Category: Pete

Pete started preschool again today, and could not have been more excited. He went to the same school last spring, and when I asked him what he was most excited about, he said “playing with the Paw Patrol toys”. But after orientation on Monday, when he got to see some of his friends from last year and meet some new friends, he decided he was most excited about playing with his friends. He was very sad to learn two of his friends are now in Kindergarten, and informed me that he will “never ever go to school every day” … hopefully he changes his mind by next year!

Pete seems to have grown up overnight. He literally woke up from a nap a few weeks ago and Pat and I were both convinced he had a growth spurt. All of his pants were suddenly too short and it’s like he’s this grown up version of himself …  he is 4 going on 14, no doubt about it!

James didn’t want to miss any of the action, and quickly jumped into a picture too:

When we dropped Pete off, James made himself at home, pulling out a chair and sitting down to color. When I broke the news that Pete was staying at school and we were leaving, he ran right up to Pete and said “I love lou”. It was so sweet! Pete gave us both hugs and a wave and that was that.

At pickup, he told me he had an “awesome” day and that he wants “more school days and less mama days, because school is a lot more funner”. My heart may have cracked a tiny bit, but I couldn’t be happier that he likes it so much!

Pat and I are so proud of Pete. He’s a funny, smart, kind, confident little boy and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for him this school year!

Happy 4th Birthday to our sweet, sweet Pete! Pete is growing up way too quickly and sometimes looks like such a big boy it makes my heart hurt.  I cannot believe he is 4! He has been so excited to be “2+2” for so long and has been asking about his birthday for weeks. I think it made Pat and I equally as excited for his big day!

I find it very difficult to adequately capture Pete with words … he is just this amazing little boy with such a big personality that I feel like writing about him will never do him justice. You have to experience him to understand him, if that makes any sense. Pete is a great kid. He can be oh-so-challenging at times because he is precocious,  incredibly stubborn (no idea where he gets that from), opinionated and sometimes just too smart. But Pete is also one of the kindest, most caring, empathetic people I know. He cares so deeply about people, his animals and toys and the creatures he imagines. He is the best big brother I could imagine to James because he truly loves him and wants the best for him. We joke that he is “parent #3” because he often yells out “baby electric!” or “baby at the water bowl!” when James is getting into mischief.

Pete is a chatterbox. There are days and nights that he never stops talking (literally, never) and Pat and I just look at each other and sigh smile because we cannot keep up with his train of thought. He’ll talk all through his bedtime routine, while we’re reading books and singing and sometimes he’s still talking as we close his door and say goodnight. We’ll hear him talking to his animals and reading them stories and he often falls asleep mid-sentence. His imagination is incredible and he weaves these intricate stories that make complete sense to him and he is never not thinking about something or another. He is so inquisitive and I thank the creators of Google on a daily basis!

Some Pete-isms from his year as a three year old:

After putting Pete to bed and then walking back into his room:
Mama: Pete! I forgot to sing you songs!
Pete (on a fake phone): What’s that Mom? I’m on the phone.
Mama: Oh, sorry Pete.
Pete: That’s okay Mama (hangs up fake phone). I’ll just send them a text message.

After making a smoothie for himself (with Pat’s assistance):
Pete: Mmm, mmm, mmm … that is one good smoothie. Thanks, Pete, myself!

At his old school in RI:
Miss Kathy : Pete, do you want to ask Miss Jessica about that?
Pete (thoughtful for a moment): No. That actually won’t be necessary.

After we moved into our new house:
Pete: Sigh. Oh Mama. How do you think our old neighbors are doing without us? Maybe we can bring them flowers to make them feel better for missing us.

About 5-6 months after Jimbo was born:
Pete: Well Mama, I’m not new new like James, but I’m still kinda new.

After hearing a loud crash on the stairs:
Mama: (holding my breath)
Pete: Hey mama?! I slipped coming down the stairs, but it’s ok. I caught myself before I braked a bone”

Getting ready to help Pat with yardwork outside:
Pete: Mama, I think we need some privacy here.
Mama (confused): Oh, okay. Why?
Pete (sighs and rolls his eyes): Oh mama, it’s just an expression.

Pete seems to possess a wisdom beyond his four short years. We often hear that he is an old soul, and I think I have to agree. He has this intangible quality about him that I find hard to even describe … I am absolutely fascinated by him on a daily basis.  We are so, so proud of Pete and I feel so incredibly lucky that I get to be his mother. He is just such a special little boy and has no idea how much joy he’s brought to Pat and I. When Brienna died, it was like someone turned out the lights … but then Pete came along and turned them back on for us. I’m not sure he will ever truly understand what a gift he is.  We love him so, so much and are excited to see what’s in store for our favorite four-year-old!

Our biggest little man is 3!  I literally cannot believe he is already three years old.  We celebrated his birthday with a trip to the NE Family Fun Festival and then a “party” at our house with our parents and sisters. Pete was spoiled rotten with presents, and is so lucky that his family loves him so much!

Pete goes to preschool three days a week and loves it.  He can be shy at times when he first meets people, but his teachers jokingly call him “the president” because of the way he charms them.  Pete makes them (and us) laugh on a daily basis.  He talks nonstop (literally) and has the worst RI accent – we are hoping to rid him of it soon!  He tells these tall tales that sometimes make no sense to anyone but him; his imagination is incredible and constantly amazes me.  We love watching him play with his trucks and/or animals and listen to the stories he makes up as he plays.  Pete asked that when he turns 26, he get a a tow truck and two broken cars for his birthday.  He requested a wagon for his third birthday, which was much more reasonable 🙂

We took him to the Mystic Aquarium for his birthday, and he loved exploring everything.  He of course liked the blue jellyfish the best and as we were walking around, he told us “this place is wonderful!”

Pete is a sweet boy.  He has so much empathy for others, and is always trying to make people (and animals) feel better. He is compassionate and loves to help people.  He is also very funny and smart.  I am thankful Google exists because some of the questions he comes up with stump me!  Pete is incredibly strong-willed and stubborn (no idea where he gets that from).  He likes things his way, and his way only.  If I finally convince him to do something, he’ll let out this resigned sigh and say “ooookay, Mom” as if he’s 13, not 3.

Pete is thriving in his new role as big brother.  He loves James and he loves to help take care of James.  When James cries, he stops what he’s doing and sings “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” while standing as close as possible to James.  It’s pretty cute!  He’s also asking lots of questions about Brienna, and when we passed a cemetery recently, he asked if he and doggie (his constant companion) could go to Heaven and visit her.  He was so sincere and so sweet; it broke and melted my heart.

We love our sweet Pete and are so proud of him!