My "threenager"

I often joke that Shepard is three going on 15. He acts like he's the boss, and is already saying, "You're wrong; I'm right." At which point we say, "Well, either way, that's being rude, and we don't act like that..." Then he giggles and says, "You're right, and I'm right. And that's being nice, right?"

He's listening! So funny how some days he likes to tell you all the rules, even when they're rules he doesn't necessarily abide by. Kinda like a lot of adults I know...but anyway.

It's already JUNE. And my sweet little baby boy is about to turn four. I cannot understand how this happened. But I'm going to celebrate, either way.

Here is his annual "yearbook" that I'm ordering. This is my version of scrapbooking. I love these. And I love getting a groupon and discount codes for them too. Yay for groupon and shutterfly! Enjoy.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Create your own custom photo books at Shutterfly.com.

A little bit of this, and a little bit of that.

Shepard has officially finished his first year of preschool. I didn't take a cute picture on the front steps with him holding a cute chalkboard. We were doing good to get all the stuff together for water day. On this day, Mommy has to remember to bring a full change of clothes, get him there in water clothes and shoes, with sunscreen on every inch of his wiggling body, bring a towel and wrap two gifts and write cards for the grad assistants/teachers. So, no picture. I did snap these with my phone on that day, so there's that.

Shepard and Landon play in the water table. Landon has alternately been his very best friend and "not his friend" since day one. But mostly his very best friend. Except sometimes Landon says "me first" and isn't very nice, so Shepard goes and plays with Libba.

That's Shepard in the middle and the playground as water day commenced.

Lately, here's what we've been discussing. Cousin Madeleine asked him in the car the other day what he wanted to be when he grew up. He answered "a mommy." At first, my heart leapt, as I thought, "That's actually kind of sweet. He wants to be like me..." Then my brain took over, as I realized that was not his thought process at all.
Me: "Shepard, is that because you want to be in charge."
In the rearview mirror, he just nodded his head yes. Madeleine and I explained to him that he could be a parent AND something else. So he picked "Daddy, because I'm a boy and boys are daddies." So I asked him why. "Because I want to be in charge," he said.
So, that's him in a nutshell. He did say the other day that he wanted to be a Daddy and a teacher, just like his Daddy and teach at Daddy's school and live in his same house, and I could live with him forever and be the Mommy. When I asked him if there was a special girl that he wanted to live with, he said me. So, I'm actually good with that for now.

Oh the pressure!

HEADLINE: 

Shepard's mom incredibly slack of late due to who knows what

Instead of trying to instantaneously recap the last TWO months, I'll just tell what I loved about the last few days...

Easter-egg dying party

• At night when we're settling in for sleep (at long last, usually), Shepard usually turns on his side and throws his arm over me. Like a sleepy side-hug. It's awesome.
• Last night, Shepard and Daddy built a "house" out of sofas, stools and pillows in the lounge. Then Shepard decided it was Mommy's birthday and had me over for (fake) cupcakes, (real) dance party, and he and Daddy sang (real) "Happy Birthday" to me. I invited Henry Hugglemonster and friends and Shepard did their voices. I like watching his imagination at work.
• Shepard asks me about 492 questions every day. I love his curiosity. I wish it had a shut-off at 9 pm, but I love that he's curious and wants all the answers. Questions lately have included:
• Why do we have hair?
• Do boogers have nutrients?
• Why did the sky go boom-boom last night (thunder)?
• Why are eyeballs round?
• Why do we have eyelashes?
• Why do eyelashes fall out into your eye?
• Why is there an American flag there?
• Why does Elsa have frozen powers?
• Why do you not know?
• Why didn't you write the movie?
• Why don't you work for Disney?
• Why didn't Mr. Disney invite you to work for him?
• Is that tree a forevergreen?
• Why is sugar a treat food?
• Why doesn't it have nutrition?
• Why does William have a girl baby (baby sister)?
•  A few nights ago, Shepard led Gigi and I (with capes) on a mission to blast the bad guy (Pops) with hot rocks and make him go away. We ran through the house yelling and being excited together. 
• I should have bought stock in Chick-fil-A years ago. I think they put toddler-crack in their food.
• This morning when he woke up (in our bed because of the thunderstorm), he asked, "Am I four yet?" Not sure what four holds in store for him, but it's funny because I have a distinct memory of asking my own mom if I would EVER turn 4.
  

  

  Aren't they cute? Next year we'll do way more. I need my own dozen.

  
  

  

  Easter basket in jammies

To the mountains! Part two.

A few more snapshots of the weekend in Tennessee.

From the cabin porch

Great view from the cabin

To the mountains!

We had a little family getaway to celebrate our friend Mike's 40th birthday. This was likely the first trip to the mountains that Shepard will remember. He was very excited about seeing the mountains, the tunnels, the icicles and the leftover snow.

What fun.

Learning about the art of snowball fighting

Daily Outtakes

Oh man, are we getting to the fun stage of lots of funny replies and musings...


Shepard: "Owwwww owwwww owww! It hurts!"
Me: "What hurts, sweetie?"
S: "My finger. Owwwwwww."
Me: "Aw, let me see..." (going in for the kisses)
S: "I don't need kisses, I need p'roxide."

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"Mommy, why did you paint your fingers?"
Me: "I thought it made them look pretty."
S: "Oh. Are they MAGENTA?"

Yes, he used the word magenta.

February 2014

A tiny snow day

We had the tiniest dusting of snow, so of course, we had to suit up and play for a few minutes. This happens only about once a year. Last year, we had a really good one and I made a MOVIE about it. This year, we just snapped some photos. Is this me getting lazier? I hope not.

Is that a HALO!?

Regis loved it.