Carter's Top 10 List at 3 Years Old: # 7, 6,& 5

#7. - His Favorite T.V. Shows

Although we try to limit his time in front of the television, I am finding that my DVR is quickly being taken over by kid's shows. We are happily shocked by the quality of entertaining and educational television shows that he loves. Since Addie was born, he gets 1 - 30 minute show a day while we are putting Addie down for the night. His favorites in the last 6 months are Little Einsteins, Sid The Science Kid, Word World and Super Why. Thank you PBS!

# 6. - Any thing where he can be competitive

It doesn't matter if it is completing a puzzle or playing his new favorite game Zingo with his 95 year old great grandma. He could not be listening to what I am asking him to do and all I have to do is say, "I'll time you." Or, "I'll race you," and I have his complete and total focus instantly. He loves to race Blake, Cash or anyone else who will take him on. The biggest obstacle has been him learning that he will not always win. In the last 6 months, we have had major instances of Carter having a complete and TOTAL meltdown when he doesn't win. The most recent being when mommy or daddy beat him in a tough game of Zingo.

#5. - His Best Friend Cash

I don't know how many times the name "Cash" has been said in our home but I am guessing at least 1000 times in the last year. Beginning a few months ago, every single question we asked Carter involved "Cash" as part of the answer. It didn't matter if we asked him where he learned to say "Yes, boobs," or where he learned to write the letter C, Cash is always the answer both good and bad!

There was a time not too long ago, after the boys had transitioned together to the 3 year old class, that Carter would cry and desperately not want to go to daycare if Cash was gone for the day. These boys, as different as the are, have such a strong bond and good time together.

Carter's Top 10 List at 3 Years Old: #'s 10, 9, & 8

Similar to last year's TOP 10 LIST at 2 YEARS OLD #10-8, #6 & 5, #4, #3, #2 & #1, we are doing it again! This is a list of Carter's TOP 1o list RIGHT NOW as he is turning 3 years old in just 3 days. Drum roll please!

# 10. - His Tricycle

Now that Carter has been able to confidently ride his tricycle completely by himself for the last 4-5 months, he has become very independent when we go on walks (except on big hills of course.) This Kettler tricycle has been such a great purchase for his 1st birthday and has continued to be a sturdy staple in our home!


#9. - Trains

Suddenly, in the last 3 months, Carter has become fascinated with trains so we knew what would be a perfect birthday gift for him. Even before he got this wonderful wooden train set from Ya-Ya and Grandpa, he constantly said he wanted a train set from Santa. Now, since he has the train set, the #1 gift he is asking from Santa is "Thomas" from Thomas The Train. He spends so much time just walking in circles around his train table softly going, "chuga chuga chuga." The biggest worry he has is his 19 month old sister regularly coming in and destroying his track. ;)

Before and After...

Here is was quietly playing while walking in circles dozens of times.

#8. - Finding things outside like rocks & acorns

Everyday, when we get to daycare to pick him up in the afternoons, acorns are filling his take home folder from a successful day out on the play ground. During acorn season this fall, our walks around the neighborhood last twice as long and are half the distance, the time well-spent finding acorns. At the lake each visit, one of the very favorite activities we do many times a day is collecting rocks and sticks to throw into the lake. Such a sweet nature lover little boy, our Carter is!

Letter to Santa.

Addie and Carter at 19 months and 36 months tonight, writing their letter to Santa.

Although so much has changed, some things are the same 1 year ago EXACTLY at 7 months and 24 months. Addie still can't keep crayons out of her mouth.

Carter was very into the whole process of getting the letter mailed off tonight to The North Pole. From signing his name with a "C", stuffing the envelope, licking it, putting a stamp on it and taking it out to the mail box!

I just realized that Carter wore these very same sized pajamas he has on tonight when he was 12 months old back in 2007... WOW!

Afternoon with Santa

Our generous friends, The Cox Family, invited us to their special Christmas Party last Sunday where they had asked Santa and Mrs. Claus to attend. Let's just say that it wasn't all smiles like this...

With Santa looking so handsome and sweet, you would have thought Carter and Addie would have had a moment like sweet Cash here...

However, throwing a dramatic tantrum complete with falling to the ground was what Addie did with her time with Santa.

The most amazing experience for Carter began when Santa called "Carter Brown" to come up and sit on his lap. Carter happened to be in the other room eating when this happened. I got him to walk into the room and when Santa said "Hi Carter" in his deep, loud voice, Carter stopped in his tracks and would go NO FARTHER. This picture was taken from the behind Santa while Santa was talking to Carter.

From the 15 foot distance, Santa told Carter that he heard that he "wanted race cars and Thomas the Train for Christmas." When Carter heard that, he looked up in awe at Santa. Santa went on to ask Carter about "Will Ferrell," the Elf Santa had sent to stay with us and report back to him each night. Carter nodded his head in disbelief. For a 3 year old boy, this experience with Santa had to simply be astounding and magical. We are so thankful to have been given this experience with Santa in such a personal and intimate surrounding this year.

Although, similar to last year, we have no photo of just our 2 kids peacefully sitting on Santa's lap. It took Blake and I actually "sitting on Santa's lap" to take this year's picture with no tears. Even 2007 wasn't an easy experience!