The threenager

And it's already time for another update on Isaac.

Of all the words I could use to describe him, I think the best that I've come up with is "intense", followed closely by "complicated".

There is only all or nothing with this kid. Extreme stubbornness and strong will are trademarks of my family that I can trace back to at least my gran and grandad. Gordon also has a healthy dose himself. So this poor kid has decades worth of it stored in this little 3.5 year old body.

Basically his personality and his intellect are waaaaay too big for his physical self, and tend to explode out of him sometimes.

That's probably the most accurate way to describe my son.

Despite that fact, he does love typical little boy things like playing cars, climbing trees, potty humour, and superheroes.

 

He would tell you his favourite food is macaroni and cheese, but he also loves smoothies, PB&J, bell peppers (like will eat two whole ones in a sitting), and strawberries.

Right now his current obsession is Batman, and although we currently limit the screen Batman to "Batman Lego" on the computer, everything is Batman. His clothes are his "batman suit", his bike is his "batman motorcycle", Mia is "batman girl", and I was officially given the title of "batmom". His "batman moves" involve jumping off random things and somersaulting, flying kicks, and air boxing.

Batman kind of turns into the third parent around here. Isaac is always parroting my words back to me or his little sister.

"mum can you please put your knife away when you're done with it?"

"Mia you're in timeout, close the door, and do not come out until I say."

me: "Isaac you need to do [xyz] now please." Isaac: "No, YOU need to do [xyz] now."

At his uncle's wedding right in front of the head table "I hate stupid weddings!" me: "Isaac that's enough." Isaac: "No you're enough!"

Still found a little enthusiasm to dance with little sis at the wedding

He can be a pretty bossy and incredibly cheeky Batman, sometimes testing me to my ultimate limits. I could spend the entire post talking about the daily struggle to keep a balance between boundary setting, while still giving him independence and freedom. But he's such an awesome kid, I don't want to dwell on the challenges. I have a feeling I'll remember them pretty well without the blog's help haha.

He is pretty protective of Mia in social situations, and always wants her to be included. They get into lots of typical brother-sister tiffs, but most of the time he is very loving and quick to share with her. They've started this routine of going to sleep together in Isaac's bed every night, and Isaac hates going to sleep without her.

He spontaneously started saying "Thank you mummy for making this yummy supper." every night at dinner.

He loves to remind me that he was right, even though usually he was wrong, and is stealing my credit for being right.

He thinks he's an expert driver and is frequently telling me off for stopping at red lights, not running over the cars in front of me when the light is green, and turning left. Apparently batman cars don't need to follow traffic laws.

He is happiest when he is outside. He cares very little for toys.

He will wear shorts and a tshirt no matter how cold it is outside, and hates wearing a coat. His current fashion trend is socks hiked up to his knees with sandals.

He loves going to primary and reading scripture stories at night before bed.

He remembers EVERYTHING.

Recreating a scene from Toy story 2!

Although he causes me to question daily everything I thought I knew as a parent, and whether what I'm doing is right or wrong, he has caused me to grow in empathy, patience, and compassion (especially for other parents!). He has taught me to quell my temper, to be quick to apologize and quicker to forgive. He has taught me to be flexible, adaptable, and humble. He helps me remember that I need the Lord's guidance daily as a mother, and that I cannot do this alone.

Thanks son for helping me to grow so much as a person!

She's the best of many worlds!

Our little Mimi is so many things. She's hard to pin down because she seems to embrace so many different likes and dislikes.

-She can be a complete daredevil, trying to climb and jump off the highest heights possible with her big brother. She also loves to spin and swing-the higher and faster the better.

-She can be a total girly girl, and obsess over her hair and nails. Or my hair and nails. She frequently gets her brush and brushes her hair in the TV, or meticulously inspects her nails for flaws, which if found I must immediately rectify.

-She can be a huge tomboy, and loves to play in dirt, stare at bugs, and wrestle/provoke her big brother.

-She can throw the most obnoxious (and shrillest) tantrums. I have recently dubbed this "she-hulk", because she'll screw up her face til it's red, clench her fists, and shriek at the top of her lungs until her whole body vibrates. I half expect her to burst out of her clothes. There is usually some throwing of objects...or punches as well.

-She can be artsy and loves to dance, sing, and draw. Her signature move is the "bauble head", which is pretty much exactly like it sounds,with an added in a shoulder shrug every so often. I'll catch her bobbing back and forth to whatever is on the radio when we're driving somewhere.

- She can be "science-y" (could not think of a great word...), and walks around the house counting to 10, or reads every single book on the shelf, even falling asleep "reading". She knows her colours and shapes.

-She can giggle and laugh about anything. She will do something just to make herself laugh over and over and then say "Oh, I funny!".

-She can also get stinking mad about anything. You opened her yogurt for her? Here's a flying spoon for you. You closed the door when she wanted to? Here's a full on meltdown for you. You hung up the phone and didn't let her push the "red button"? Hope your phone enjoys their 3 foot trip across the room!
It's definitely the age where boundaries are tested, independence is coveted, and tantrums abound. Unlike her brother (who seemed to be like that from birth), the time where she actually "entered" this stage was pretty noticeable, so we're hoping the "exiting" will be just as obvious haha.

-She can be incredibly stubborn. She will be huffing and puffing and grunting trying to do something on her own for several minutes and I'll ask if she wants help "No!". Three minutes later-still huffing and puffing, ask if she wants help "No!". Usually she manages to figure out whatever it is she wanted to do, or she just gives up the whole endeavor. Everything is "No I want do!".

-She can be the biggest sweetheart, and greets mum or dad with a huge "Mummy!" or "Daddy!" and hug and kiss when we come in the house, even if we only just left to take the garbage out. She loves to cuddle, and is concerned about anyone who she remotely suspects has an "owie", or any random baby she hears crying. She idolizes her big brother.

Milestones
-Leaving behind the crib for the big girl bed (end of January)
-Being fully potty trained-without any rewards or sticker charts, just good old fashioned clapping! (middle of February)
-First hair cut (April)

Random
-She's obsessed with having socks on
-She's oblivious to her surroundings a lot of the time, and is always tripping over something or bumping into something (her eyes have been checked and are fine!)
-I think yellow is her favourite colour? She's always asking me for the yellow cup or plate, and always goes for the yellow sock first (even though the other one is currently at her granny and grampy's), she must wear the one yellow one.
-She loves to wear her bathing suit over her clothes-sometimes TWO bathing suits are required.

As much as the "terrible twos" are legitimately upon us, most of the time this little girl turns them in to "terrific twos"!