Dear Bria-

You went to your first day of Primary today! Your nursery teachers assured me you were ready. From my knowledge of you, I think you would be good with nursery for at least another year. Who wants to attend the class that sings and learns lessons when there's a class full of toys?!

You did well. Dad and I both dropped you off and then shamelessly stood by the door staring at you for another thirty seconds. We also checked in to see how you were doing in primary, without your knowledge, of course.

From all reports, you did great. You and your friend, Ava, did a lot of shushing people. At one point, you were informed to be quiet while a movie played. One of your teachers, Sister Rich, leaned over to ask someone a question and was promptly shushed by you and Ava.

It was only after I picked you up from Primary, that you seemed to realize that you hadn't gone to nursery. I think you were expecting to go to nursery after Primary. You started to get a little upset but I distracted you away from it.

All in all, it was a fairly successful day. I failed in that I didn't take a picture. I hope writing the letter makes up for that a little.

I am tired but did want to update you on the dress situation. In mid-December, you started wearing leggings and shirts. That was a real bummer because we got you two princess dresses for Christmas. You've continued this trend of wearing leggings more often. However, you still rock a dress a fair amount. You have too many day-time wardrobe changes for me to provide a precise number!

Also, you've become very screechy lately. You have one loud, high-pitched voice.

I love you Breezy,
~Mom
Sunday, January 5, 2019 11:54pm

Dear Bria-

As a family, we love to hear you say, "Kung Fu Panda" because it sounds like "Poo Poo Panda" whenever you say it. I let you watch a short YouTube clip whenever I brush your teeth. This started out as a way to distract you.

Brushing teeth was not your favorite. Now it's a routine. The past week or so you tell me that you want to watch "Poo Poo Panda. But not the first one." It's going on at least day seven of you reminding me that you don't want to watch the first one. I asked you today what was so wrong with the first one and you said, "I don't like the first one." More likely, that's the only one you've watched the whole way through!

We're slowly getting out of your wearing-a-million dresses stage. I think me locking you out of Crew's room (where said dresses are) helped. Granted, you still get into the dryer or wherever else clean, unfolded laundry is located.

This new stage is slightly better but far from my favorite. You run around naked. Yep. Naked or in you underwear. Please don't get mad at the obscene number of photos of you in your undies. You have only yourself to blame. Now you only wear three or four dresses a day and this is a massive improvement!

Your dad is out of town but you have been seeing him everywhere! You manage to spot white Toyota Carollas all the time when we're driving. You'll exclaim, "I see Dad!" I indulge you and don't try to talk you out of your belief that Dad is driving around town.

It's funny because I consider myself a very honest parent. I answer tough questions about sex and life to the best of my ability with honesty. Heck, we don't even do Santa! But I'm not perfect. As mentioned above, I tend to indulge childhood beliefs. A couple nights ago was a bad moment for me. I directly lied to you.

Here's the background. I had to put four young children to bed by myself. I was emotionally exhausted as well as sleep deprived. You were my second-to-last kid to put to bed. We had read the stories. I had already said goodnight once before I realized I hadn't brushed your teeth. I went and brushed your teeth. In the middle of saying goodnight a second time, you realized that you didn't have your stuffed animals.

I went downstairs and found your Anna "Barbie" (really it's just a stuffed animal but you love Barbies and you know I'm not going to correct you on something like that) and your stuffed dog, Biscuit. I could not find your baby doll you named "Baby Boy." I gave you your stuffed animals, hoping you wouldn't notice the missing doll. Not a chance.

"Where's Baby Boy?" you asked way too quickly.

This is the lie part. I had already looked downstairs. I didn't want a three year-old meltdown or for me to look more for him. Instead, I told you, "Dad took Baby Boy with him to the hotel! Baby boy is sleeping with Dad."

"Is Daddy giving him a bath?" you inquired.

"Yes! Daddy is taking good care of him. He's feeding him and and bathing him." We talked back and forth a little. You wanted to know where Daddy was and I tried to explain the concept of a hotel to you.

I told Dad about my fib and he stressed that we wouldn't find Baby Boy and that he would get blamed for losing him. I wasn't worried about that at all, sure that Baby Boy would show up. Bria, it's been three days and I still haven't seen Baby Boy! Dad comes home tomorrow and we'll see if you remember that he's supposed to have him.

I love you, Princess,
~Mom

Dear Bria-

Did I ever tell you about the phase you went through of locking doors? You locked me out all of the time! The worst was when you would lock me out of the house. Many times when I took Crew's diaper out, you would lock the door. One time in particular, the only way I could get you to open it was to bribe you with food.

We didn't have keys for our doors and had to unlock them with a screw driver that was too big for them. It took me over a month to get keys and I went about mad with aggravation. You locked the door of every room you went into.

Another cute thing you do is that when you hear thunder, you think a lion is roaring. I think this is thanks to the movie, The Lion King. It's pretty hilarious. I'll hear thunder and then little you exclaiming, "I hear the lion!"

You are obsessed with "church dresses" and wear them all of the time. Far from minding, I've embraced this phase of yours. You have a million dresses.

Maybe you're compensating for your lack of hair. Your curly hair is still woefully short. You remind of Annie from the movie, Annie.

You like all girly things. You love your dolls, affectionately named "Baby Boy" and "Baby Doll." Your favorite movies are the Barbie movies. You're currently on a Barbie Thumbelina movie kick. You love Disney movies, especially Beauty and the Beast.

You are a spunky girl and your talking has exploded! I can't believe how much more you are talking. You're talking is so much clear now as well. I noticed this morning that you were actually saying "breakfast" instead of "breapast."

I love you sweet Bree,
~Mom

Dear Bria-

Two year old Bria is my favorite! You are so mischievous and adorable. I don't know what to do with you. I have so much to say. I'm sorry that I've been the world's worst letter-writer. I don't want to forget anything but I am so busy!

I love how you say "movie." I've let you watch way too much TV. Half of the time it's for my sanity and the other half of the time it's for work. Anyway, you're always asking to watch a "moobie." It's the cutest.

We just came home from Virginia. I taught your cousin Lily how sometimes I tell you, "Curly hair don't care." She taught you to say it. You mumble the first two words together and then clearly say, "Don't care."

You love "church dresses." You wear them all of the time. You are constantly changing into and out of them. It drives me slightly crazy. I bought you a whole bunch of play dresses but they were not long enough or fancy enough for you. You want the real deal.

If we're reading a book, you'll point out "church dresses." If we're in the store, you'll shout, "church dress!" if you see one.

I love you sweet girl,
~Mom