Gus 3.5

Our happy, giggly, and talkative boy is 3 1/2 now and going through a serious growth spurt!  He asks (usually very politely) for seconds, and even thirds, these days.  His imagination is in full gear now, and I enjoy hearing the intricate details of whatever he is pretending to be or do.  He is constantly running to find me and tell me something he has noticed or desperately needs me to be aware of. 

Here he is showing off a new game we invented that involves a cup flying across the dining room table.  The opposing team tries to catch it before it falls off the table....but either way, much laughing is involved!

Here, he is an Indian in his makeshift teepee, complete with kitchen and probably, if I know him, a garage:)

We got a surprise this winter when we let Gus' hair grow out a bit longer.  It's curly all over the top! Guess we should have seen that coming:)  We've also had fun watching Gus' confidence in his physical abilities grow through the gymnastics classes he has been taking.  He spends much more time climbing onto and jumping off of things these days!

He is working on getting himself dressed, not sucking his thumb (a couple bandaids a day for each thumb are doing the trick right now!) and sharing his precious cars and trucks.  Today at playgroup, he desperately wanted a turn with another boy's car, but his pleas were repeatedly rebuffed.  Eventually, with some coaching, he shared his own car first and before I knew it the two boys were playing together like fast friends! Way to go, Gus!

His favorite activities these days include building train yards and parking lots, being tickled by his dad, running and spinning in circles, and helping out with Kip (you read that right!).

One last funny story (there are many, but this is freshest in my mind).  Yesterday during church we recited the Lord's Prayer.  Gus has been learning this in Sunday School, so he immediately chimed in (at full volume), "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be my name...."  We decided to ask him to whisper the rest:)

Splish Splash

Kip has been keeping herself very busy while I pack!

Ready To Go

We're leaving soon on a road trip to Texas to visit some of Scott's aunts and uncles and grandparents.  Gus has been really involved in helping me get ready: planning what to bring, shopping for snacks, packing up the suitcases (and playing in them!).  He's incredibly excited and keeps asking if it's time to go yet.  Finally, I guess he decided he'd had enough waiting.  He packed up Kip (in the backseat) and "drove" to Texas himself:)

Fresh Air

We've had a few days of warmer weather this past week, so we headed outside for some play time. 

 It was a bit windy, but the kids had a blast in the sandbox and running around in the yard.

We also went for a visit to the Chattanooga Zoo one afternoon.  Even though it's definitely not world class, our tiny zoo has some great perks.  We were THE ONLY PEOPLE there. The kids can get SO close to the animals.  And I don't feel like it's a waste of time to go when we only have an hour or so before dinner because we can see everything!

Kip spent most of the time saying, "Meow!" or "Moo!": the two animals sounds she has definitely mastered.

 "Hey, you, look at ME!"

 

 On the way home, I captured this moment.  Warms a Mama's heart!

Cut and Paste

Today, Gus and I worked on using scissors and a glue stick.  He had a blast and I was amazed that he could find vehicle pictures in my old parenting magazines:)  The results are now gracing our refrigerator.

  

Haircut

And so, we begin again...

Scott does not make New Years resolutions, but I just can't seem to stop.  There's something about a new year that makes me want to re-evaluate, get organized and get started on something new.  Living in the south makes it even easier since I can go outside in January and see things starting to sprout up and begin again, too.

2010 ended, unfortunately, with much sickness at our house, but here are a few Christmas photos before I move on to 2011 for good!

Gus is fascinated with dressing up in clothes that are way too small. This was supposed to be Kip's Christmas outfit....

Christmas cookies!!

 

 What a big helper!

Christmas morning

Carol Ann and Elizabeth Anne came to visit.  Gus loved being read stories by his cousin and Kip couldn't get enough of being walked around!

And, last but not least, we finally got our white Christmas.

Now, on to my new project for 2011: A backyard patio/eating area that I can build myself on a super small budget. I've already started ripping out the weeds.  That's free....

Little Dictator

Remind you of anyone infamous?  (I just couldn't resist!)

Seriously, though, Kip is VERY opinionated these days and not afraid to let you know it.  Her favorite thing to do is shake her head NO in answer to every question you ask.  We read somewhere the other day that 14 month olds will be hanging on you one minute and then want nothing to do with you the next.  That pretty much fits our baby exactly these days.  She goes from little open-mouthed kisses and leg squeezing hugs to flailing limbs and temper tandrums in seconds sometimes:)  And she's proving to Gus that she can fight over toys just as much as he can.  Just wait til she decides to walk on her own, buddy.

Mary Anne

Gus is going through this funny phase where he pretends to be a different vehicle everyday and must dress accordingly.  We have been reading a lot of Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel.  Gus was Mary Anne (the steam shovel) for about a week.  He insisted on only wearing red, day and night.  Now he's on to something else (a train, I believe) so I finally got to wash his red sweatpants:) 3 year olds are fun...and quirky!

Writing Letters

Today we mastered A and started C.  He is so excited and proud of himself.  College scholarship offers are already pouring in:)