Three Years Old!

On Thursday, my "baby" turned 3!  That's right, 3!  Where has time gone?  How have three years passed since he was born?  Some how they have and he is officially a three year old.  Amazing.

It has been the best three years of my life, and every age and stage we get to I think, "this is the best, I wish he could stay this age forever" and then we reach another new age and I think that all over again.  I LOVE this age.  Three is great. 

Wil has officially made the transition from baby to little boy.  His features have thinned out, he talks and acts like a boy, he is interested in boy things, he has matured in many ways and he is so tall and handsome.  He will always be my "baby", but he would much prefer you call him a big boy now. 

At three Wil does everything you think a typical three year old would do.  He is happy, friendly and loving.  He is still nice and cuddly (and I am taking advantage of this because I know it will end all too soon and he won't want mommy cuddles all the time).  He loves to make people laugh, and he loves to laugh himself.  He does have an intense, serious side and can be very focussed and determined when he wants to be.  Wil can throw a wicked tantrum when he is upset or overtired, and can kick and scream with the best of them.  He has learned some tricks to help him "cool down" and we have also learned some tricks that help out when these happen.  It is amazing to see him processing things and being able to talk to him about what is wrong, and finding ways to fix things when he is upset.  Again, no longer a baby, becoming so much more independant and self sufficient.

Wil loves to read, and now write.  He still has a ton of books memorized that he can "read", but now he can actually read.  He has started recognizing high frequency words and sight words and really loves to point out words in books and in stores or on signs that he can read.  He has also started writing letters. Wil loves to try to draw letters and write his name.  He also enjoys drawing pictures and his new favourite thing to draw is happy faces. 

Wil LOVES to sing.  The anthems are still quite popular and some mornings I hear them over and over and over and over and over and over... in addition to the anthems, Wil loves to sing with the radio and often i will catch him singing in his carseat in the car to songs I had no idea he knew the words to.  We also have a dance party in the basement most nights where we turn the radio on and we all dance around (Wil watching himself in the full length mirror, singing and dancing) and I love that. 

Wil has too many accomplishments and has learned so many new things that it is hard for me to narrow them down, or even to list them all.  So I will just say that he is an amazing kid.  He continues to surprise us everyday with what he has learned and what he can do.  He is fun to talk to, he is fun to listen to and he is fun to play with.  He makes us happy, he makes us proud, he makes our lives better.  We are so lucky to have such a perfect little man in our lives and look forward to watching him grow up (just not so fast!).

3 Days Old

 

 

One Year Old

 

Two Years Old

Three Years Old

(in his new birthday hat)

Happy Birthday to the most amazing three year old boy!

Carson's Day!

Today was the second day of preschool for Wil.  Initially, he had a little (gigantic) meltdown.  He wanted no part of it... in he had to go anyways.  The director of the school carried him around for a while and called me about 15 minutes later and said he was fine now and playing with another little boy.  He will get there, and grow to love it I am sure.

I have always sort of felt bad for Carson in some ways.... the second child gets the short end of the stick a lot of the time.  Wil got to do all kinds of great programs and activities, he had all sorts of one on one time and he had new clothes.  Don't get me wrong, Carson gets spoiled in his own way, despite hand me downs and not getting to do Gymboree classes, I just always felt a bit bad about the lack of activities.  I am taking the time I now have while Wil is in school to do some fun things with Carson.  We are registered for swimming lessons on Thursdays and on Tuesdays "the world is our oyster".  I am excited for the opportunity I now have to spend some quality time with just Carson.

Today we went to a play place, Play A Latte.  It is very close to Wil's school, so if I need to go change a poop or whatever, we are nearby.  It is also free for little ones under 18 months, so I am going to take advantage of that while I can! There isn't much you can get for free anymore!

He played, and played and played and played, until he literally could not play anymore.  It was great.  It was also nice a nice change of pace for me to only have one to play with and watch and make sure they are safe and being good.  It was easy!!

He bounced and bounced and bounced on the little horses.

He climbed and slid I don't know how many times

He fell in love.

He spun around and around.

(He also carried this thing all over the play place, laughing)

He played in all the different bouncy houses.

He also discovered his shadow and played with it for a little while.

