In almost three and a half years I have never missed a monthly post on your blog. I have been late more frequently than not in recent months, but never missed all together, until last month. It makes me sad to be behind on something that I love to do for you--but it is an indication of what the last few months have been like for us. We have had a lot of fun in our free time--as a family and also doing different things with friends. But Mommy has been very busy at work with a new pastor and Daddy's hours have often been early and long. All this to say, what spare time we have had in recent weeks, we've spent it together and downtime has been mostly spent sleeping!
We enjoyed Labor Day celebrations with the Miller family, they are so kind to open their home to us. It was a treat to watch you swim in your floatie and figure out that you could actually do it on your own! You so loved playing with Maya and Dalton.
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| Three Musketeers! |
You began your three year old class at Covenant Presbyterian Preschool with Mrs. Fiona. I am so pleased that you enjoy this class so much and seeing your friends every day--especially Emmi, I am told you all treat each other more like siblings than friends, which means perhaps you invade each other's space and rough house a bit too much. You are loving special activities--music with Ms. Candace, Soccer Shots and Bricks 4 Kidz after school. You come home singing songs, telling me about Pumpkin science experiments and adding to your growing "cowekshun" (collection) of acorns. Last week all of the students came and sang for a Senior Tea at church. It was awesome to watch you interact with your peers and enjoy the music. You also love to come and play in my office after school (I don't know what the draw is there except that you get candy from Kim & Gail.) :)
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| First Day of School with his Animals |
You've gotten to go on some adventures with your grandparents this fall. You visited the cabin with Grams and also their new house in New Market while Daddy and I had a weekend with the Hollins fam. It was a really wonderful weekend for us to be with people we love so much and we hope to do it again soon, maybe with all the kiddos next time so you all can play. You also got to spend the night and and a day or two with Beba and Papa Tate for Daddy and I to have some down time. I don't know how you do it, you always return from these adventures with more stuff than you left with....but who am I kidding, we are all suckers for your smile and love to shower you with goodies.
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| Fair with Grams and Papa |
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| QT with Becca at Papa and Beba's |
I went to see Hanson with Auntie Whitney and Aunt JP. I had a meet and greet and it was wonderful. I told Zac how you enjoyed singing along with them and that he was your favorite. He said you could call him, "Funcle" for "Fun Uncle" and we had a good laugh. Despite my best efforts I did not win you any drumsticks, nor did I buy you any merch. It was sad to walk in the door the next day and you say, "Mommy, did you get my drumsticks?".... but the plus side is the new Christmas album comes out this week and we can sing all new songs for the holidays!
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| Pure joy riding the train with Daddy & Mommy |
You helped with clean up day at the office a few weeks ago when you didn't have school. I thought it would be a disaster and we wouldn't be able to stay and help with cleaning out cabinets, shelves, and closets, but you were really good. You got to shred paper, play with rubber bands, and follow Mr. Mark all over the church. I'm really thankful to have great people to work with who are patient with you. You've also done great going into Sunday school with the other boys your age and going to the Children's Worship time some. The day is coming when you will have to come sit in worship and I wonder how all that will work.
Last week we went to see Daniel Tiger Live! Grams bought us wonderful tickets to attend as a family. You had a blast at the show, by the second act you were out dancing in the middle aisle with all the little girls. You were third row and in the center so you had a wonderful view. After the show we took pictures with Daniel and his mom, even though you were admittedly a little scared of their costumes.
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| It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood |
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| Climber like Daddy |
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| Artist like Beba |
You are more talkative and imaginative every day. We had a long conversation last week about the difference between being naughty and nice (Santa is coming). You are beginning to try more things yourself as far as getting dressed and learning how to put your things away in class every day. You are wearing big boy undies 95% of the time. You are doing really well with potty training--except for the #2 part...we gotta get that down. Otherwise, marking a chart for you and making a goal for the end of the month with a much desired toy seems to be working alongside the crowd mentality experience at school.
Favorite Show: Still overwhelmingly Paw Patrol (please note constant attire: underwear, socks, backpack, t-shirt, pjs, rainboots).
Favorite Book: Opposites--a Richard Scary book we found cleaning out the church offices.
Favorite Toy: Daddy's special Marty McFly Lego--"Marty-Can-Fly" and the Zuma Truck for your first month of potty success which you said was "the prettiest pup ever."
Favorite Color: Pink and Yellow
Favorite Food and Drink: Still holding strong with Mac & Cheese and Apple Juice
Favorite Song:You love them all but I think "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" has been heard a lot lately as well as " Shake It Off" oh and we listened to Hanson's "I Don't Want To Go Home" on repeat every morning for like a week because you like "fast music mama".
Looking forward to the upcoming holidays with you Bear. You're a stinker! We love you.
Love,
Mama
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| Duck Pond--clearly this Curious George shirt is a favorite!! |
