Chris: Age 3

Chris is 3! This has been a big year for Chris. Here are some highlights:

• Learned to talk in amazingly grammatically correct, full sentences. We left him at Grandma's house for a week, and he magically went from saying one or two words at a time to telling us stories. Everyone is amazed at his speaking skills.
• Became a big brother when Kate was born in November. He loves helping with Kate, and he is a great big brother (as long as she isn't stealing his toys). 
• Sleeps like a champ, and is a super easy kid to get to bed. (a rare child in this house)
• After much difficulty, finally learned to ride his tricycle.
• Eats just about anything if we can get him to sit still long enough.
• Has very high cuddle needs, especially in the morning. You can tell if Chris hasn't had adequate morning cuddles because he is grumpy. Life cereal is his favorite breakfast.
• The terrible threes have hit, and there is a lot of crying and tantruming going on lately.
• Loves playing in water, whether it is the bath, the sink, the tub, the hose, or the water table.
• Knows all of his letters and numbers and is starting to learn their sounds.
• Started potty training 6 days ago, and he is doing great!
• He is a very independent player and is pretty happy to be left on his own in his room to read or play trains. In the morning, he wakes up and plays happily until we come to let him out, then greets us excitedly.
• Still definitely Mommy's boy, but he loves Daddy now too. He has learned that Daddy is the fun one. 
• His favorite toys are his wooden trains, Play Doh, Hot Wheels, Little People, and any kind of building toy (legos, blocks, magformers, etc.) He also loves puzzles.
• Favorite Shows: Baby Einstein, Stinky & Dirty, Chuggington, DinoTrucks
• Favorite Place: Grandma's house
• Favorite Foods: olives, watermelon, pineapple

 We started Chris's birthday with pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls before church.

 After church, we decorated the cake, and of course the birthday boy got to lick the beater.

 We partied with family at Grandma & Grandpa Hindman's house. He had some help from Sarah & his cousins opening his gifts. He got cars, a puzzle, a Little People carnival, and trucks.

 Chris was very specific about his cake request. He wanted a chocolate cake with lots of red letter B's. No one knows why. He was thrilled with it.

 Blowing out the candles. Only took 50 tries.

 Delicious!

 Chris's potty training selfie. I had a hard time convincing him to ditch the diapers, but now he is very proud of his undies, which he says are very soft and comfy.

 Finally mastered the trike.

 Happy boy!

 Cutest kids.

We love you, Chris!