Things I like about parenting a three year old

1. They say funny things like:

Hey Hans (the imaginary friend)... Can I borrow your iPod?

Beep, Beep, Beep! Errrrrch! Crash! Mom, my recycle truck was in an accident. (on the kitchen floor; Logan's sound effects were particularly excellent : )

I told Wake that I am the super hero so I get to beat up the bad guys. Wake is the bad guy.

I am sad because I miss somebody... who were those people again?

2. Endless capacity for enthusiasm for seemingly routine things like putting on shoes by oneself (delight and arm-raising self-congratulations)

3. Sign of a decline in the need to constantly talk about potty-related activities

4. Opportunity to watch the development of strong personal opinions (also occasionally why it is difficult parenting a three year old)

5. Daily discoveries have extended beyond concrete things like discovering one's toes to discovering more nuanced things about the world

6. Expressions of affection are spontaneous and genuine (as in "I love Grandpa. Let's call him right now!)

7. Endless imagination to make up stories

8. Watching Logan "read" books to himself based on his own memory of the story (also periodically hilarious)

9. Spontaneous singing which for some reason has only happened since age 3

Marathon, Marathon, Marathon

I survived the marathon. After six months of training with Logan in the jogging stroller for most of the runs, I managed to race my way to the finish line.

The first 10 miles were terrific. I was on pace and doing great. Then the hill at mile 12 triggered cramps in my feet and calves. Not much fun. (Apparently I was supposed to drink the cytomax, not the water, to avoid dehydration. Ooops!) Miles 12 to 21 consisted of me trying to convince the muscles in my feet and legs to stop cramping long enough to cover the distance. Miles 21 to 26.2 mostly consisted of me thinking "Oh please can this be over!!!" Somewhere in the middle of the race my heart rate hit 223. I wish I was kidding.

But I finished it. I feel so happy - giddy really.

The best part is Logan feels like a complete champ because he helped me train. He kept telling my parents all morning "I helped mommy train for the marathon. I was her training buddy." And he was there on the course and at the finish line.

So, to my training buddy, I could not have done it without you!!

Having a "commersation"

Tonight as I was putting Logan to bed he tried every stall tactic imaginable. From "I don't think we brushed my teeth" (yes, we did) to "I have to go to the bathroom" to "I have a cough." All the standards and then the newest and best yet "But we're having a commersation mommy."

Our "commersation" was about fishing. Logan decided that although we have a fishing net we are sorely lacking in other fishing gear. His assessment was we need: a fishing rod, a HUGE bucket (because we are going to catch lots of fish!), and other tools. He also needed to discuss each color of fish he thought we were going to catch individually, as in "we might catch a white fish" (Yes we might). We might catch a blue fish. (Yes we might) and so on until he had used up every color he knows. Who knew he had such a color repertoire!

Although I should have cut off the fishing conversation a bit earlier, I morphed into proud mommy mode and just enjoyed ou "commersation" until the colors and gear ran out and he tried a new topic.

However, as I escaped his room and almost had the door closed I heard "we are going to have to go fishing tomorrow..."

BA DA! (or Ta Da...)

Tonight at the library Logan discovered the children's play area included a puppet theatre and puppets. I was treated to the story of the Dinosaur and the Lion which started with the above action and the yelling of "BA DA!!" which I am pretty sure is supposed to be "ta da!" It all got better from there - total joy! What a lucky mommy am I?!

The Beauty of Three

Logan endured another weekend of funeral time with a grace rarely seen in a three year old. He played and read quietly through a funeral that was 1.5 hours long. He made a sticker collage and held it up for the priest to see (sadly this priest was not amused but everyone else around him was). He hugged and kissed everyone to make them feel better - and quietly fished for sharks with a makeshift fishing pole I magically had in my purse.

He also decided he wanted to say goodbye to his Guido in the open casket. After much mental debate, I decided to go along with his request. It was what he wanted (and research on it said that it was okay). When we walked up to the casket Logan said goodbye and threw Guido one last kiss. This gesture opened floodgates of tears for me and will remain in my memory for my lifetime.

Logan was his charming, sweet, and energetic self. He endeared himself to countless family members and basked in their adoration. Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Great Aunts and Great Uncles lavished him with love and attention.

So, when he went back to preschool this morning and the teachers asked him about his weekend he said "I had lots of special family time." Therein lies the beauty of age three.