where they are now

I've been a terrible documenter of all things specific about these little personalities we are raising.  So an update on the three littles...

R is 6, and independent.  

He doesn't like "babies" in his room, and blows the biggest fit if I forget to clean up after them in his room before he gets home from school.  He knows exactly how he puts things, so when a sticker sheet that he had in the corner of his room went missing yesterday...it was a bit of drama around here "Kip you thief, you stole my stickers and I want them back!" But really, when he isn't worrying about stickers, K and R really get along and play great together.  Their current favorite things to do together include wrestling, squirt guns, angry birds,

and running.  They never.stop.running.

He is also such a sweetheart to J.  I get all soggy eyed sometimes watching him be all brotherly to her.  He does a great job including everyone in the chaos, but also knows when he needs some "alone time" where he retreats to some "baby free" time in his room.

My favorite R saying is "I love you higher than heaven and all the way back," and much to my surprise, given that we don't use specific southern manners round this home he has picked up on saying "ma'am and sir."

He started chewing on his long sleeve shirts a few months ago, a nervous habit of sorts.  We harped on him to stop, and instead has replaced his shirt with his pinky and pointer fingers.  Now his knuckles are in a constant state of breakdown.  I hate that for him.  Hopefully he kicks this habit soon!  Moral of the story, shirts are replaceable, fingers get sore...I wish I would have just let him chew on those darn shirts!

***** 

K turns 4 in August, which means just 4 more months of terrible 3s.  He really isn't terrible, it is just being three that does something to a kid.  A switch of some sort, in their brain, that forces them to want to do everything by themselves, but they don't have the skills or patience to do so, which leads to wildness.  

For K, wildness = fussing/screaming for 30 or more minutes about what seems so silly to me, but is make or break, end of the world, kind of deal for him.

For instance, putting on his shoes.  He insists he does it, but then when he can't quite weasel his toes in the way he likes, or his sock gets all squished funny...he loses it.  We have made it now, to the point that tantrums don't last as long, and he is asking for help once he settles down.  Good progress.  

It is tough business, being three.  Thankfully it only lasts a year :).

His fine motor skills are starting to improve, he holds scissors now a little less like a foreign object, and he has declared right handedness when coloring.  A hint of a perfectionism shines in his little eyes as he says "don't tell me yet" when coloring - I like to tell him "great job" or "that looks so nice."  He focuses so hard on coloring in the lines, that I purposely color right next to him sloppily, so he knows life isn't just about being perfect.  

His favorite thing is "lets frow Georgie" which includes playing catch with his stuffed animal Curious George.  Of course K throws him at me and says "oh no, Georgie has monkey poop coming out."  Potty talk makes everything so much more fun when you are 3.  If I was a good mannered mama I'd tell him "enough potty talk" but I so much love listening to his belly giggle I don't stop him.

He says "THAT'D BE GREAT!" and "SURE" and "THANKS" when he is in favor of an idea.  And his he gets wide eyes and smiley.  I love seeing the way he enthusiastically lives life, getting so excited about playdoh, riding four wheelers, outdoor adventure walks, and popsicle dates.

He is learning manners -yesterday we went to the playplace at McDs because it was thundering and this mama needed to get out of the house.  K held open the door for me and J, and then continued to do so for another mama behind me.  I was proud.

*****

J is 2.  A perfect mix of tomboy and girly-girl.  

She hates "bungle bees" but I adore the way she says it, so find ways to make her say it.  She's transitioned into calling her brother "Kipin" (unable to get that "L" sound in) now instead of "piplin" which makes me sad.  She calls R, "Ryka" and I'll be equally as sad when it is pronounced correctly too. 

This humidity is perfect for her curly-q hair, the ponytails that result make me melt.  So much cuteness. 

She loves crafts - painting, coloring, stickers...girlfriend can't get enough.  So far she is a lefty, it will be interesting to see if she stays that way. 

The big issue is keeping a pony tail in her hair, girlfriend likes to pull anything out of her hair, which is why she walks around looking like a wild child most of the time.  And if you wonder where the hair the goes once she pulls out her pony tail, just look at her "fancy rings."

We are on-again-off again potty training.  Meaning that when mama is home she is using the potty, but the weekends (ahem, daddy time because I am working) she is back in diapers.  She does great for me.  The way she says diaper cracks me up "dipee."

She sings a song that goes "Jovie's mama fave-it gril" and it is adorable.  

Spring time is proving to be a favorite for J.  The moment she wakes up "lets go outside and play bubbles, and swing"

 She is all daring, wanting to be pushed to the swings limits, K is more reserved and makes a you.scared.me.to.death squeal when you push him too high.

And finally, after 2 years, and 2 months...J's name is spelt correctly on her birth certificate.  What a headache getting that resolved!  I am happy to report her name now has an E at the end of it, and it only cost us $60 to get that fixed.  Most expensive letter of the alphabet, probably.  Jovie, she is!