Huston - July 2013

My cuddler

Huston, this is the last month you will be three years old.  We are gearing up for the big birthday party next month....but you are still torn between several themes.  It will be TMNT, Cars, Imagination Movers or Angry Birds.  I think I'm just going to have to take you to Party City and see what you grab and work from there.

 

You are still my little cuddler and I hope that never changes.  If you've had a long day or are stressed out, you will say "I need cuddles."  And if we happen to be so busy that you aren't getting enough time you will start saying "I need attention!  Attention over here!"

 

We made a visit to the marine center and you became fascinated with starfish.  After a few attempts you finally even held one.

 

You are officially a movie goer.  This month we have seen both Monsters University and Turbo.  You memorize the lines from the trailers and then when you hear them in the movie it gets you so excited!

 

This month we went to California for two weeks for a nice vacation and for Grandpa Dave's 80th birthday.  You loved every minute of it and did not want to come home.  We stayed at Nama and Grandpas and you loved playing in the pool, helping in the garden and watering flowers. 

Eating carrots straight from the garden
 

We were there over the 4th of July and you were so excited to play with the "big kids", Auntie Katie and her friends, and your cousins Abe and Zeke.  You introduced them to everyone and kept calling them cousin.  They are a little older and very very cool.

With cousins Abe and Zeke

 

Swimming with big kids

We went to a parade with Gramma and Poppop and you got to see a hot air balloon and meet Handy Manny.

 

Fireworks were a huge hit this year.  You loved the display and couldn't get enough sparklers.  You were up at 6am for the hot air balloons and played hard all day until you passed out about 11pm.

We also had a beach day at Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Capitola.  Uncle Paul and Nama went with us and you "were a big fan of the ocean".  That's one of your cute new phrases.

Boardwalk rides

Sand Castles

Ocean with Uncle Paul

Your ability to have real conversations now still amazes me.  You will tell us stories in detail about things that happened years ago.  You are starting to use big words like "temperature" and have tons of funny phrases.

"Ohhhh That's gotta hurt!"
"Bookstory" (Bedtime Story)
"Get Dead" (Died)
"I have earrings, I can't quit crying."  (Earrings = tears)
"I want to stay here for a couple little while"

I also heard something half cute/half worrisome.  Your first fib to get a laugh.  Remember those cool cousins Abe & Zeke?  Well, I guess you really wanted to be a part of their conversation and you told this  story "My babysitter took me to the pool and when she wouldn't get in I said, What's the matter are you a baby?  heheheh"  Ya....that never happened.  No babysitter.  No pool.  I realize this happens but it was so strange to watch.

You also are feeling the cliques at the playground.  At the park the other day you were running around with some boys that you didn't know and when I said it was time to go you got upset and said, "No I want to stay with my friends!".  One of the little boys said, "We aren't your friends....".  I think it hurt me way more than it hurt you, you didn't even acknowledge it.  But my heart just ached that you will have to go through that kind of stuff.  And probably soon.

You are also already experiencing losing friends....two of your good buddies are moving away this month. Marley is moving to Alaska and Ryver to Colorado. You and Marley hit it off day one and you think Ryver is so cool but we don't see him as much.

Fearless Five - Huston, Marley, David, Michael and Daisy

You do have a new best friend.  His name is Nolan.  You two are having so much fun together.  Now that he can crawl, he follows you everywhere and you guys just giggle and giggle. He's even learning how to play a version of hide and seek with you and you thinks it's hysterical.  If you are gone for too long I have to hunt you down because you are usually up to no good.  We are going to have our hands full for sure!

Room invasion

Result of disappearance, soap in hair for "crazy hair"

Your Dad and I think you are going to really be into music.  You can keep a beat and drum on everything.  You also already have music preferences and can remember the words to songs.  We regularly get music requests from you.  I've noticed you really like the 80's right now. 

We had a family day in Seattle last weekend and went to a pirate store, Pikes Place Market and the Crab Pot.  You love the ferry.

Ferris Wheel

Ferry ride

Pushing brother

Viking hat

A couple weird quirks....you are obsessed with veins and moles and ask about them often.  You turn your pillow over randomly "because it's itchy", you like to hide things and then ask "Have you seen my....." and my favorite, you will stop on a dime because you need cuddles or your back scratched and you do not want to do anything until you get those.

One little (because I don't want to embarrass you) but you are finally in big boy undies!  And you are super cute in them.

Love you buddy....more than you will ever know.