Nate is 3 [and a half]

Sam [my little sister] and I both have June birthdays less than 2 weeks apart.  Which means our half-birthdays are in very close in December.  We always made sure that everyone knew it was our half-birthday and we celebrated together.

So last Sunday, I made sure Nate knew it was his half-birthday.  We made blueberry muffins to celebrate the occasion.  Well, okay – Wes made them.  The half-birthday seemed to confuse the little lad because he now thinks he’s 4-and-a-half.  He just wants to be five like his big cousin Abbie.

NATE @ 3.5 years old:

. He is a bit of an extremist - he rarely does things in the middle.  He’s either really happy or really not.  He’s either a joy to be around making everyone laugh or he’s mean and naughty.  He loves things or hates things.  He’s very obedient or doesn’t listen to a word you have to say.  Which can be great when you get the extremely happy/nice/obedient Nate!

. He has a passion for life.  He loves to explore and learn. 

. He is a _______ big brother.  The word that fills in that blank changes constantly.  He absolutely loves Ryan and a lot of times will do just about anything to make Ryan happy.  But he’s also a typical big brother who gets frustrated with Ryan.  Especially now that Ryan likes to hit and bulldoze Nate!  It’s been interesting to watch Nate because the minute anyone else is involved other than our little family – he goes right in to “big-brother-protector” mode and won’t let anyone harm his little brother.

. He loves his friends & family.  I hear many times a day, “i love my whole fam-ily”. 

. He’s a lot like Wes when Wes was little.  Apparently Wes was Mr. Social, wanting to talk to everyone everywhere they went.  Nate is always asking about people we see as we’re out and about – he wants to know their names and what they’re up to.  But then when Nate’s non-social side kicks in he wants nothing to do with anyone!

. He says some of the funniest stuff.  It’s hilarious.  I love this stage. 

. We always call Ryan our tank.  The other day, Nate says . . “If Ryan is a tank, what am I?”  We sat for a minute and Nate says, “I think I’m more like a carrot.”  VERY true, my friend.  Nate is our string bean.

. He’s a great eater.  He will try just about anything once and 99% of the time he likes it.  At least one meal a day he says, “this is the best dinner ever!”

. He usually sleeps from 6:30/7:00pm to 6:30/7:00am.  We’ve survived six months without Nate sleeping for even a minute during the day!

. He loves to create.  We are constantly painting pictures and making things.  He almost always has a pen and notepad in his hand walking around the house.  He writes notes, makes lists, or draws pictures constantly. 

. He’s developing such a great imagination.  I love watching him create things out of just about anything.  Kids’ minds are just amazing.

. His favorites?  Moses the dog, his blanky, George, Batman, puppy, Piggy Iggy, monster pillow, all books but especially the Bernstein Bears, candy & treats, apple juice, Handy Manny [& just about anything on the Disney Channel or PBS Kids], being outside, the bathtub, fishing, digging in the dirt, bikes, scooters, all sports, & his friends & family.

. I love that he will tell me that he snuck a piece of candy or did something he shouldn’t have. 

. We’re currently struggling with his behavior.  I think a lot of it is pretty normal for a 3-year old boy & we’re working on it but it’s been a hard stage.  It seems like he’s constantly testing boundaries & has started being disrespectful so we’re working on it with our fingers crossed.

. Naters, you may be one crazy little boy but we sure do love you and are so happy you’re ours!

When I asked Nate a few questions – here’s how he responded: 

favorite color?  blue, orange & green.    favorite book?  Book of Mormon.     favorite song?  I am a Child of God.      favorite place to go: Children's Museum.    favorite food?  icecream, donuts & marshmallows. [he’s my kid, for sure].   favorite movie?  Move it. Move it. [Madagascar 2]. 

After 10 minutes of taking pictures, he was done smiling.