3 year well check

Dearest Colton,

Just a few days after you turned 3, our family of four went to the doctor together for your well-check.  You were the perfect patient and did exactly what was asked of you for all of the various "tests".  We found out that you are 39 inches tall.  I didn't write down which percentile that put you in but I know it was somewhere around 80 or 85% and you're just a smidge taller than your brother was at this age.  

You weighed 39 lbs and that totally tops the charts (around 95% percentile!)!  

Other than some digestive issues that are seriously halting our potty training right now, you were given a clean bill of health!  You received the flu mist and then we were happily on our way.  

Three cheers for a healthy three year old!!!

Firsts

Dear Colton and Jax,

With the end of our FIRST summer in our new house quickly coming to a close, we left our nest for a few other FIRST experiences:

FIRST time at the Perot Museum

While I've heard that this new museum is advanced and fun, I'd also heard that it's incredibly crowded - so I had been delaying our visit.  But then the Vaughns invited us to tag along with their membership so it seemed like the perfect timing.  Except the rumors are all true.  While it was fun and educational, it was also packed with kids!  We made the most of it though and I think y'all had a great time!

FIRST Friday Night Fireworks

A neighboring town shoots off fireworks every Friday night during the summer and I've wanted to go watch them for a while now.  So, last weekend, we finally partook in this free event!  We hung out on a blanket together right on the lake shore and it was a lot of fun! 

(self-pics are not my specialty and that flash was bright!!)

FIRST time to be FIRST at one of our favorite playgrounds

We got to the playground around 8:45 the other morning and we were shocked that no one else was there!  One of our favorite playgrounds all to ourselves?  Yes, please!!

Just a few more weeks and then it'll be time for our FIRST days of school!

3rd Birthday Party

Dearest Colt,

Sunday night we hosted some of your friends at our house for a pirate themed pool party in honor of your 3rd birthday.  

I tried to incorporate pirate things here and there and it all turned out nicely.

The food was basic and simple but only the "treasure map" was photographed.  (Also on the menu were "cannon balls," "pirate's booty," "Polly's crackers," and "fish & chips.")

We tried a new-to-us bakery for your cake and it was as adorable as it was delicious!  The bottom tier was tuxedo (chocolate and vanilla layered with oreo filling) and the top tier was lemon.

Guests started arriving right at 4:00 and all of the kids jumped in the pool right away.  It was such a fun scene in the backyard!

We took a break from swimming around 5:30 to chow down.

And then I asked for a group picture before we cut the cake.

As everyone sang "Happy Birthday", you covered your mouth as if you were surprised : )

And, even after everyone else finished their cake and jumped back in the pool, you were the last one at the table going to town on your cake!

All the kids took a few swings at the pinata after the swimming was done.  Turns out, it takes more than a plastic bat to break open those things!  We ended up having each kid take a string.  Everyone pulled at the same time and that finally released the treasures.

Last, but not least, we all went inside for gifts.  Your friends got you so many neat things and then we said goodbye to our last guest a little after 7:00.

We took a few group shots to wrap things up.

Your brother suggested that he take the last picture of the day and we were all cracking up as he had the lens pointed in crazy directions.  Yet, this was his final product.  Such a great ending to a great day!

It's been a blessing having you in our lives for the past 3 years and I pray that you are blessed with at least 33 more!

3 years old

Dearest Colton,

Tomorrow is our day to celebrate!  We get to celebrate another year of life and the anniversary of the coolest day ever! 

There is nothing we’d rather do than celebrate YOU! 

Because Jackson was our only experience at parenting, I had nothing else to compare to and made the assumption that raising you would mirror that.  I almost laughed out loud just typing that because my ignorance was humorous.  Your entrance into this world was foreshadowing at its finest and I should’ve realized it then.  You came on your own time, with power, curiosity, and a peacefulness that I will never forget.  To this today, that remains who you are.  You are strong both physically and in your thoughts and beliefs.  That was obvious when you lifted your own head during your AGPAR tests and has proven true time and time again when you want something or disagree with us. 

Your desire to discover the world around you is both endearing and worrisome.  You explore my makeup and love to apply “lipstick” (chapstick) all over your face (and sometimes on the carpet’s “face” as well).  You let almost nothing get in your way when you’re interested in something.  Just recently, I found you standing on top of a clothes hamper that you had turned upside down to use to reach the treat shelf in the pantry.  And the questioning never stops from you!  “Who live in that house?”  “Why those clouds move?”  “Where did the plane go?” …..

I know you so well that I could turn in a doctoral thesis entitled “THE Colton James” so I’ll try not to type forever.  But I want you to know that I get you.  If you’re reading this as a teenager and you’re even starting to think that I might not understand, just stop right there.  Although you look every bit like your daddy, but you are my hard-headed, sensitive-skinned, playful, morning person.  These commonalities are why we anger each other to tears but they also bring us back together with sweet hugs and kisses.  No matter what becomes of our strong personalities, please know that you are so loved.

Other things I want you to know about your 3-year-old self:  You are a people person and you converse like an adult when it’s time to leave.  You’re the last one waving goodbye to guests as you yell, “Be safe!” or “Thanks for visiting!”

You are a lover and aren't afraid to show affection to any of your family members.  We get so many cuddles, hugs, and kisses from you and they’re usually unprompted.  You’re often the initiator of a group hug and you will shout its announcement as you pull us towards you. 

You still suck your pointer finger but only when you’re getting sleepy.  You like to have a pillow pet and a blanket to sleep but you aren't attached to one in particular.  You still take an afternoon nap every day for about 1.5 – 2 hours and then fall asleep around 8:00 each night.  You are the first person in the house to wake up and you’re happy every morning!

You love to read books, sing songs, complete puzzles, and build with blocks.  You also love wrestling with Daddy and Jackson and you like to egg them on by asking, “Want to fight?”

The teacher in me notices an enthusiastic learner in you.  You can already count to 20 and you rarely turn down an opportunity for problem-solving.  Unfortunately, your interest in potty-training hasn't arrived yet L  You claim that you want to wear big boy underwear yet you refuse to use the potty and we threw away so many pairs of ruined underwear that we just went back to diapers. 

Last, but not least, you are a perfect brother for Jackson.  You respect his space yet want to do everything with him.  You two are best friends and the older you get the better your relationship seems to get. 

So, Happy 3^rd Birthday to you, Colt.  May it be a blessed year – and, as we sing every night – Jesus loves you and we do, too!