I doubt this is the first time they'll compete for a girl

We went on a tour of Braum's. It was great- superior products, love their philosophy, and I will continue to happily support them.

My boys were more excited that they got to have a little friend ride in between them. I think they are both smitten. These kids have known each other since they were babies and it's nice that they can grow up together since their cousins are out of state or out of the country.

At one point during the forty five minute car ride, Sweetie got tired and just had to rest her curly head on David's shoulder. My mom (who rode with us) and I kept looking in the rearview mirror and David would just look down at his tiny sidekick and grin. Several times he planted kisses on her forehead and smiled adoringly at her. This didn't sit well with Drew. He did everything in his power to turn her head. Sang loudly, made animal noises, flung his milkshake around, ripped a napkin into tiny pieces, you know, the usual ways to woo a girl.

Then when we all got in the Holstein bus for our tour, David got to sit with her. Drew was happy to sit with Gram, but he kept looking wistfully over at the happy couple.

I couldn't help feeling bad for Drew. Why is it that girls are always attracted to older, taller males? All I can tell him is wait a week, her sister will arrive soon.

gotta love it

David freaked out on Sunday, when he realized we had missed his Bible class since we were in Broken Arrow. While we did go to church there, he was upset that he didn't get a memory verse. We also didn't go to church last Wednesday night because Drew was way too tired and needed to go to bed. When David figured all this out, he said, "What?! When we go back, I'll get three memory verses at once?!" Imagine him saying it in the same voice that you would use if you were telling someone that Earth was about to collide with Mars. It wrinkled his brain.

While this conversation is taking place, I am thinking to myself, "Wow, he really loves memorizing scripture, this is so great!" Then, I see him go over to the refrigerator and start counting his verses. And it dawned on me. While he may very well like learning from the Bible, this isn't why he was upset about not getting three more verses.

It's his collecting frenzy kicking in yet again. No matter what it is, if David finds several of anything, they instantly becomes a collection and he loves whatever it is simply because of the sheer volume. Case in point, we have a box of paper airplanes that can't be touched, a bucket full of weird looking seeds he found, and displays of all sorts of block things he has made. These are his biggest treasures right now. He has also taken all of my mom's cookie cutters to add to our cookie cutters and is collecting scraps of wood that my dad cuts for him.

It makes him happy. It makes us laugh. And he does know all of his verses. So now you know how to make my son really happy. Die cut some shapes of construction paper, and add some Proverbs. He'll love it.

Well, obviously

Of course, since I wrote a couple of posts ago that three was a great age, I would be jolted back to reality.
Someone please tell me that the one Hep A shot that Drew got at his three year old appointment on Thursday is what caused him to act demon possessed on Friday morning. The. Worst. Fit. Ever. In front of lots of people. Lasting a total of forty-five minutes. The only thing that I can figure out is that he was very, very, very tired and very, very, very hungry. This red faced screaming banshee was not the kid I know. My kid definitely does not bite his brother and hit me repeatedly saying, "I don't wuv YOU!" That's eighteen month old behavior if you ask me.
Drew hasn't been napping lately. He thinks he can handle it, but his growing body disagrees. Also, an infant eats less often than Drew does these days. He has the appetite of a ranch hand. No Honey Nut Cheerios for him, ma'm. Well, he would eat them, but he also needs a side of scrambled eggs and some bacon. Maybe some ham and gravy too if it's not too much trouble. We feel like we need to fill our pockets with meat for him to snack on before we go out. I may have to venture to the Beef Jerky Emporium.
I will not let everyone who says that three years old is worse than two years old be right. (That sentence is awkward, but you get it.) The only thing I can figure out that we did differently with David was that we were on a strict routine and schedule because Drew was fifteen months old and life was just easier that way.
I can do strict routines. It drives everyone around me batty, but to have a good relationship with Drew, well, I'll do it. On days that he doesn't nap, he has to be asleep by 7:45. End of story, or the next day is even more terrible. And while not having to be home for naps did have it's appeal, I think we need to be home and at least having a long rest every afternoon.
Wish me luck.

Wild Things

I just finished reading the introduction and first two sections of the book Wild Things, The Art of Nurturing Boys. It's written by Stephen James and David Thomas. They each have two or three boys and one writer is a therapist. Both are also Christians.
I like this book because it has sections on each age group of boys (so I only read the 2-4 year old stage and the 5-7 year old stage.) Also, it gives concrete things that you can do to help your boy grow into a strong, Christian leader while also helping them to be obedient. This manual mirrors what I have come to know already. Boys are different. They are physical, competitive creatures who think and learn differently. I am happy that there are books like this out there that celebrate these differences and teach moms and dads how to best parent their sons. (Bringing Up Boys by Dr. Dobson is also really good.)
Here are some pictures of my Wild Things. Drew got an Ezy-Roller for his birthday. David already had one. Our garage is full of bikes, trikes, and now these. And I am fine with that.

We went to a Redhawks game on Sunday evening. I think kids are free and eat free every Sunday. We still had to buy an extra corndog for Drew. And they were the footlong kind. He must be growing.

They also got to run the bases afterwards. David found it thrilling.

I find baseball a bit dull. But look how happy it makes these three.

The heat wore them out. Don't ever tell us that they are too big to be carried. David's still just four and Drew's only three. I would have carried one of them if I needed to. Lucky for me they are proportionate in size to their Dad.

And I can't resist adding this picture. Drew found his robe, these socks, and some hand-me down shoes from either Gabe, Sammy, or David. The best part was, he put the shoes on and said, "I look just like Daddy." I am assuming it's because Keith has dress shoes. Because I haven't seen a giant dragon robe around the house.

Pictures from Gram

It makes it hard to be motivated to bring my camera places when my mom is with us. She takes excellent pictures. Here are two links to them. The first is from our visit to the blackberry patch a couple of weeks ago and the second set is Drew's birthday.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/heyitsdebv/sets/72157624320361925/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/heyitsdebv/sets/72157624366031611/

Fwee Years

Three is a magic age in our house. It's the big boy age. Drew is fully potty trained, separation anxiety is a distant memory and fits are rare and usually only when hungry or really tired. So as happy as Drew is this morning with his Bat Cave, I am even happier.

We plan to celebrate by playing all morning, resting this afternoon and then having a neighborhood pool party this evening. I drew a line in the sand this year. Just neighbor kids are invited to the party. Sorry. Any more and it would be complete chaos. And I would be feeling too stressed to really enjoy the main event and celebrate with Drew. So while I feel bad about it, I had to do what was right for the birthday boy. And this year it was only a few kids that he plays with all the time and knows well. Otherwise the guest list would have ballooned to forty kids plus parents.

Here are the things we love about Drew:

1) He is a minimalist, all he really asked for his birthday was a "turkey that stands up on his own" and then when I told him last night that I couldn't find one, he just said, "Well, maybe next year."

2) His white curly hair.

3) We love his rumbly voice and how he points one finger and says things like, "Actually, pandas love bamboo."

4) Drew is a good friend, especially to his brother.

5) He is very funny.

6) He swims like a little fish and spends most of his time underwater.

7) And last, he just has a sweet, sweet heart. You can attest to this if you have spent any time with him.

We love this guy and are SO happy that he came into our life three years ago!!!