Fleur de Aleta

Dear Son, The teacher invited parents to come to share their work with the children.  One parent works for a judge.  The classroom became a court house.  Kids took turn as either a judge or an attorney.  One of the mommies took pictures and sent me text messages, with the comment, "Gregory looks cute as a judge."  You were wearing the judge's gown and had the gavel in your hand.  You looked adorable.  Your daddy said, "Supreme Court Justice Gregory O'Brien has a nice ring to it." When it was your turn to be an attorney, you had to defend your teacher, Mrs. Kim.  Mrs. Kim had a toy and didn't want to share.  It was your responsibility to represent her.  Instead, you looked at the judge and said, "Mrs. Kim should share her toy."  Mrs. Kim tried to explain that you needed to help her with her defense.  You would not budge.  It seems that we have raised you a little too right.  Mrs. Kim had to find a new attorney. ...

Dear Son, It's three days later and we are still on cloud 9, in amazement.  I just looked at my last blog post and realize that it was written around the time of your testing, back in October last year.... I think hope held it's breath for that long and so I didn't write.  Now we can breath, big happy breaths, mingled shouts of joy! You tested into Airline Park Advanced Study Academy for kindergarten!  Your score was higher than 96 percent of four year old children, nationally.  The areas of testing included reading, writing and math.  Sweet boy, we could not be prouder!  Every day, even on weekends, Oma and Mommy worked with you.  It's a pattern we started this past summer.  We decided to continue the education throughout the school year.  In essence, you had a combination of Home Schooling and Private School. We worked hard and you worked hard, but we never pushed you.  We taught you and if you weren't ready for something, we bac...

Dear Son, Aunt Didi and Uncle Bruce came to visit with Oma and Opa.  Oma heard you whisper, "I'm confused."  You walked by and said it again.  Then you walked into the room and announced, "I'm confused."  Oma asked you why.  You said, "I'm confused by you and you and you and you."  Pointing to each of the adults in the room.  Oma realized that you were trying to understand the relationship.  You thought Om and Aunt Didi sounded a lot alike.  They hugged and said that they are sisters.  I'm not sure if you understand how Opa and Uncle Bruce are spouses to the sisters, but I'm delighted how you are trying to piece together the family tree. A few mornings ago, you were working on your alphabet.  Daddy came into the room and commented on your letters.  You said with character, " Everybody is a critic."  Oh my gosh, it was the correct tone.  I busted out laughing.  I have no idea where you heard that from.  ...

Branson, Missouri Vacation Journal Our vacation started in Louisiana.  Well, sure, that's where we live, but it started in Gonzales, Louisiana, the location of a Hot Air Balloon Festival!  Mommy and Daddy were so excited to bring you on your first hot air balloon ride.  Oma and Opa took Mommy on her first hot air balloon ride when I was in my teens.  We were afraid you would back out of the basket the minute it was time to go up. Daddy stayed in the humidity and heat... he was first in line and didn't want to give up his spot.  He was in line for an hour.  How frustrating, but so worth it.  Thank you, Daddy.  Untethered rides are much better, but for you, this excursion was perfect.  We went high enough to see over the ferris wheel and the shadow of the balloon on the ground.  It was long enough for you to feel the heat from the propane gas.  It was a exactly the brief introduction to this type of flight that I wanted for you. ...

Dear Son, You've learned so much already, my sweet boy.  I don't know when you will read these letters... maybe it will be when you need them most in order to help you through a situation or prepare you for the future. Let's talk about anger for a moment.  You don't get angry that often.  Mostly it's when you are tired, which makes anger a secondary emotion.  Your anger is often short lived and forgotten quickly. Sometimes friends or family can go through a very difficult time in life and then feel the need to take out their anger on those who love them. You might find yourself in a situation like this.  If so, try to help the person.  However if you realize there's a level of toxicity that you can't have in your life, then walk away and keep the person in your prayers.  You can love someone and need to put space between them as well. I can give you a sample of when I was toxic.  For my divorce, I was angry.  I thought I handled mys...