This Christmas card shall be written in the style of a
toddler’s attention span and in Latham’s voice (though the ghostwriter is his
mommy). Take note of how quickly I move from topic to topic, of how my emotions
may fluctuate at moment, and how similar I must be to James Joyce. I have deliberately made crazy
thought-changes and, hopefully, you’ll find it enjoyable (not annoying) to
read. I just wanted to try to emulate the wild, wacky, weird days of how a
toddler (might) think about life.
A Reflection on 2013....and how I rule the world
Towards the middle of last December, we went to Disney
World. Speaking of Disney, Mickey Mouse was the theme for my first birthday
party in April. Lots of friends attended as well as both sets of grandparents.
I also saw Grandma and Grandpa Blose in January, July, and November at my house
and in June at their house. Grandpa retired so he promised to be here a lot. At my birthday party, I had chocolate
cake. It is AMAZING.
If we’re talking about amazing, Daniel Tiger is the coolest.
Uggamugga, for real.
Anyway, I saw Gran and Granddaddy Copeland in February,
June, and August too. I also saw them in November because we traveled to
Alabama for the funeral of Grandma Butler (Daddy’s Grandma). She was a
delightful lady—so sweet and kind—and she will be greatly missed.
Aunt Carol came to visit in July and we had some beautiful
hikes out in Shenandoah National Park. I saw Aunt Bethany in November, and met
Uncle David for the first time in June. I also got to hang out with my cousins
Ethan and Eva in June; they are the coolest and can take baths by themselves
and eat with minimal mess. Wow. I also found out that I like hot tubs.
I had two new cousins born this year—Eliana, in August, to
Uncle Luke and Aunt Laura and Miriam, in December, to Aunt Anna and Uncle
Craig. They are both cute, but oh-so-small. It’ll be fun when they grow up and
can kick balls and play with me.
December has been a month of seeing people. We’ll be seeing
both sides of the family!
When we visit family or go on trips, though, I miss Mr. Oliver.
I love Oliver; he’s so gentle and always lets me play with his chewed-up tennis
balls. In March, we went to DC, our nation’s capital! I met several friends of
my mommy’s and toured the Capital Building. I almost got to go to the White
House, but snow interfered with that plan. There was snow in January, March,
and November this year. Every time I get to play in snow, it just seems more
and more interesting. My daddy loves the snow, but mommy just wants to drink
hot chocolate whenever it snows.
Snow and summertime both start with “S.” Neat. Daddy went to
St. Louis for a few days in the summertime. He sent me pictures of Clydesdales
and baseball games, but he said he was there for work. Mommy went to Louisville
in June; she made Daddy and I Facetime with her all the time, but she said she
was there for work too. I wonder if they eat crayons during work. That’s what I
would do if I was left unsupervised.
Not all of this year has been stunningly spectacular. I had
to go to the ER in May because I had an infection in my finger. And, this fall,
I had both croup and pneumonia. Mommy and daddy took very good care of me,
though I know they were always worried.
To really get them worried, I decided to become mobile and
start chit-chatting whenever I can. I started walking in April and haven’t
stopped since…except to run, run, run as fast as I can. I started babbling a
long time ago, but really began talking over the summertime. Talking is
hilarious. Mommy and daddy act like I’m the first person who has ever mastered
speech, so I know I must basically be the most brilliant person ever.
I did learn that I’m not the only kid in the world. Mommy
teaches on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I got to go to daycare on those days.
It’s so much fun. I have a ton of friends, sleep on a nap-mat, and try my best
to obey Ms. Loretta and the other teachers. I even learned to bow at daycare
when I showed off my Hallowe’en outfit.
Hallowe’en brought a fancy gentleman-pirate outfit; I looked
dashing. Everyone said so. I went to different houses and they gave me candy.
Funny thing, though, all that candy disappeared overnight. And Mommy was
super-hyper the next day. I think I’m going to have to pay more attention next
Hallowe’en.
Daddy cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving. I didn’t think I
would like it, but, whoa, it was juicy and delicious. I also liked Mommy’s Chex
Mix; the holidays are good for food! Mmm,
we had some chocolate doughnuts too.
I love reading, running in circles, dancing, spinning,
throwing balls, kicking balls, laughing, and being tickled. I started sleeping
better in the summertime, but that got a little boring. Gotta keep those
parents on their toes, right? Or at least give them an excuse to drink wine.
Seriously, chocolate cake. Can I have some right now?
