Happy 3rd birthday, Eli!!

How can it be that this sweet boy is 3 already?! Eli is such a blessing in our life, and we are so thankful for him! Even as hard as it is sometimes, I wouldn't trade it for anything!

It's hard to believe how much he's changed in just one year. At 2, he was still saying his first words and maybe making two-word combos like "more please" or "red ball" and now a year later he's talking full sentences non-stop and really very clearly! He's got so many ideas in his head he sometimes can't generate the words fast enough though!

He's a smart boy and grasps concepts quickly: smaller, bigger, more, less, matching, sorting, left/right. He knows almost all his letters now and numbers 1-10. He always skips "5" when counting but otherwise does very well counting objects/pictures. He's getting much better at learning how to hold a pen for writing and can trace pictures pretty closely. Coloring, however, is not his favorite thing. He's more likely to play with crayons than actually color with them.

Loves...
* doing activities and workbook pages and sometimes requests to do them
* anything TRAINS!
* digging
* cats and chasing them
* playing with little trucks
* cooking
* washing dishes
* wrestling with daddy
* being LOUD
* talking on the phone (he wanders around the house while he talks too, it's cute)

Eli is very BOY and loves all things little boy! But he's very sweet at the same time. He's quick to say "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that!" if he bumps you or you say "Ow!" If you make a sigh or seem like you're in a bad mood, he'll ask me what's wrong. Even when the kitty meows, he'll stoop down to it and ask it what's wrong. The other day I didn't feel too well, and Eli says, "Let's find something to make you feel better...(pause)...Hmm, something warm and cozy... (thinking)... I have a good idea! ("goodea") A blanket. (very matter of factly and goes to couch) My blankie! (and puts it over my lap)." Very thoughtful and sweet to even give me his blankie!

Potty training has been another exciting thing as of late. It took him a long time to show any interest and I finally just kind of prodded him into it. It clicked with him one day and he does very well. Still have several accidents in the same day and other days stay completely dry. He still won't go on any other potties except his own, but at least it's a great start! And he's very determined when he says, "I will not poop in my underwear!" Thank you for that one!

Eli is a good big brother. He and Hannah get along very well. We have a fair share of sibling squabbles when it comes to sharing, but they're otherwise nice with each other and love playing together. And they're getting a nice partnership where he can help her do things, like he opens the fridge door for her so she can put her cup away or he shows her how to put clothes (and only clothes!) down the laundry shoot. He loves to tell her to say certain words or sometimes I'll hear him pointing out something to her while we're driving in the car.

An exciting part of this year has been watching how much Eli learns, understands, and remembers as everyday things about our life become more and more natural. It totally makes my heart swell to hear Eli say his own prayers followed with an almost complete Lord's Prayer. If he can remember all that, he can certainly start doing memory verses! He reminds me of people we need to pray for when we're at the dinner table. And he has a basic understanding of the gospel. He teaches me every day what it means really means to love and how I can be a better example of Christ.

Thank you, God, for the wonderful blessing of Eli!!