Sawyer is THREE!

*I'm having a hard time keeping up with this ol' blog. Updates are better late than never though, so I'll keep plugging away.

Holy Smokes! My baby is 3! This boy keeps me on my toes. all. the. time. 

40" tall

38 lbs.

96.6F temp

98% oxygen

Building a tower while breakfast bakes.

Learning the art of monkey bars.

Sawyer LOVES to read (mostly be read to). We enjoy lots of quality time snuggling up to read together...meanwhile Jack is usually climbing all over us.

He amazes me everyday with his knowledge. He picks up so much and is always making connections. One that I can think of off the top of my head is that he noticed the parchment paper waving on the cookie sheet on the counter. He looked up at the fan and observed a minute and then explained to me that the fan was moving the parchment paper. His mind is always thinking!

He continually reminds me that he's a big boy and can do it. "It" can mean any and all of the following: Unload contents of the fridge for mealtime. Pack papa's lunch. Get Jack up from his nap. Go get the mail by himself (not supposed to since mailbox is right by street). Drive rocket ship (our van). Sit in the front seat without a carseat. Big boys can do ANYTHING! I do remind him that big boys listen to mom and papa.

He's been on somewhat of a naughty streak lately and is trying to get Jack to do naughty stuff as well. For example Jack still likes to nibble on play dough so I'm always reminding him it's yucky and not to eat it. Well George overheard him whispering to Jack, "Eat it!". Jack still loves to throw food and Sawyer likes to encourage this behavior. If they are laughing hysterically together it usually means they are doing something naughty. The latest was drawing all over the curtains and wall. At least they're having fun and laughing together right?? Ugh.

The other night was a particularly bad night and I was frustrated and fed up with the boys for not listening. Sawyer was being particularly stubborn (where does he get that from?!) and something switched for him and he came out from time out and gave me a big hug and a kiss and said, "I love you so much Mommy."  That changed our entire evening around and he taught me a good lesson.

He loves to have fun and is a big tease. He's very brave and courageous. I can't think of anything that he's scared of. He got on the horse and went for a ride no questions asked.

Since pictures are more fun than words, enjoy a few that we've taken during Oct/Nov 2013.

Following the gopher tortoise. 

Building shapes.

Look at that grin! If only Mom would endorse such a mode of transportation. Yea right!

A friend needed to borrow our truck so George got to drive his crotch rocket. Sawyer (and George) were in love.

He looks so cute in the midst of teasing me!

 

Sawyer still wants to be a cowboy when he grows up.

Backyard adventures. We love it when we find animals that will play with us!

Sometimes it gets so cold in Florida in the winter we have to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate in the backyard.

Wagon rides.

I have to be on guard at all times.

My big helper in the kitchen - making a batch of granola.

I guess the trike seat wasn't good enough. We had read Violet the Pilot earlier that morning...might have inspired him :)

Singin' in the rain!

We love our independent, happy Sawyer boy!

 

Happy Halloween!

I can't believe November is almost over now. The time is F.L.Y.I.N.G! I wanted to share some of our fall fun here in Florida. As much as I miss the west and beautiful mountains, I do love the weather in Florida during the winter. We just need to convince all our family and friends to head our way :) At least for the winter, eh??

Picking out our pumpkins. I can't believe how expensive they are here out east! ($20+ for the big-ish ones!)

Jack thought the inside of the pumpkin was gross.

I thought the boys would be all about making a mess with the pumpkin innards, but apparently when they're actually allowed to make a mess it's not as fun.

The finished product!

Cowboy up!

Heading out on the town to find some candy! Sawyer has asked numerous times to go trick-or-treating again since Halloween.

Howdy Partner!

Out trick-or-treating. We made it a full block this year.

Towards the end Sawyer got bored and just wanted to play with the flashlight.

Happy Halloween!

Lost Photos...

I somehow missed these photos from our trip out west. It was the last few days in Cedar City with Aunt Abbie and Grandma and Grandpa Lewis (in full throws of their big move to Colorado).

This might be a lot cuter/funnier if the same exact thing hadn't happened just yesterday.

Chef Sawyer helping Abbie make banana bread.

A break from all the packing/moving to enjoy a double rainbow at the park.

Grandpa and Grandma are so good at playing with the boys.

Uh-oh escapee from the bath on the loose!

The stink pots on the airplane home. It's tough when you're outnumbered, but they actually did fine. It's always nice when we get a whole row to ourselves.

