D Turns 3

We celebrated D's third birthday last month.

D waking up and coming downstairs to birthday surprises.

Birthday crown!

I love three year old D.  I loved baby D, and D at one and two, of course.  But at three, my boy is all the more fun and challenging and clever and bright and sweet. His little personality is really beginning to take shape. There are so many things that I want to remember about him at this age:

He's starting to talk with his hands and nod his head approvingly when he hears a song he likes.

His expressions are becoming more expressive  

He's beginning to use larger words in the correct context; e.g., "Mom, da train is arriving!  It's bringing our food!  But don't touch it, it's fragile."

Although he's an energetic little boy, he's also a very sweet little boy.  One minute, he'll run into me during a power lap around the kitchen, and the next minute he'll hold my hand walking down the stairs and say, "I love you my darling."  Or he'll bring Jon one of his toys and say, "I brought you a (whatever the toy is).  That's how I love you."

He's content to play independently, but he really loves playing with other people.  

His most favorite toys as of late have been his giant bugs, his mighty machines, his super hero and toy story action figures, tools and trains.  Oh, and the Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel game.  Three words: squirrel shaped tongs.

Kiddo loves to read and go to the library to pick out new books.  Library day is always a big deal each week.  If you haven't read any of Bonny Becker's stuff, D highly recommends it--especially her books about the bear and the mouse.  

He also likes to create things.  We do a goodly amount of painting each week, which usually ends with him painting himself more than his paper/canvas/cardboard.  I think one of my most favorite moments with him was yesterday, when we were both painting and he stopped to think about what he would paint next while holding his brush in his mouth and tapping on his cheek with his index finger while we listened to Charlie Parker. 

Some of my favorite D-isms over the last month:

"It's harder than it looks," [his response after I asked him to pick up some crackers he had spilled on the floor].

"Put on your hat and be not afraid," [his advice to my mom when confronted with a problem].  I think I have to frame this D-ism and hang it in his room somewhere.

"Think I want to look out the window at this wonderful world," [his response when I asked him to close the door because it was 24 degrees outside].

D practice sleeping in his new bed.  Serious business.

First bedtime story in the new sleep space.

We kept the birthday festivities simple this year.  On D's actual birthday, he and I went out to lunch and then spent the afternoon at the children's museum:

Playing with squishy dinosaurs.

"Mom, I'll make you tea."

Petting dinosaurs...  we spent a lot of time around dinosaurs.

Training.

Ringing up his purchases.

Quick stop at the bank.

And some minor home repairs before heading home to open presents.

That weekend, Jon was able to take a few days off so that we could visit the Dells.  We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge, which is really geared toward kids and families.  We highly recommend if you have littles.

Story time and clock tower show in the lobby before bed.

There was a huge, indoor water park in the lodge, which D LOVED.  Big, squishy logs to climb on, an aquatic treehouse, water slides/water basketball--D has asked to go back every week since we returned. Did I mention the restaurant that brought our food on trains (see D comment above)?  It was a nice mini vacation; we had a great time.

Happy birthday, my boy!