Leo is 7

 Leo is 7. Last year I wrote that I’ve studied Leo closely. I'm still studying! As he continues to grow, he continues to display a command for attention. This year he celebrates 7 with two missing front teeth, full of questions about ALL the things, having had his first kid birthday party at the bowling alley, eagerly awaiting baseball season, a bit too into video games, testing any limit put before him and always ready to run out the door to play with friends. He's made 1st grade friends and crushes - I'm convinced these are the one's that always live on in your heart - has lots of questions about Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift and he's very serious about eating and has turned into a connoisseur of meats on the grill! He remains incredibly challenging, then ridiculously sweet, in a matter of minutes. He has always done things in his own time, almost commanding the way he captivates time, cadence, hearts, of those around him. This remains more true today then ever. He's got the world in the palm of his hand. Happy 7th Birthday to our Leo the Lion. Go get 'um lil man. Keep shining your light like only you can.

Leo is 6

 I’ve studied Leo closely. As he has grown, he’s displayed a command for attention that is new to our family dynamic. And to me, as a Mom. He’s incredibly challenging, then ridiculously sweet, in a matter of minutes. He has always done things in his own time, almost commanding the way he captivates time, cadence, hearts, of those around him. Finally, on his 6th birthday, after crying my way through photos, my birthday ritual

, I believe I understand. Of all of our children , Leo is a pack animal, and will strive to be leader of a pack, always. We named him Leo, the lion, we brought him into a family, with siblings and action all around, a community filled with love, we dressed him as a lion , we brought a sister to him to care for 17 months into his life, and Daddy snuggles him to sleep every night. He is hardly ever alone, ever. He has a tribe, a pack, and he knows no different. Since day 1, he’s been a part of something big. He is so abundantly filled with love, people and friends all around him, he is adored, exuberant, adorable, ridiculously social and personable, challenging, temperamental, snuggly and bold. He will, without a doubt, test all limits ever set before him, and as a result, grow to be king of whichever mountains he chooses to climb. The people, his people, that surround him will love him unconditionally. And me, as his Mom, never top of his list until he needs me for the love only a Mom can give, retreats in awe, of the power he possesses, and I watch in wonder. Leo, my Lion child, may you always have a pack to love you, may you find your roar as a leader, walk the line between fury and calm eloquently, continue to bring joy and warmth to everyone you know, and don’t forget to come home from playing and adventuring for a hug from your Mom every once in awhile I love you, whole heart, Leo. Happy 6th Birthday, my baby boy. Go climb some mountains.

Leo is 5

 Leo DeWire is 5 today! I could sit down and scroll through pictures forever, looking back on the past 5 years, and all of the love that Leo has brought to our family. My goodness, where does the time go? I had to pull myself away.

To know Leo, is to love him. To love him, is to appreciate the force he is. His zippy name defines his lion like personality. I've never known a fiercer lover of their people than Leo, or a child more ornery...I wonder often where this passion and zest will take him. Lover. Connector. Relator. Amazing child. You are adored. Leo loves toast, Imaginext guys, his people, his family, his cousins, making friends, bugs, science, his siblings, the neighborhood family, sports, white lies about his 'professional' sports career, snuggling with Daddy, all things Daddy, loudness, animals...I could go on and on. He is just so full of love. He is his own timekeeper, setting his own pace for he how tackles the world. We know he will do it with love for certain. My dear sweet boy, happy 5th birthday. I just want to snuggle you forever. You're still the baby in my arms I wrote about here, and it is a gift and amazing blessing to be your Mommy.

