Let's pretend...

Little man doesn't like to play dress up... he doesn't seem to care about whether or not he's dressed to play the part in his pretend world.  Actually, Halloween is a nightmare. The past 2 years, he had zero interest in dressing up.  I don't really care.  I never really liked Halloween either to be honest...

For the most part, he still has to be prompted to play pretend. But more and more I see and hear about the times he initiates it on his own.  He prompted a picnic in the basement at the sitters.  Complete with silverware and pizza and tea.

Last night, he initiated 'movie night' where we sat on a 'couch' and watched a blank wall where not 1 but TWO movies were playing...one for him and one for me... I guess we could pick whatever we wanted.  We had invisible remote controls, even.  He narrated what was happening in the movie... and when he was thirsty, he 'paused' the movie, jumping up and saying "we need movie snacks". I asked him what he wanted and he exclaimed "I want orange juice, and you get tea."  (note: I do drink a lot of tea these days...) So we went down into the kitchen and gathered up our drinks and went back upstairs. He plopped down on the 'couch' (which was just his crib mattress that was on the floor) picked up the 'remote' and clicked the movie back on. Once in a while he'd pause it again, saying he's thirsty and he'd pick up his cup of OJ and tell me to drink my tea... He even said "we're having a tea party mommy...cheers"...I love when he toasts.  He'll do "cheers!" followed by "prost!" and "salud!" and sometimes, when he's with his Ayi..."gan bei!"and "kampai!" taking a small sip each time. (a little bit of East and West this one..)  The movie night went on for a short bit, until I was finished with my tea.

Last night he slept in a fort/tent at the end of my bed.  His imagination is growing. I love it.

Happy New Year!

I'm a bit late...12 days late.  But I'm always late. What can I say? Bad habits. I'm working on those though. Blogging just isn't as high up on the priority list. ;)

I can't remember if I said it last post or not but little man is potty trained! We still put him in a diaper at bedtime and naptime for those "just in case" moments, but during the day it's Thomas and Lightning McQueen undies! (and Star Wars...cuz his dad's a nerd like that.  I am too but I'm definitely on the boat of letting him determine his own kind of nerdiness)

I want to do that cute thing where you take pictures with the favorite things for the year.  But he's never interested in taking pictures.  Most of my pictures of him are candid, action shots.  

Here's where we're at today:

Favorite color: Orange

Favorite food: Mac and Cheese

Favorite place: The Beach

Favorite activity: Painting

Favorite book: How to Train a Train

We celebrated his 3rd birthday at Chuck E Cheese, which he now loves and expects to go there sometimes when I pick him up from the sitters.  Maybe I'll take him again soon...it certainly wipes him out.

Now that he's 3..he's come into his independence stage.  He would love to do everything himself, like...all the time.  Irritatingly, all the time. Inconveniently, all the time. For the most part, he's well behaved and isn't a beast.  But when he gets in the mood...he's very headstrong. Great quality for adulthood, not so fun for me right now.  I pray to get through it without losing patience. I'm learning.  Every day I'm learning.

I have to go.  Mediation with the lawyer to discuss custody agreements.  Wish me luck.

Some time soon I'll update on little man's first cruise!!! That was soo fun.