is there a coupon you want to use right now?"

"How 'bout a free hug?" Traci replied.

"You have to use the coupon."

She used the coupon. 

Tough but fair. 

...

Tate's Mother Day gift wasn't quite as sweet. 

On Mother's Day Eve, he fell asleep on our bed. Traci and I were downstairs watching TV and had kind of forgotten about him -- until we heard a bunch of screaming and crying. 

When we got upstairs, we saw that Tate had thrown up over every surface of our bedroom, with Traci's side of the bed being the epicenter. I took kid clean up duty. Traci was stuck with laundry details -- four loads after all was said and done. 

Happy Mother's Day, indeed. 

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If anyone needs some help with their Dutch skills, this little gem will soon be available at the Deseret Industries in Murray. #springcleaning