Augustus William-a name meaning “Great protector.” This was a big name with a big meaning for a little guy to live up. Even though you did not have any knowledge of this you seem embody it completely. You are the glue that holds us all together and keeps us going. You are such a sweet soul. Happy Birthday my dear son! I love you so much.
I cannot believe it was four years ago that you came into
this world. Again, I will post as I always do the story or your birth. Reading it each year brings tears to my
eyes.
Let’s talk a little about the past year of your life. First,
you went to a new school. You started official full day preschool at Pope John 23.
I was very cocky when you first started because you have been going to daycare
full time since you were 10 weeks old. I thought this would be a piece of cake
for you. Well, it wasn’t. We had a rough start. You and your new teacher, Ms
Ruge did not connect at first. You would always tell Dad and I that you wanted
to go back to Ms. Kelley’s class. Ms. Kelley was from your old daycare and personally
I thought she was too hard on the kids, I may have called her the “B” word once
or twice. However, I realized that you loved and craved the structure she had
in the classroom. That you like and respect people who can tell you and show
you the boundaries. Ms. Ruge is very sweet but she did not nearly have the
control over the classroom as Ms. Kelley did. You would actually tune her out
because the chaos overwhelmed you. Dad and I set up a meeting with her to find
out what was happening. She set up a listening chart for you and we had a
reward system in place and I am so happy to say that this really worked. You
two bonded and now you love her and she understands you a whole lot better. She
enjoys your personality and you enjoy being in her classroom. Below is an excerpt of an email she sent to
us.
From: Sarah Ruge
Subject: Gus
Date: January 28, 2013 5:38:12 PM CST
To: Jennifer Bell, Mark Bell
Hi Jennifer and Mark,
Gus had a great day today. He was totally fine
after you left this morning Jennifer. Our priests Fr. Bill and Fr. Greg
came to visit this morning and Gus was loving it! They brought this bear
puppet and talked to the kids about God. He was so engaged in the
conversation, it was so sweet.
Also, I had the funniest conversation with Gus this
afternoon. We were doing his sticker after school and he needed to use
the potty. He was taking a long time and I told him he needed to hurry up
so I could take him to after care because I was getting ready to leave.
He asked me if my Mom was coming to pick me up. I told him I didn't
live with my Mom anymore because I'm all grown up so I live by myself.
Which ensued a very deep conversation. He was just so shocked.
He said, "You don't have a family?!" I told him one day he will
grow up and live on his own too. Then he asked who will cook for him and
read him stories and turn on the TV. It was too funny. Usually the kids
are shocked to hear that I too have a Mommy and Daddy, but he was shocked I
didn't live with them. Very cute!
Sarah
Gus we hope you will
eventually learn to read, cook for yourself and master that art of the remote
control. In the meantime this made us smile!
Humor continues to be
very important in your life. You love to laugh and now you love to make other
laugh. It amazes me how you really understand and get humor. You know what is
funny and how to make people laugh. Ms. Ruge is the master at creating projects
that allow you to answer and your Dad and I love your honesty. Here are a few classics that we have added
below so when you grow up you know just how you were.
This was the first one that came home. I laughed so hard. You were not my biggest fan and apparently you had an unhealthy obsession with TV. This mad me feel like a mean mommy!
Then this little gem came home. We talked about putting your listening ears on, but the volume thing was all you.
Next cam this one, again we were not sure where you came up with this one. Then we went to your friends Samantha's birthday and she had a baby brother named Joshua.
This was your Winter Wish! I thought it was sweet!
Finally this was Valentine's Day. I was super pumped that you were going to catch me a fish!!!????
We took a couple trips this year. One trip was on the 4th of July and we went to Dallas and it was hot, hot, hot!!!!!! You enjoyed swimming everyday in Hannah and Papa's pool, basically in 5 days you learned how to swim! You had no fear! It was so much fun to watch you.
Then for Thanksgiving we went to San Antonio. Papa Steve found a beautiful lake house for us to all stay at and we met your new baby cousin Phoebe. It was fun to hang out with family.
So Gus to sum this all up you are handsome, kind and sensitive. You are the "Great Protector" of our family and your friends. You are the light of our lives and make us smile everyday! I never new that having you would bring me as much smiles as it has. Your Dad and I are so proud of you. Thank you for being you and I hope you never change. Thanks for the last 4 years! I love you so much! Happy Birthday Gusser!
