Ryan,

You are my little boy who is very quickly turning into a little man.  

Over the Summer months you have really grown up and are listening more and learning to accept changes around you and to live alongside your brother and parents so we have a household that communicates with each other, respects each other and loves each other.

Don't stop wanting to make me happy.  I love it that you are considerate towards my feelings and you get sad when I'm not happy or feeling angry.  Consideration of others is a beautiful trait to have and although it may cause you some hardship later in life as people abuse your caring nature, don't stop doing it.  Thinking of others makes us a beautiful person.

You love animals.  You love playing with your toy animals and you enjoy watching animals on TV and you are intrigued by animals that live around you.  You used to love watching this TV documentary series called 'Africa' over and over again.  Each episode explored the different parts of the African continent and the animals that lived in each region.  I don't know of many 3 year olds who knew what a 'Shoebill' bird was, but you did.  It made me laugh.

At bedtime you normally go to bed with one or two of your soft animals.  You called them your "special cuddlys".  Some nights you stick to your favourites and other nights you swap it around and introduce a new animal into the mix.  You cuddle and talk to these animals before you fall asleep.  This week you have taken to spreading the love to every soft animal toy you have and putting them all into your bed.  There is hardly any room in there for you!!  But you make a nest in amongst them all and snuggle down for a peaceful night's sleep as you are surrounded by your special toys, safe in your bed in your home.

Mum xx

I am lucky to share a love of photography with other 'mother's to sons' in a blog circle.  Please be sure to click through to our follow our circle.  Next up is Janecka Lucia, a mother to 3 son's from Ohio, USA and here is her letter to her sons.

You are two now Elliot.  Not a baby and not a man, but such a rad little dude.  You continue to adore your brother and enjoy playing alongside him, copying him and trying to repeat all that he has to say (even if it's just the highlight of a sentence!).  You think whatever he does is fun and try your hardest to do exactly as he is doing, even if it is a hand stand on the lounge floor!

You giggle and laugh - a sound I love to hear and smile when I do.  You love dancing to the Wiggles and have to watch some Wiggles footage at least once a day.  You show me the dance moves by saying "like this, mummy, like this" and you put your arms in the 'Dorothy the Dinosaur' position.

Your favourite word is "no" and are prone to throw some short-lived 'terrible twos' tantrums.  It's really hard for you as you are not yet able to communicate exactly what you want all the time so get very frustrated with yourself or me or your father.

You have a good temperament and don't let too much get to you and realise that it is easier to give the toy to Ryan than listen to him cry and scream because you have a toy that he wanted.

We enjoyed a great 3 week break over Summer and we watched you grow so much - in height, in your language (3 word 'sentences' are the norm now), your confidence in the water, and learning to play by yourself with toys.  I was sad to say goodbye to the holiday and return to our routine of work and school.  I had better start planning our next little holiday............

Mum xxx