My baby is 3 years old! He turned three about a week ago. I can't believe the time has gone by so fast. I'm feeling sad that I don't have a baby in the house anymore. He's officially preschool age. I am though excited for all the learning and imagination that comes into to play during these years. We had a little party for him, with just family. We didn't do big parties for any of the kids this year and I must say it was nice! No pressure and the kids didn't seem to mind at all. Josh had a monter truck themed party and got lots of great gifts. He was so excited for his little party and I believe he had a great day. The night before his birthday I gave him a haircut so he could look like a handsome big boy (that's what I told him). He sat so well for it and when I was done he checked himself out in the mirror and said "Thanks mom, we'll have to do this again sometime". That kid cracks me up. He's so full of imagination. He is always making up stories. Latley he's been making up stories about his "pretend" dad who apparently lets him do whatever he wants. When we were at the library a few weeks ago he told me, quite loudly, that his other day puts lipstick on him and makes him run around the house, I got some strange looks for that one. I felt compelled to explain that he's talking about his "pretend" dad but decided that would sound crazy too. So I just ignored the stares. His "pretend" dad lets him shoot guns, jump off houses, ride skateboards on the back of sharks and it goes on and on. I must say that I find his fictional dad's disregard for safety quite disturbing. That kid is a character.


Potty Training

I've been telling Josh that when he turns 3 it's time to goodbye to diapers and hello to underwear. He's had sporadic interest in potty training over the last year but nothing to get excited about (at least from my point of view). So he turned three and on that day he knew it was no more diapers. He did really good that day with only a couple of accidents and I was feeling very hopeful, but than he got sick with a nasty cold. He was just so tired and couldn't make it to the potty so I had to relent and stick him back in a diaper until he was feeling better. Now he's better but not as excited about potty training. So I bought a giat bag of skittles (his favorite candy) and told him every time he peed in the potty he could have one and that worked for a couple of days but the effect is starting to wear off. I think I'm going to have to become inventive with this one and change the reward every few days so he stays excited about it. I'm determined to get this kid potty trained.

Basketball

Isaac had a game tonight. Michael took him and I stayed home with the little kids so that I could get them in the bath and to bed early. When the boys got home Isaac was all exited because he had scored a basket from across the court and I missed it!! His team won the game and Isaac is on cloud nine basking in his victory :)

Mad Mad

Madleyn is the little girl I never was. She wants to cook, sew, clean, things that I myself can't remeber ever being interested in. For Christmas she got her first sewing kit and it came with felt animal patterns so that she could make her own little stuffed toys. So on Sunday I taught her how to sew or more honestly I learned right along with her. She sews just about as good as I do. She made a littel stuffed puppy and did a great job. She was so proud of herself. I think we are both going to learn how to knit together. She also loves to help in the kitchen, all my kids like to help in the kitchen, but Madelyn will beg. I'm usually able to find her something to do. And cleaning that girl loves houswork, with the exception of cleaning her own room. She wants to clean everything except the mess she made. I let her help my dust (that's her favorite), sorting laundry and washing the kitchen table. She's such a sweet heart.