Ian is THREE!

Well, he's officially three years old! His birthday was yesterday, and we're having trouble believing he is that old! For some reason, 3 seems so much older than 2, and he's definitely not a baby anymore!

We opened cards first thing in the morning (we're waiting for presents until his party on Sat.), and he was very excited. His Great Aunt Barbara sent him a dollar, so we went to Wal-Mart to spend it. He chose a new train (his name is Edward), and was so proud to hand the cashier his money! Too cute! (By the way, we love Thomas and Friends at our house -- if for no ther reason than the vocabulary it builds! Where else would toddlers learn words like "splendid" and "boasted?")

Ian wanted ketchup, fries and chocolate milk for dinner, so we went to Culver's for the birthday boy. He's such a sweet boy, and is developing the cutest personality and sense of humor. Can't wait to see what the year brings!

Rudolph

Ian has been cramming for the last 2 days, and I think he's finally done it... he memorized the lyrics to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer! He begged me to sing it with him three straight times in Walgreens yesterday, and by lunch today, he was singing it on his own. We met Tavia tonight in Anderson for dinner, and even she was not spared from joining in the singing fun!

Santa and Jesus' cars

Ian's letter to Santa (that he pretended to write on the chalkboard):

"Dear Santa, I would like to have cars and trains for Christmas. Love, Ian"

An excerpt from Ian's nativity scene narration:

"And the three wisemen were so excited to see baby Jesus! They brought him cars for Christmas!"

Gumbo

Today we were excited to get Grandpa and Grandma's Christmas letter in the mail. Ian loved looking at the pictures on the back, especially the ones that helped him remember our trip to Kiddieland this summer! I said, "Look at Uncle Andy riding on the Dumbo ride. He's so funny!" To which Ian replied, "Look at my mouth, Mommy," like I say when I want him to know how to pronouce something correctly, "You mean GUMBO!"

Santa's Grand Entrance

We are beginning to build the story of Santa in Ian's little mind. This evening, we asked him how he thought Santa got into the house. The answer was obvious to him - the door - and seemed annoyed that we didn't already know that. When we told him he actually enters through the chimney, he turned to look at the fireplace, and said, "Oooohhhh..." as if it was beginning to make sense. He also thinks he will actually get to see and talk to Santa when he comes. When we told him that Santa comes when we are all asleep, he said, "No, no, no. Santa comes when I'm awake!" Christmas is going to be a lot of fun this year!

Ian's babysitter

Ian had a babysitter today so that Mommy and Daddy could go to a Christmas program at the high school. (We were trying to think about the last time we paid a babysitter, and it has been at least a year! Thanks to Aunt Nancy, Nana and Papa, we don't do this very often!) She had to put him down for a nap, and he was still asleep when we came home. When he woke up, he asked for Michelle, and said that he wanted her to come back and sleep here. I guess it went well!

Ian's beaver

Well, Ian's sick. He woke up yesterday morning and said, "Mommy, my beaver is back, can you see it?" I told him that I couldn't see it. He responded, "You can't see it because it's in my throat." He sounded so pitiful, but it was so cute. In case you couldn't figure it out, a "beaver" is actually a fever. A trip to the doctor told us that it is not strep throat, and ended with Ian inviting his doctor to his birthday party! The doctor was flattered, so if there's a guy at the party that you don't recognize, it will be Ian's favorite doc.

Ian the theologian

Right before bedtime tonight, Dan and Ian were putting together an intricate train track design. As Ian was playing with it, some pieces pulled apart. As we were getting him ready for bed, he had some tears in his eyes about the broken track, and said, "Maybe Jesus can come and fix the track tonight so that I can play with it tomorrow." Dan and I had him repeat it, just to be sure that was what he said... and we heard him right. At least he believes Jesus heals!

"Why not?"

Most almost-3-year-olds probably ask the question "Why?" a lot. Ian is definitely as curious as the rest, but instead of asking "Why?" he asks "Why not?" Here's an example from today (we went to the high school basketball game)... "Mommy, why not does that basketball player have a white shirt on?" This is actually more difficult to correct than you might imagine, but we're working on it!