Leo is 4

 Leo is Four. Zippy, confident, loving and brazen, 4. He’s got a heart of gold, goes from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye, is a super hero to his core, loves his people, and in this year, found his powerful voice. This pandemic year brought him a true love for ‘home’ days, official potty trained status, a need to have everyone under one roof and accounted for, hours of time with his super hero army, a love for being read to, and a newfound love for Scooby Doo. There is never a question of how he is feeling, as he wears his heart fully exposed on his sleeve. If you need some joy and humor, and a reminder of how it feels to be in the midst of a pint size kid with the personality of a lion, all you need is 5 minutes with our guy. Beautiful boy, blaze your trail. We will all run to keep up with you, always. And of course, snuggle on demand. You are fiercely loved, and loving to all who know you in return. Happy birthday, Leo DeWire. You have my heart. Love, Mommy

Leo is 3

 Endearing, curious, ornery, lovable, hilarious and tenacious, sweet 3!!! You’ve arrived, rapidly, of course. Leo, you continue to challenge any status quo, adore your family, always want it to be a ‘stay at home’ day, and love your super hero toys. You so eagerly want to be a big boy, hang with your big brothers, and boss Adeline, and we so desperately want you to stay our little bundle of love. You light up the world sweet boy, for all who know you. You are loved beyond measure.

Happy 3rd birthday baby boy.

Leo is 2

 Happy 2nd Birthday, Leo! You came into the world on your own time, slowly and then all at once. This cadence has set the rhythm for how you tackle every milestone and every adventure. You bring unconditional love, warmth and tenderness to those you love, have the very best dinosaur roar, idolize your big brothers, remain fascinated with Adeline, and want to be a worker guy like Daddy. And when you yell for Mama...well, I’ll always come running. Love you, whole heart, our sweet and tender, wild one!

Leo is 1

 You never quite understand where the time goes. Day by day they grow into these beautiful little souls capable of lighting up rooms with laughter and love. Our sweet little Leo is one today. How is it possible? We never know, do we? He's showed our family how to care a little deeper, love a little fiercer and look out for one another just a bit more. He's our little light and has grown into an inquisitive, tender, bubbly, curious, perfect one year old. When he woke from his nap today, he had his brothers, two neighborhood best buds, Mimi, Pop and Daddy all surrounding his crib singing him his first Happy Birthday. Oh, to be so loved! Thank you God for our lil Leo DeWire. He has brought us all joy beyond words.

Mom Mom Marge is 98

In the year 1926, nearly a century ago…Benito Mussolini increased his power in Italy. John Louie Baird gave the world’s first demonstration of a working television at his laboratory in London. Three years before the infamous Wall Street Crash in New York City, land on Wall Street sold for a then-record $7 per square inch. The first transatlantic phone call from London to New York was completed. Ford Motor Company implemented the 40-hour work week for factory workers. Babe Ruth became the first player to hit three home runs in a World Series game.

In 1926, several of the most influential people of the 20th century were born, such as Queen Elizabeth II, Fidel Castro, Marilyn Monroe. On March 8, 1926, one of the most influential people in my world was born, my grandmother, Margaret Virginia Wren. “She claims that no one should live to be this old,” with a chuckle in her quieted laugh. We wonder if she means that.

She still lives independently, holding her freedom firmly with a sign I remember all my life still above her kitchen sink. It proclaims, “Do Something. Either lead, follow or get out of the way.” We know she means this.

She will never forget to send you a birthday card. She will always remember to call. She delights in old photos where you’d mistake her for a movie star, painfully delighted as we ask her to relive her history, adventures, loves. She’s laid to rest every beloved human, dog, love in her old albums and the pain is palpable, but she is patient with us now. Everyone from her generation lives only in her memory and she visits them in her stories.

We feel selfish and foolish in our 'youth' around her, I wonder if she thinks this too. My world traveling, strong willed, physically gifted, sharp minded, hostess extraordinaire, musically gifted, animal loving, Victorian furniture loving, Andes mint serving, Quaker Acres Queen, really gave 1926 a legend.

As her only granddaughter, I see her clearly now as a woman, as time has gifted me love, agony, victory and defeat, heartbreak, survival, enough to treasure her fully for all that she is and all she must hold in her heart. She always asks me if I’m looking after myself. She means this and she knows the answer without my words. Look out 99 - Mom Mom Marge is coming for you. Be gentle with her, her beautiful heart and sparkling blue eyes. She has truly seen it all and thinks so too. We believe her. #OneBeautifulLife