Happy Birthday Sawyer!

Our energetic Sawyer is THREE!! We celebrated his birthday on Friday the 25th. It was low key, but the main little man was happy, and that's what's important.

Waiting for him when he got up was a present on the table...Lucky Charms! He doesn't get sweet cereal like this, so was ecstatic. He ate 5 bowls, oh yea! Notice the last link in his count-down chain...

"It's my birthday!"

Decked out in his spider-man shirt (he requests it everyday) and with his gloves and cowboy boots he's ready to party!

Starting the day off right with a bike ride.

 We opened a few presents intermittently throughout the day.

A bike! We actually probably wouldn't have gotten him a pedal bike this early, but I got it at a really good deal, and he actually does pretty well on it. He's definitely more comfortable on his balance bike, but we'll see how this pedal bike works out over the next few months.

Bring on the SPRINKLES! Uncle Jojo would have loved this cake :)

His requested THREE cakes for his birthday, and wanted to help me make them. He decided on chocolate cake with green frosting and LOTS of sprinkles. He hardly dug into his cakes, and abandoned them for his 'black' ice cream cone.

Note the magic window markers have gone to good use on our sliding doors.

As we finished cake, icecream, and presents I knocked a jar out of the pantry and onto the floor. Miller's Relish and glass was everywhere! Seriously. I found pieces of glass by the piano and all the way on the other side of the house in the toy room, two rooms away!. That's tile for you I guess. It was really annoying, but I set up the boys tent and they got a special movie night while I swept/vacuumed/steam mopped the entire floor. Probably the only way that would have gotten done. :) Note how I had to strap Jack into his car seat otherwise he wouldn't have sat through a movie.

I interviewed Sawyer today and asked him a bunch of questions. Here's is what he had to say (while playing outside on the water table):

What is your name? Sawyer
Where do you live? In my house right here. I live in Florida.
How old are you: Let the record show he indicated 3 fingers :)
When is your birthday? On October
What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a cowboy.
Who is in your family? Jesus Christ
Is anybody else? Not anybody else.
What do you like to eat? Vegetables (proud moment for mom!)
What do you like to do outside? Play see-saw (pointing to his double swing).
What do you like to do inside? Play basketball
Favorite
Color: Green
Show: Curious George
Cereal: My present (He got a box of Lucky Charms this morning).
Toy: Bicycle and car and motorcycle and wagon
Song: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Animal: Hippopotamus
Book: At the library - Curious George
Dessert: Black ice cream (chocolate)
Favorite thing to do with papa: Play songs - Ring Around the Rosie
Favorite thing to do with mommy: Play basketball
Favorite thing to do with Jack: Play toys
What do you want for Christmas? I want an ambulance for Christmas. A BIG ambulance! (Let's hope he means a toy ambulance, and not a ride in the real thing!)
Where does papa work? He works at his meetings in Florida.
What does papa do for work? Fly (looking at George) and you play basketball when you're home.
What does mama do for work? Don't fly, just go to meetings.
Who do you love? I love Jacker, I love papa, I love mama. And you love me mama.

Yes I do love you Sawyer!! He's so cute. Not sure where all the basketball comments came from, we don't really play it all that much, but maybe we should start! Happy Birthday Big Guy, we love you so much!!

Rough Evenings

The last week in October was a rough one...two evening in particular stand out.

Sunday evening George was gone during bedtime (meetings, ugh!). Sawyer dirtied his drawers (gross! he's never done that before) then wasted an entire roll of toilet paper and then to top it off he slammed (and then held) Jack's fingers in the door. This all happened in about a 15 min period.

Then on Tuesday night I was a single parent again (George is working nights). I was trying to do something that needed done (what, I actually have to do 'other' stuff besides be mommy?!) I put the boys in bed (and kept putting them back in bed for about 20 mins). Finally I thought they were done playing games so I went to my room to get the stuff done. I thought I heard something after a while so I went to check on them. They were both in the bathroom throwing all their bath toys in the toilet. Ugh. I've learned that it's better to not even try to get anything done, then I can avoid frustration!

Then on Wednesday I had one of the sweetest evenings with them. We read and snuggles and then I tucked them in their beds and sang to them for a half hour until they drifted off to sleep. It was so peaceful. Being their mom tests my patience and is so rewarding all at the same time. I love that I get to stay home with my boys. We get to spend so much time together and teach each other all about life :)

Brothers!