Entering the Kingdom of Threedom

The third birthday will be upon us tomorrow, followed by a party on Saturday. I see lots of cake eating in our future because there will be cupcakes at school, most likely followed by extra cupcake eating at home, and a tractor cake on Saturday. I'll try to get some veggies in there somehow. I'm hoping that turning three makes J happy, unlike last year when he woke up angry at the world for turning two.

How would I wrap up the year of two?

• with a big sigh and a nap. It's been a whirlwind of a year for all of us. Pregnant or not, it's been tiring.
  
• Faster talking, faster walking/running, faster manipulation time
• whining that often becomes conniving
• laughing that is incredibly infectious
• opinions that are strongly expressed ("Those aren't the rules, Mommy!")
  
• the use of words like "actually, in fact, finally, eventually, suddenly, after all". Sometimes I feel like this kid could have his own instructional tv show.
  
• the development of logic that is completely clear and at the same time, completely fuzzy
• the acquisition of knowledge about almost every percussion instrument
• wrapping paper tubes can be guitars, bass, banjos, and even mandolins
• singing a song is a great way to ignore your parents when they request you clean up
  
• my kid cannot be in a car without music--preferably his music
• potty training is evil with boys
• he tries to show kindness and empathy to everyone he meets. One day this will break his heart (and mine). One day this will make him extremely happy.
• testing his parents and others became an interesting part-time job
• his imagination has grown immensely. Sometimes this makes me realize how narrow minded I have become with age.
  
• he still loves to read (yes!)
• he loves to travel
• he's a boy and seems to be really good with directions in the car
  
• he recognizes Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen
• he loves when other people come to visit and hates when they leave
  
• he asks adults if they have no food in front of them if they would like some of his
• a recall of events sometime later which makes me ask, "How do you remember that?"
• milk is the only thing he will use as a dip for food. Sometimes this is appropriate and other times this is completely disgusting. Carrots and milk anyone?

A completely random list and there's plenty more. Like I said last year, we still haven't broken him and he still wakes up happy to see us in the morning. That is something for which I am incredibly grateful.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy. Keep on strumming and singing.

See ya later, two!