hooray for choosing my own clothes!Hmm. Where to start? Here's an update on Evelyn and what she's up to. She's about to turn 4, but she reminds us that she loves being 3 and "I'm good at being 3!" Some things that she enjoys are cats, dancing, learning how to read and playing with her "guys" (aka-stuffed animals). Her favorite "guys" these days are Breeba (a large, purple My Little Pony), Moosa (a white kitty) and Little Lamb (a stuffed sheep, as you may have guessed). She's also a good helper--when she wants to be--and likes doing things for Edison, like finding and giving him his blankie when he's sad.
watching the rainThese days she keeps asking for a pet cat. I keep hoping that the requests will die down, but there aren't any signs yet that she'll change her mind. Maybe I shouldn't be so anti-pet, but I just have no desire to have and take care of a cat. Perhaps Evelyn will wear me down at some point, but not right now. She's being pacified a little bit by having a cat-themed birthday party in a couple of weeks, so I'm trying to come up with some good cat related games, making cat shaped brownies and cat ears for all of the party crowd to wear during the party. Oh, and perhaps you can guess what Evelyn's going to be for Halloween....
copying Edison's peek-a-boo; the big bandage on her head is from when she ran into the wall and split her head open (which healed on its own w/o stitches)Evelyn is doing well learning how to read. She's venturing out on her own a bit more and trying to read words here and there, like at the grocery store or looking at food labels during lunch. And speaking of venturing out, she's starting to "come out of her shell." She has always been pretty shy around new people, but in the past few weeks she's played with new kids at the park, talked to someone at the post office ("Can I tell him the name of my sheep?"), and told a librarian about the new movie she was checking out, while dancing around with excitement.
finger painting, but not too sure about itThe other day she said something that just made me laugh. A few weeks ago we talked about acorns in preschool, and while we were out getting the mail the ground under a tree was covered with acorns. Here was our conversation:
Marie: What do acorns grow up to be?
Evelyn: Trees. I wish I was a tree.
Marie: Why do you wish you were a tree?
Evelyn: 'Cause then I wouldn't have to eat the dinners you make.
Gee, thanks. At least I know she was listening in preschool. :P
He gets so proud of himself when he does something new, like taking more steps or the other day when he got some of his sandwich on a fork and to his mouth.
Some of his favorite things are doors, light switches, trying to grab the window blinds before Mom raises them out of reach, his blankie (he looks so cute when he snuggles with it), throwing things (usually food and cups, but sometimes balls) and climbing. 
I can only imagine what he'll be climbing on in the upcoming weeks and months, but so far he loves climbing on Evelyn's small table and chairs in their room, the couch and chairs in the living room and stairs. Since we live in an apartment, there aren't any stairs inside, but any time he sees the front door open he races as fast as he can to try to get out the door and up the stairs outside. The other day he practically jumped off the couch to get outside. He also tries to walk up the stairs sometimes, which is a little interesting with his short little legs and so-so balance. :)
In the past month or two his language has really taken off. He probably has between 15 and 20 words, such as door, ball, bath, uh-oh, bye-bye, stuck and help. Of course the words come out at varying degrees of clarity, but it sure helps that he's learning how to communicate with more than just yelling/screaming. 
One of the things I love best about this little boy is his smile. I think it will save him in the future when he gets into things and then flashes his dimpled grin, but it sure melts my heart when he gives me that big toothy smile.
