Winston, 3 1/2 yrs.

Winston is officially three and a half years old.  Lots of things to remember about this boy.

• The difference between a three year old and a three and a half year old is HUGE
• Likes to be asked what his favorite part of the day was every night when he goes to bed
• Suddenly dislikes the color blue
• Likes to use "loud" plates and "loud" cups (read:  glass plates and cups)
• Loves his cousins and misses them dearly.  Of course, there's lots of talk about, "Well, James does this," or "Will does this," or "I want to go with Kate and Rachel," and "Can I go to MaMom's and see Nonnie?"
• "What are you talking about?!"
• First real falll off his bike and scraped his knee. (6.2.12)
• First roller coaster: dragon coaster at St. Monica carnival (6.1.12)
• Still always has to say the prayer.
•  was making my bed and Winston was wearing my boots and pretending to be Woody. I asked, "Hey Woody, would you come help me make my bed?" He walked out of the closet and said, "Woodys don't make beds. Cowboys don't make beds." (7.6.12)
• "What do you want to be when you grow up?" W: Putting his finger to his nose and really thinking about it says, "Um...big. With all of my family." (7.5.12)
• "Can the angel come and take my tooth and leave me a surprise like a toothbrush?" (8.15.12)
• We were kneeling down for prayer tonight and W volunteered to say it. He started, "God is g..." like his prayer at school. Knowing something didn't sound right, he looked up somewhat confused and clearly blank and sincerely says, "Um, I don't know how to start it." (9.21.12)
• "I love you to the airplanes and back."
• "Oopsie-doozie"
• Lizzie was having a hard time going to be and had been upset for some time. On his own, W went into L's room and sang "I am a Child of God" to her. Minutes later she was quiet and went to sleep. (10.17.12)

• W: "Can I have a dollar?"  Sheshe: "Why do you need a dollar?"  W: "So I can go on a mission! I don't have enough yet."  Sheshe: "Where do you want to go on a mission?"  W: "Ummm, maybe to MaMom and Poppy's house."  (10.25.12)
• I had a really hard day and I was crying. W wasn't sure what was going on, but he said, "But mom, we love you!" Later that day he told me I was a beautiful princess (I was dressed like a witch). Sweet boy!  (10.26.12)

Lizzie

This girl kills me.  

{peek-a-boo!}

{chocolate cake beard}

{first time in the mud. loved it.  then hated it.}

{body slam!}

{popcorn magic}

Halloween 2012

I suppose it's better late than never to catch up on life on the blog.  

W knew he wanted to be Capt. America for Halloween the moment he saw his cousin James' Capt. A costume.  Never mind that W knows nothing about this world-saving super hero.  There was no convincing him otherwise.  W was to be the best Capt. America out there (he and every other pre-school boy).

And L was quite possibly the cutest little bee I've ever seen.

We trick-or-treated in our friends' neighborhood.  This neighborhood knows how to do Halloween right.  Hundreds of kids.  Houses decked out.  Families in the yard.  Treats for adults and kids.  It was so much fun.  

W rides a bike

Winston learned to ride a bike!  It is so fulfilling to see him feel so proud -- even surprised -- at learning to ride a bike.  He's super fast.  He falls down on purpose and is sure to convince us that, "I'm OK."  He still needs a little help getting started, but he's got the rest of it down.  Even brakes!  Good job, W!

Bowling with MaMom and Poppy

Well before my parents' visit in October, W requested to go bowling with MaMom.  He was serious about it.  He wanted to go bowling.  His request was granted.  

The whole experience fell just short of a total disaster.  I have one idea why (see above picture).  Bowling is not suited for young toddlers.  Lizzie ran down one of the lanes.  She stuck her head in the ball return more than once.  She ran around non-stop.  I suppose I shouldn't have expected otherwise.  Nevertheless, she did roll the ball down the ramp a few times, followed by a few gymnastics demonstrations on the bars.  

When we weren't chasing after her, we were getting after W for bowling his ball down the wrong lane. Oops.  

Winston's first camp out

Winston and Dave went on their first father-son campout in September.  Winston wasn't sure what to expect, but he was thrilled to go somewhere -- overnight! -- with just Daddy.  Dave wasn't too sure what to expect either, but the night went rather smoothly.  

W got in the tent, set out his very own sleeping bag, climbed in and said, "Ohhh, this is cozy!"  

Bear Lake cousin time

I don't think I'm the only one who would say one of the highlights of the reinstated Waterfall family trip to Bear Lake was having all of the little cousins spend every waking hour together.  These kids haven't all been together in way too long, yet they pick up right where they left off, as if they were together the week before.  

Cousin soup

Pinata, oh yes we did.  

Sleepover and a movie (which they handled surprisingly well).