 

We left shortly after he played with his shadow, so we could pick up Wil, I think we were in the car for about 23 seconds before he was fast asleep.  He didn't even wake up when I parked the car at the preschool.  Luckily I was parked right beside the school door, so I could just slip out to get Wil as he ran out and not disturb Carson. That afternoon he also had a three hour nap!  Needless to say, I think he enjoyed "his day" and we are both looking forward to the ones to come!  

Fall!!

So I am not a "summer" person.  I do enjoy many aspects of summer, but unlike most people, it is not my favourite season.  I LOVE fall.  Love it.  I love the fresh, crisp air in the mornings.  I love the sunny, but not sweltering hot afternoons.  I love how much easier it is to go outside without having to worry about covering the kids and myself head to toe in sunscreen. I love the changing colours on the trees, I love back to school, I love fall clothes, I just love everything about the season.  It just makes me feel happier. 

This past week was a great fall week.  Still warm in the afternoons, but so nice and fresh in the mornings and evenings.  We spent lots of time outside, and are really taking advantage of this wonderful time of year. 

Fall also brings the return of sleepers!

(the boys looked super cute in their little short set pj's, but having Carson back in sleepers reminds me of just how cute they are too! I was also excited to find that the Carter's store has feety jammies all the way up to size 7, so I can get Wil some for this winter as well!)

Playing in the "ball pit" in the awesome Robot sleepers

(he was pretending to sleep on the balls)

After running errands one morning we had an impromptu beach party on the driveway!

(so nice that I didn't have to spend 10 (or more) minutes sunscreening them up, we could just play)

Carson LOVES driving things and making "brrrm, brrm, brrm" noises

Some road hockey after supper

(Ever so stylish in their fedoras!)

Some bike riding

(this has become the evening norm, road hockey and then a bike ride)

We found a grasshopper!

Carson has no fear of anything, he just picked it right up while Wil squealed!

Cozy in blankets on chilly fall mornings

Some after dinner entertainment, Daddy and Wil making music

Another fall routine that we have stumbled into is weekend morning baking.  Since Carson is allergic to peanuts he can't have many things from the bakeries in the stores, I have been collecting recipes and making a lot more things from scratch.  It started a while ago with pancakes, because even some pancake mixes "may contain nuts" and has evolved into pretty much everything else.  I am just not totally trusting in the mixes anymore.  The great thing is, it isn't really that much harder than a mix, it tastes so much better and is way healthier.  I have found a bunch of great recipes and I modify them here and there to make them a bit more nutritious.  Wil really enjoys helping, so on the weekends when we have more time, we pick something to make.  This weekend we made blueberry muffins, Wil is checking on them in this picture.  He said, "they are almost ready.  They are getting really big and muffiny!"

 

Our muffins

(they were really good and didn't even make it through the weekend.)

 

Fall also means the return of football!  This makes Chad very happy.

The boys are all dressed up for game day!

This photo has nothing to do with fall... but two weekends ago Uncle Kim and Grandma Red Deer came down to do some tiling and some painting.  Here is the new tile in our kitchen - thanks Uncle Kim, it looks great!

PRESCHOOL!!!

So today was the day.... Wil's first day of Preschool. 

I can not believe my "baby" is grown up enough to go to school.  I did not sleep last night, and had all kinds of thoughts and emotions going through my head, was up early to shower and get organized and wait, and wait, and wait...

I had to wake Wil up this morning, he had no issues sleeping! 

 

 

After rushing through breakfast and getting dressed, we headed off to school!

 

Our first day of school sign - the plan is to do this every year and see how things change

(for those of you who don't know, Special Agent Oso is a Disney Character that is sort of like a James Bond Panda Bear who helps kids learn how to do everyday things on their own.  He is not quite as slick as James Bond, always a bit clumsy and bumbly, but fun to watch and Wil likes the idea of helping kids learn new things.)

 

It was REALLY challenging to get a picture with his face, he was not in a picture taking mood!

First Day of Preschool - Funny Face

Blurry because he would not sit still... but at least he is smiling!

Carson got yanked out of bed to get to school on time, so he was still having breakfast when we were headed out the door!

At school with Charlotte!  It's going to be so fun to be in the same class!

