JR,
I’ve always told people that kids can just TELL when you’re about to send them up the river because right at that moment, their behavior changes and you remember why you intentionally entered into the parent-child relationship to begin with.
As I mention in last month’s later, we were experiencing some challenges with you. Well, right after I hit publish, we entered an almost month-long phase of things being pretty easy. Save the epic temper tantrum you threw today, that’s basically how things are right now.
Don’t get me wrong, you still have your moments, but overall you’re just a really enjoyable kid.
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Daddy went on a couple trips this month, which was interesting. The first trip was just for two nights, but the second trip was for FIVE. It was very hard to take care of you by myself for that long, but we eventually found a rhythm. I think his next trip will be much easier on us. And looking back, it was nice to have you to myself for a while — although I was VERY happy when your Daddy got home.
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We’ve just hit a great milestone as far as potty training goes. I won’t get into specifics, but I think soon I’ll be able to reallocate the funds that we used to spend on diapers.
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Your verbal development continues to amaze me. Very rarely do I not understand what you’re saying, and we have the longest conversations. You also continue to parrot a lot of what we say, which can be quite humbling at times.
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Imaginative play is your favorite way to spend time (other than playing “baseball” with your Daddy). You love to play restaurant and store, and LOVE when you get to be the cashier/serve because it means you get to use a PEN! or type on the COMPUTER! However, your customer service skills leave a little to be desired. Remember, it’s “What can I get for you?” not “What do you want?” and “Your total is XYZ” not “Ok, gimme some money.” We’re working on it.
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Last week we had a conference with your teachers because we’re getting ready to move you up to the preschool class. They had nothing but lovely things to say about you, particularly about how sweet you are with the other kids. Apparently you’ve been showing good leadership skills, organizing games of Ring Around the Rosie and corralling all of your friends when it’s time to go inside. I was worried they were saying that you were bossy, but they assured me that you’re always very kind about it. They also mentioned that you have zero interest in getting involved in physical confrontations with other kids (no hitting, biting, etc.); you just walk away. That’s a great thing for parents to hear. They are SO SAD for you to move up to the next class, and we are equally sad to say goodbye to them. They’ve done such a fantastic job caring for you over the last year.
***
One of your big events this month was going to the pumpkin patch. You and I went with your friend Jack and ran into your other friends, Sam, Ailey, and Myles while we were there. Up until this year we had always gotten our Halloween pumpkins at the grocery store, but I figured that since you’re getting older, it was time for the real deal. You had a fantastic time and even took a couple runs through the hay bale maze they had set up at the pumpkin farm. We had a really fun day and I can’t wait to do it again.
Obviously our visit to the pumpkin patch means we’re getting ready for Halloween, and you are extremely excited. You asked to be a “red fishy” this year, and I actually managed to make your costume (I’ll post pictures after the big day). We’ve been talking a lot about the order of how things go with Halloween: first you pick the pumpkin, then you carve the pumpkin, then you eat the seeds, then you put on your costume, then you go trick-or-treating, THEN you eat candy. You’d like to eat the seeds and candy now, but you’re doing a very good job at being patient.
And let’s be honest, you’re doing a very good job at being everything an almost three-year-old (!!!) should be: chatty, infuriating, loving, emotional, hilarious, and so sweet.
Way to go, kid.
Love,
Mama
