Owen (7) is in first
grade – he says his favorite part of school is writing and our only complaint
is that we can’t spell things in front of him to keep secrets anymore. Owen
attributes his successful transition from half-day kindergarten to a full
school day to: two recesses, his own desk, and the ability to buy lunch in the
cafeteria. It’s the big time. He loves: food on a stick, spiking his hair up
with his sweat, chess club, his soccer team, Wild Krats, strategy board games
with Kyle, losing water bottles, having people over for dinner, reading The Boxcar Children, drones, and of
course Legos (still) and Star Wars (still). He is still enjoying piano and
seemingly sings constantly. He also has a special gift for remembering theme
songs and imitating noises – you should hear him do Kyle’s electric toothbrush.
Award-winning. He’s thoughtful, responsible, witty, schedule-keeping,
sister-loving, inquisitive and kind. He’s an old man and a fun kid rolled into
one.
Rebecca (5) is in her last year
of preschool. She is basically a ninja; her sneakiness is unparalleled among
peers. And except for her fear of E.T. (who she thinks may live in her closet), she is fearless. She likes to order her
own food at restaurants, jump off really high things and play with matches
(supervised while camping, of course). She is a self-proclaimed tomboy but loves
to make “fashion clothes” for herself and her doll + stuffed animal entourage
(all of whom are named Rose-something).
Most of her free time is spent doing creative things for others: making art and
gifts out of trash, packing snacks for visitors and all of our car rides, and
planning parties and clubs. The birthday party she threw for her panda bear Rosie was the talk of the neighborhood
among 3-6 year olds. She has already mostly taken over making breakfast –
waffles are her specialty. She loves to tell people “tengo cinco,” and that she
plans on becoming an eegy-steegy-ologist, chef, artist, cheerleader
and momma when she grows up. She will still be a ninja, of course. We are
thankful for her creative, fearless, gift-giving, people-loving spirit.
As “the big kids,” Owen and Rebecca also got to
do some super special things like going to Disney World with Bee and JoJo
(jealous? me too!), skiing for the first time with Kyle and I, dove hunting
with Kyle, and driving a bulldozer with Grandpa Robert. It’s good to be 5 and
7, but #3 is joining in more and more.
Maggie, oh Maggie (3).
Each of our kids makes us laugh. But Maggie is at that wonderfully hilarious
3-year-old stage where almost everything out of her mouth is giggle-worthy.
It’s worth noting that she has NO inside voice – she’s funny and loud – and loves to shhhh others. Her favorite things are: reading
her favorite books to us by memory, singing her personal bedtime song medley,
her whale jammies, her pink plastic high heels (even good for running), her
naptime tent in my closet, her bear family puzzle, all animals and babies, and
Dora. She can most often be found: trying to surf Netflix and taking photos on
Ali’s phone (and complimenting herself for how good they are), jumping out from
behind things while yelling surcrise!, washing
her hands, introducing members of our
family by name and title to strangers and people we already know, sweeping, and
teaming up with her sister to stall bedtime. Rebecca tells her often that she
is not a Ninja – but she makes a
great sidekick to one. In addition to being funny and loud, Maggie is
independent, helpful, cuddly, enthusiastic, silly and usually pretty sticky.
Kyle and I have talked a lot about what a sweet
spot we’re in with our kids – their ages are just so fun – separately and
together. As a family this year we’ve enjoyed: a week at the beach, a week
hosting Pine Cove camp counselors, camping over Thanksgiving, playing Uno,
going on “family” bike rides (minus Alison: sanity break), movie nights – now a
real thing, and enjoying the bounty of Kyle’s meat smoker. Yes, he traded in
his dream of designing the perfect urban chicken coup for the reality of a
giant meat smoker, and we’re all the better for it. We’ve also enjoyed the gift
of having a houseguest that has truly become part of our family – Geanine. She
will be leaving us soon to work for a nonprofit in Atlanta; we will miss her
warm heart, intentionality, and playfulness.
Lastly, this September Kyle and I began a
year-long leadership development course through our church. There is no easy
way to summarize all we’re learning except maybe to say that we see with
increasing clarity the beauty of the person of Jesus. There is truly no one and
nothing better. To quote our favorite kids’ Bible: He came to show us God’s Never-Stopping, Never Giving Up,
Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love. He doesn’t just point us to love - He is love. We hope you are surrounded by
love this Christmas season.
With love,
Kyle, Alison, Owen, Rebecca & Maggie Mezger
With love,
Kyle, Alison, Owen, Rebecca & Maggie Mezger
