Golden age

At 3.33 years old, I am at the "golden age" where I am slightly independent and can communicate, while still finding my parents to be the most wonderful people in the world. Here are the latest developments in my life...

I tell stories! I describe to my parents all about what happened "yesterday" (my universal term for things happening in the past).

I wave goodbye and give high fives to people, even strangers! OK, I am still too shy to say a word, but this is a start...

I spontaneously kiss Mommy and Sebastian! Sometimes I kiss Mommy's behind because that's what is at my face level. Daddy is feeling shafted because I haven't kissed him unprompted yet.

I follow directions from others! Strangers used to completely freak me out and I used to be rigid whenever anyone talked to me. But now I will perform to instructions from others!

I have a competitive streak! These days you can get me to do almost anything by saying that someone else is going to win. I get really upset when the battle is over something that I absolutely don't want to do, like eat cucumbers. When it comes to competing against Sebastian in a food challenge, my response is "can we both win?"

I like copying other kids, even if it means I regress and speak baby talk, calling Daddy "Dada", and milk "milky". (the helmet I'm wearing in this picture is the exact same one Kenzo owns) I also copy the movements my teacher makes during music class.

Everyone has commented about how relatively well behaved I am these days. I was a pretty cranky baby and toddler! I remember the days when I used to get a timeout (sometimes multiple ones!) practically daily. I guess after all those timeouts, I don't need to test any more; my parents really do mean what they say! That, or I've just matured. I still have my moments where I want what I want but those moments are becoming fewer and farther between.

I have learned how to negotiate and "earn marbles" to gain privileges for things I want. I get pretty excited to clean up when I have TV at the end of the stick.

Oh, and forget about childproofing. I have figured out many of the childproof locks at our home and have proven tall enough to climb over the safety gates. I can now climb up the stairs step over step too! My parents are cringing in horror...

All this is what ultimately makes me a big kid!