Carter is learning the milking of birthdays that is tradition in this family. I have another post to capture his bday celebrations with his MiMi, Great Nana, Grandpa and GrandmaJo, Nana and Papa, cousins, and his big marching band bday party with his best buddies. However, here is a recap of his big day:
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| Woke up to singing Happy Birthday |
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| And walked out from a decorated door.... |
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| to a present waiting downstairs |
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| DRUMS! |
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| IHOP for breakfast with the whole family |
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| Then we dropped Isaac off at school and it was 6 hours of whatever Carter wanted to do. First trip was Starbucks in Uptown for a potty break and banana bread. Then, we hopped on the trolley... |
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| Big boy on the trolley |
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| We hopped off the trolley downtown to play at the Klyde Warren Park. |
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| And who knew on Tuesdays they have these huge blocks for building. He LOVED them and we spent over an hour building towers! |
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| And of course Mama needed a pic in front of the Christmas tree |
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| He wanted to eat lunch at the mall Chick Fil A and we met some of his best buddies there for lunch! |
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| "Even the cows celebrate Carter's bday" :) |
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| Running off that lunch in the courtyard... |
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| Initially Carter asked for no nap, but on the way home from picking up Isaac he asked if he could nap in Mommy and Daddy's bed and watch the Macy's parade. Oh, he has a little of his Mama in him. Of course, my love. |
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| And this shows Mama's cooking skills...when told Mommy would make him anything he wanted for his birthday dinner, he asked for chicken cordon bleu. Frozen from Sam's. DONE, my boy! |
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| He got in his pjs and thought he was going to bed. I asked him if he wanted to go to bed or if he wanted 1 more birthday surprise. He wanted a surprise so we hopped in the car and went to ride Mr. Joel's Christmas train TWO times. |
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| We all loved it!
Here are Carter's answers to his birthday questions this year:
How old are you? "three"
Who is your best friend? "Nana and Papa"
What is your favorite thing to do? "go to Safari Park"
What is your favorite color? "green"
What is your favorite food? "oranges"
What do you like to do with your family? "do some cards"
What is your favorite toy? "Meryl's bounce house"
What do you want to be when you grow up? "a scary guy" (sidenote: ever since Halloween he has been fascinated with masks and skeletons)
What makes you happy? "my chin cha"
What makes you sad? "I can't know"
What is your favorite show to watch? "Santa Clause went to town"
What is your favorite book? "Hungry Caterpillar"
What do you love to learn about? "Jesus"
What was the best part of your birthday? "building very tall towers"
Where do you like to go? "I don't know"
Who is your teacher? "Ms. Lynsey and Ms. Woine"
What is your favorite treat? "go to Starbucks. Pumpkin bread and banana nut bread"
What do you think about before you fall asleep? "I don't know"
If you could meet someone famous who would it be? "I don't know"
What was your favorite birthday present? "Drums"
Carter Boy, Tartar Sauce, My Darlin' Darlin'
On days like today I want time to stand still. You are growing up to be such a generous, compassionate, and sweet little boy. You are no longer a toddler and are really starting to gain your confidence and independence.You run constantly to get somewhere, but will still stop and have snuggles with me or your chin cha during the day. You also insist on having your chin cha with you in the car "in case I get sad". You love your chin cha but when you see Isaac crying or a stranger at the park crying, your first instinct is to get your chin cha and bring it to make him feel better.
You love all things music and many mornings will wake up and go to bed singing. One of your favorite things is to "play band" which means each member of the family picks an instrument (you usually pick the drums) and we sing songs and play our instruments. Earlier this year your favorite song by far was baa baa black sheep, but your go-to song now is "The Eyes of Texas". You love for others to "tell stories". You ask to tell stories about when I was a little girl, when Daddy was a little boy, and also imaginary stories about animals and monsters. We tell stories all throughout the day--always before naptime and bedtime, but also when you get overstimulated/upset, waiting in doctor's offices, on car rides....it is your constant form of entertainment. You are starting to give up your nap, but you still get rest time. This is one of my favorite times to listen to you on the monitor. You talk to your stuffed animals, make up stories, sing/play drums, read books out loud, and get so creative playing like you're a monster or a farmer or the teacher to your animals. You have learned a lot about "good" and "sad" choices and at this point are pretty much a rule follower. Your main consequence for a "sad" choice is time out in your room, and it works pretty well. You are very curious about what you can and cannot do, and are typically good about asking me and making the right choice. We did have one incident this year where a mall security guard had to catch you and bring you to me because you ran away from me, but that was a rare day :). You are extremely verbal and love to talk. This really comes out in the car as Daddy calls it your "stream of consciousness". You have a memory like no other kid I know--I even tell you my grocery list so you can tell me what we need at the grocery store! You love to go and every morning will ask "what day is it?" and "where are we going today", "where will we go after naps?", "where will we go after school"?. Your Daddy loves to come and get you in the mornings and sometimes will wake you up, just because he wants more time with you. He gets you ready, gives you your medicine, and has some special bonding time with you--you read stories, play on the iPad, play games (your favorites are Hi Ho Cherry-O, Memory, Simon Says, Hide and Seek), and wrestle. Daddy also does your hair most days because he is so much better at it than Mommy. You are most of the time very sweet to Isaac, but now that he is starting to get into your toys, will tell him to "go night night" or tell me to "can you please hold him?". You've learned that you can pretty easily distract him with another toy, so for now you can distract him and most of the time get your way....we'll see how long that lasts. You play best with Isaac in the bath, as you can make him laugh with your silly faces. He adores you and always wants to be wherever you are. You've asked me many times today "Mommy, you want me to be 2? You want me to be a baby still?". I think you think that because I've said I'm not ready for you to be 3. Of course baby, I want you to be 3. I want you to grow and hit your milestones and enjoy running at the park without me hovering. I want you to know your colors and ABCs and choose playing with sticks and dragons over sitting in my lap. Of course I do. But as a Mommy you will always be my first baby, so I treasure those moments of getting to snuggle you before bed and play with your hair as I sing you songs and tell you stories. Of getting to strap you in your carseat or feed you those last few bites of yogurt because "it's too hard to get out". I love seeing the gifts that God has given you and seeing you run with them. You are a social butterfly and don't know a stranger--and although this scares me sometimes, I love how you love everyone and want to help everyone and talk to everyone. This is going to take you far in life, my son. I pray for protection over you and your sweet innocence at this age. I pray for wisdom for Mommy and Daddy in how to guide you and create boundaries for you, and teach you about Jesus and how much you need Him. I love watching you grow and although sometimes my patience is thin, I am so thankful that I get to spend every day with you. I love you to the moon and back my Carter Bug, Mama |