(cousins)

 

 

After getting to sit for the good morning song, and see the crafts for the day, it was time for the parents to leave.  I was so anxious.  Wil was doing a good job exploring the room and playing, checking in with me every so often, he seemed like he would be fine.  I went to say bye, fighting my own tears, and Wil half heartedly said, "Mommy, I don't want you to go." But I did as the teachers told me, and said, "I have to go now, I will be back after story time to pick you up" and out I went, crying.  I don't think Wil cried, I think he kept on grocery shopping, just mommy cried!  It was a bit tough to leave my big man. 

 

Carson and I went off to a play place to spend some time playing before we had to go back and pick Wil up.  About half an hour in, my phone rang, I was panicked that he was having some kind of giant meltdown and I was getting called to come pick him up.... not quite... he pooped in his pull-up and I had to go change him!!  Back in the car, back to school for a quick change and potty pep talk, and Carson and I left again.... this time no complaints or tears from Mommy or Wil!  Since it wasn't too long until pick up time, Carson and I just went for a nice fall walk, picked up leaves and berries, tried to catch ants but smooshed them instead and ate some sticks (Carson, not me).  Back to school to pick up Wil... He came out with his new school bag and a big smile, saying he had fun at school, then told me I should take him to "Old McDonald's" for a nice lunch.  He seemed happy and even said he would go back again!  All in all, I think it was a success.  They have a staggered entry for the 3 year olds, so we don't go again until next Tuesday (to help the kids adjust slowly), but so far we are off to a good start!  So proud of my big guy!



 





Our first preschool Craft

(Not much, but it's something!!)

 

In addition to my parent handbook and some information, we also got a Scholastic Book Order form!!  So excited!  I loved these when I was a kid, and even more when I was teaching... Wil and I are going to look through it together and pick some new books!  I think I might still have some credits from when I taught too, so we can get some free books! I love back to school time!

 

Back on Track

Why does it always seem like it takes longer to "recover" from your vacation than the actual vacation?!??!?!?!  There is nothing like getting away, relaxing, visiting family and friends and just breaking away from the normal day to day routine... but for some reason, I feel like I have been playing catch up since we have been back home.  Never ending laundry, cleaning, groceries, cooking now that i don't have my mommy doing that for me anymore, and keeping the boys happy, getting them back into normal life and throw in a weekend of retiling the kitchen and a few colds and we get to where we are now!  Oh yah, and getting Wil ready for his first day of Preschool... which is on Tuesday (ack!). We had a perfectly busy vacation, and have been equally busy since being home.  I am just now feeling caught up and normal... until I think about the blog and how far behind I am on this!!  Back on track now though, so here is the jumble of pics to fill the gaps!

Our first day back we went to get groceries, the boys were a bit out of sorts, so they took a ride on the hot dog bus to help cheer them up.

 

Carson discovered he LOVES plums, this was plum number 4

Wil has ALWAYS eaten cereal dry.  He loves milk, loves cereal, but put the two together and we get a meltdown.... until this day, when he asked me for Rice Krispies and Milk together, and he ate it all!

We went bike riding with our buddies

Wil got his very own "real" tricycle and was so excited.  He was even riding around singing Elmo's Tricycle song.  We ride it everywhere now, so cute.

 

We went to the Calgary Corn Maze - AWESOME for kids and toddlers.

Wil's first time mini golfing

Carson's too!

They had a petting zoo

(Carson had NO fear, pet and chased all the animals)

Wil was a bit more tentative, but made friends with some goats

Chickens!!

(freaked me out, but the kids loved them!)

 

In the corn maze

(I did have some "Children of the Corn" issues, but we did alright!)

Wil saw how tall he was

("Mommy, I am as tall as the 3 because I am turning 3 soon!)

Bedtime picnic

"Mom, I am way too stylish for Walmart!"

Wil's first picture of a happy face!

Practicing our "First day of School" smile

Overtired and sniffly

 

Carson was not sick, but he wants to do everything Wil does so we cuddled him up too

Wil got to open one early birthday present.... Goalie Pads!

(practicing his "butterfly" to stop the puck!)

We also discovered that we like raw zucchini!

(And we made out first ever loaf of zucchini bread, very yummy and healthy!)

 

Big week this week.... PRESCHOOL!  I can't believe my baby is old enough to start school!  Check back in a few days to see how we did... I am sure Wil is going to be fine... me, maybe not!