Carson Ryley - 3 Years

How do we have a three year old?! Sometimes I just sit and stare at Carson as he plays or sits on the floor flipping through books, and I am in disbelief that the precious little baby that made me a mama is already such a big kid.  Time really does fly, and while there are many moments where I want to pull my hair out or lock myself in the bathroom and eat chocolate, being a mother to these boys is such a blessing that I wouldn't trade for the world.

I think this picture is such a good representation of Carson’s personality - he is full of energy, funny, passionate, dramatic, active, and more ornery than ever.  He is full of life and excited about everything.  When he talks, he talks loud and with passion in his voice about everything, even if its just to tell you something simple like he has to go to the bathroom.  He makes us laugh a hundred times throughout the day, even when he’s being naughty.  

I never want to forget the way he laughs and brings his little hands up to his mouth.  It's the sweetest thing!

A few things about Carson at 3:

• He has developed quite the imagination.  He plays with toys and pretends they are talking to each other, he calls people on his play phone and has conversations with them, etc.  It's fun to listen to his brain work!
• He loves to play with cars and tractors.  His other favorite toys are dress up clothes (firefighter, monster, etc.), his doctor kit to give check-ups, and anything to dig with outside.
• His favorite color is yellow and it never changes.
• He talks non-stop.  And that is not an exaggeration.  If he is awake, he is talking.  His little mind is always going and he has a million questions and/or comments.  He’s not just talking to talk - he wants to engage in a real conversation with whoever is around!  He is definitely in the question-asking stage.  He doesn’t ask me why as much as he asks me, “What’s after that?”.  He likes to know exactly what we are going to do during the day.  What’s after we play?  What’s after lunch?  What’s after nap?  What’s after that???? He will ask me days at a time!  It’s so funny and also some days it is verrrry hard to keep my patience when he asks a million questions and never stops talking :)
• His favorite tv shows are Wild Kratts and Handy Manny.
• His favorite food is peanut butter and jelly.  Most mornings he wakes up and asks if we can eat lunch, because he knows I don’t let him have PB&J for breakfast.  Smart kid, I tell ya.
• He is getting better about entertaining himself while playing, but still very much prefers if I play with him.  Hudson loves to follow Carson around and do whatever he’s doing - sometimes they play so nicely together and other times Carson gets super frustrated because Hudson interferes with what he’s playing with.
• He is very fidgety and loves to be touching someone at all times.  When you read him books, he wants to sit ON you and fidgets around the entire time.  At a restaurant, he will touch you during the whole meal with his sticky fingers.  Ben won't sit beside him when he meet him for lunch and he has to go back to work :) 
• He doesn't realize his own strength and loves to be rough.  I constantly have to be on guard because I never know when he's going to come slamming into me!  Boys :)
• He is so ornery but at the same time hates to disappoint us.  He is quick to give hugs, smiles, and make sure someone is ok if something happens to them.  He definitely has a kind, loving heart and it is so precious to watch that emerge between the rough housing and sword fighting.
• He weighs 41 pounds and is 41.5 inches tall, both in the 97-100th percentile.  Still a huge kid!  He is still wearing 3T clothes but most are getting too small.

It is so hard to try to describe a person's personality - especially one with a very boisterous personality at that :)  

They usually play so well together, but sometimes Hudson pushes his buttons and gets him right where he wants him...

Snacking on a whole cucumber.  Stole it from me while I was chopping it for dinner! 

Birthday boy!

We had a small party with my family.  He requested Buzz Lightyear  - another one of his latest favorites.  We had a nice evening celebrating the new three year old!

On his actual birthday, I asked him what he wanted for breakfast and without hesitation he said donuts.  Ben had to go to work, so the boys and I went to the donut shop and grandma and grandpa met us there.

Later that day we went out for lunch with daddy.  Carson chose a hot dog and french fries - it was a really healthy eating day! :)

And on the way home we stopped at the store and he got to pick a toy out for his birthday.  He looked over all of the toys for a looooong time and finally decided on this sword and shield.  He would not change his mind no matter how much this mama tried to convince him to choose other things! :)

We love you, sweet Carson!

Oh - one other thing I don't want to forget.  Carson's bedtime prayer each night is always exactly the same.  I think it's so sweet!  "Dear God, thank you for mommy and daddy and Hudson and Carson.  Thank you for Jenna and Mason and Micah and Brian.  Thank you for Jenna and Betty, feel ("heal") their bodies.  Help mama's heart feel better.  We love you Jesus, Amen."  He also is the prayer police - during prayers he looks around and scolds people who do not have their eyes closed. :)