L.J. at (Almost) 3 1/2

Preschool is the bridge between toddlerhood and big kid and we are right in the middle of that bridge. Landon is almost 3 ½ – which truly seems impossible – and embodies just about all of the three year old stereotypes! Which I guess means they aren’t really stereotypes, because his behavior seems pretty typical for three most days.

• It’s proudly stating “I did it!!” and big crocodile tears when “I want to” turns into “I can’t do it just yet.”
• It’s loving your family fiercely but testing them just to be certain they are your safe harbor.
• It’s trying on new personas, copying behavior good or bad and wanting to steer the ship.
• It’s sweet cuddles, heartfelt kisses for baby sisters and genuine care and concern for others.
• It’s mad…really, really mad…when things don’t go your way. Stomps and pouts and shouts!
• It’s insatiable curiosity peppered with dozens of “Whys?” per day and an imagination as big as the blue sky.
• It’s understanding your world through play, using cars, trucks, people and animals to re-create narratives and situations.
• It’s loud and boisterous and running in noisy circles until some of your never-ending energy has been expended.
• It’s pushing boundaries for the sake of pushing them.
• It’s defiance and manipulation to see just what exactly you might be able to get away with. It’s a meltdown when you find out the answer is “Not much.”
• It’s needing your Baba whenever you are sleepy, upset or just not sure about things…but then boldly casting him aside and declaring that you don’t need him. (Baba is not offended; he knows you’ll soon return.)
• It’s wanting to be a helper guy and thinking chores are fun. It’s taking pride in wiping down the table and helping with the trash.
• It’s wanting to be a big kid, which means markers instead of crayons and “no lid!” on your cup.
• It’s surviving on yogurt and air and having zero time to waste on dinner, which you think should be entirely optional.
• It’s busy as a bee from sunrise to sunset, always a chorus of “Let’s play…!” or “Let’s go…!”
• It’s astounding your parents with your grasp of technology as you deftly navigate between apps to watch your favorite shows.
• It’s Paw Patrol, Peppa, Max & Ruby and, always, your beloved Bubble Guppies.
• It’s firetrucks and helicopters and all manner of rescue vehicles. It’s Fireman Sam on a continuous loop. It’s having half-memorized your favorite fire truck book.
• It’s a never-ending surprise at what comes out of your mouth. Three is wise and hilarious and observant in a single breath. Three is the best conversations.

Three is so very many things! Three is great big highs and great big lows. Every day is a new adventure.

We love you, sweet boy!

(Yes, even during your ‘threenager’ moments. We just might have a little more gray to show for it.)