Bigger Boy

We frequently hear from this boy that he doesn't want to follow our instruction because "I a bigger boy now."  I guess that's what comes with the territory.  He had a birthday this month and is all of three now!  He has all the independence that comes with a three year old and more...when it comes to asserting his will.  But some of the little things like self-care he still enjoys to hang back and be served by mom. 

 

We've started working on potty training (which I always dread).  I was an over-achiever with the first two and started them at 18-24 months.  After all the headaches, messes and stress that it caused me, I decided to wait with Natalie until she actually turned three.  It worked a little more smoothly.  I'm just hoping that Craig changes his "want to" and decides to be a Bigger Boy all the way.

Anything that opens/closes, knobs that push, levers that pull-they are all an attraction to our boy.

This Fall I started a campfire in the back part of our yard.  The kids were so excited.  Not many marshmallows actually got roasted as this little guy was popping one after another in his mouth before we even finished our hot dogs.

Chubby Bunny

World's Strongest Boy Contest:  The Brick Roll

Craig loves to climb in, on or around things.  He was a little apprehensive about climbing all the way up to the top of the 10ft ladder when I was cleaning the spotlights and moose, but he eventually got to the top and was so proud of himself.  His balance is amazing for his age and I don't have to worry much worry him falling.  We see his dad's genetic strength starting to show.  He does a somersault into a bridge.  (If you know wrestling, you know what I mean.)  Dad's proud. 


Climbing the Ladder of Greatness

This kid has some of the cutest faces sometimes.  I wish that I'd caught some of his schmoozers on my camera, but so far he only hands those out when he's trying to get something from mom.

He's also a big snuggler in the morning.  He's up like clock work at 7AM and comes stumbling into my room with those sleepy eyes usually asking for breakfast.   Sometimes he eats two breakfasts-one when he gets up and another with the rest of us at 8AM. 

Craig is just now getting to the place that he will allow his teeth to be brushed without a screaming fit.  I don't know what caused his dislike of getting his teeth brushed, but he'd scream every time and hold his mouth shut until...well you get the idea.  He needed a little incentive to open his mouth.  Now, it's easier, but sometimes he still needs a little convincing.

Double Fisted Teeth-brushing

I have had fun doing some preschool things with Natalie this fall and Craig always jumps in and wants to participate too.  It's interesting what he picks up.  He's learning his colors well and can count to 10.  He is just a joy.  He wears me out sometimes with wanting to cling like a monkey, but I wouldn't trade all his boyishness for anything. 

We love you Craig and will be there all the way as you grow into a BIGGER BOY!

It's About Time...

My husband has been bugging me about getting a "family" post on here so here are a few pictures of life since August.  

Natalie and Craig checked out the "digger" at the school one day.  Craig is facinated with all things mechanical and would love to have had a ride.

We didn't get out to pick blueberries this year.  Because we had such a cold summer the blueberries were weeks behind and we weren't able to coordinate the 60-90 mile trip to pick berries with a hunting trip.  We are out for the year which is a bummer because we all love our blueberry pancakes.  Instead we picked some lowbush cranberries.  Heidi and Jessica even got a chance to earn some money picking some for a local dear friend of ours. 

Hunting this fall has been all of frustrating.  Tim went out moose hunting on three different attempts but was met with roadblocks each time.  He's also been out caribou hunting a handful of times with no success.  From medical problems to boat accidents to frustration from other hunters it just wasn't meant to be.  Hunting in Alaska has taken a different shape in the past 10 years.  (But that's a whole other blog post)  Thankfully three different people shared their caribou harvest with us and we were able to get some burger.  The kids always love to watch the "snakes" of burger come out of the grinder as we grind the meat.  They all pitch in with the packaging too.  This year Jessica enjoyed labeling all the packages while Craig got his hands dirty filling bags.

You never know how you'll see Jess coming toward you these days.  She does cartwheels everywhere!  She does a cartwheel from the floor up onto her bed.  I think she may have even tried them going down the stairs.  She would love being in a gymnastics program, but unfortunately we just don't live in the right environment for that.

Jess and her dad went caribou hunting this fall.  This was a promise fulfilled from a year ago.  Jessie still remembers back to the time when Tim took Heidi and her hunting while I took Natalie to Seattle to have her G-tube removed in 2009.  They got a moose and a bear.  It must have made Jessica a forever hunter.  Last Fall, Tim had said something about taking Jess caribou hunting.  It didn't happen.  So this Fall, Tim took her.  It was an unsuccessful day but hopefully good for Father/Daughter bonding.

Our camping this year wasn't very remote.  We had a campfire in our back yard and camped a couple of nights at Grandpa's farm while baling hay this summer.  The kids love a campfire and as Heidi says, "Campfire popcorn is the best!"

Both girls are playing Little Dribblers basketball again this year.  Jess loves it.  Her size might be small, but she is a very good defenseman and loves to steal the ball.



Jess has finally gotten her top front teeth.  She went toothless for about 8 months because she just had to get those wiggly teeth out last winter.  It gives her a new look as a second grader.