KITTY SISTER

Dear Weeb,

Just before Halloween last year, we lost our little black cat, Wee Hobbit McNasty. You and Hobbit weren't terribly close, but her death upset you quite a bit.

Since that time, you've bonded more than I expected with our remaining pet, Tibboh the Terrible. She's around 15 years old, now, I think. You two aren't exactly cuddly, but she does come to you for head scritches.

Today you were on the floor, drawing a picture on a large piece of cardboard and you had some sticker sheets strewn about, beside you. Tibboh thought it would be a good place to sprawl out, which annoyed you. I thought it was funny how you two were acting almost like siblings. "Daddy, Tibboh won't get off my stuff!"

It will be interesting to see how your 'friendship' progresses as you both get older.

ANIMAL CROSSING AND VANITY

Dear Weeb,

For the last several months, you and I have been playing Animal Crossing together. I have a long history with Animal Crossing and was delighted when you were old enough to be able to read enough to enjoy the game with me.

We've been playing the DS version - Animal Crossing: Wild World.

Anyone who plays Animal Crossing knows that you can have up to four characters in one house, in this game, and when you start a new character, they have to work for Tom Nook.

I had started your first character for you more than a year ago, hoping you would enjoy just running around. And you did, for a bit. But it wasn't until just recently that you really started loving it.

You've been really eager to start a second character and do it all on your own. This morning, I told you to go for it. Your second character, Cutie, showed up in town and got to working at Nookington's. When Tom Nook instructed you to put on your uniform (below), you replied, in true diva fashion, "I have to wear THIS? You have GOT to be KIDDING me!" You were terribly disgusted.

Suck it up, buttercup. I'm sure this is only the first of many uniforms you'll be wearing in your lifetime. Now please excuse me while I continue to chuckle.

DEEDERS & THE WEEB

Dear Weeb,

Your sister D and brother L came to visit last week. It was very hard to detach you from your sister; you were like her little mini shadow. They went home almost a week ago and you still miss them, especially your sister (who doted on you for most of the visit). We miss them, too.

D drew this lovely picture of the two of you (I believe at your request). I'm going to put it in a frame and hang it in your room. It is a fantastic picture!

BIKERS WITH ATTITUDE

Dear Weeb,

While you're with your Grandma and Grandpa during the week, they often take you and your cousin J on outings. And now that you girls are riding your bikes with no training wheels, they have been taking you bike riding. Grandpa enjoys riding with you, as he often did with me, cousin J's mom and cousin C's dad, when we were kids.

Grandma took this photo. I think it's completely awesome and makes me wish, even harder, that I was there with you guys on all your adventures!

CHALK DRAWINGS BY GRANDMA

Dear Weeb,

Yesterday, I went to pick you up from Grandma & Grandpa's house. We were hanging out in the back yard with you and your cousin J and Aunty M, having our usual end of the week 'what shall we do for dinner tonight' conversation.

I noticed a chalk drawing. This is not an unusual thing to see in Grandma & Grandpa's back yard, but this one really made me grin; it looked like it should be an album cover.

Grandma (who repeatedly tells us that she cannot draw) drew this. It's Grandpa, Grandma, Cousin J and you.

Grandma told me that you and Cousin J did not approve of how she drew your mouths. You had just had orange freezies in the blow up pool and your lips were bright orange and so that's how she drew them. Both of you were annoyed and redid your own lips.

I'm going to chuckle about this image for a while.

SUMMER WEEBING

Dear Weeb,

It's been a pretty good summer. You've learned to ride your bike - with NO training wheels! We've been swimming a bunch. You got to visit with your brother and one of your sisters. You got to hang out with your cousin J since you were both being watched by Grandma and Grandpa from Monday to Thursday during the summer break. You've even got to visit with your cousin C a few times!

So here are a few pictures, because I think you're adorable and just growing up way too fast!

WEEB THE BIKE RIDER

Dear Weeb,

You and your cousin J have been in a bike class this week. I was able to be there for your first day. They took you both, and two other kids for a ride around a school field track then took the training wheels off your bike.

You've been at it a few days now and you're getting better and better, but haven't QUITE found your balance and confidence yet. You will soon though. You're so close!

I can't wait to do some more practicing with you. You make me so proud!

You may wonder why you don't have a pretty, pink, princess bike. This is because you are riding the bike we bought for your brother for his sixth birthday. It has the world's most annoying bell, which you really love, much as your brother did. In another year or two, you can have the bike we bought for your sister's seventh birthday; it's a bit more purpley and I think you will like it, too.

GOTH TOES

Dear Weeb,

If you want our home pedicure of navy blue nail polish with silver sparkles to be 'Goth', then sure, it's 'Goth'.

You're five and a half and are excited to be Goth one day. Like with so many other things you say, I'm not sure if I'm really proud or incredibly frightened.

It's probably a little of both.

BOY GAZING

Dear Weeb,

I appreciate that you think Marko is SO cute that you just have to stare at him during your lunch break, but I want you to understand that he probably doesn't like being stared at, and more importantly, I would like you to actually eat your lunch.

Your inability to eat your lunch because you're too busy gazing upon a handsome boy (your words, not mine) is disturbing.

You are aware that you're 5 years old, right?

Eat your lunch.

Love Mummy

SWINGING

Dear Weeb,

You're finally mastering the swings. I still have to start you off, but you can keep yourself going pretty well, despite your many requests for a push.

One would never think that you are the same little girl who gets into trouble at school, nearly daily, for not listening to your teacher or for today's gem that got you sent to the corner, "I didn't mean that I'd REALLY punch Josiah's face off."

Nice, kid. Real nice. LOL