Letter to William:

I know this is your blog- your baby book ascribed through your parents eyes, but I have to report something:

It's an acknowledgement of you as a person. I think you came online some time between your third and fourth year and you have developed an awareness as an "I" some time in this year. I know I did at this time. I have my firs memories of going on a big trip with my grandparents at that time.

So, it's fair and true that I start addressing these posts to YOU because I know it will become less and less about the William through my eyes and how I see you and more and more about your own experiences.

In the last few nights you have been deciding how you will go to sleep. Your Dad and I recently remarked on this. You have decided how and when you will go to sleep after reading time.

No longer are you interested in just letting us drift off with you. You have expressly asked us to leave or to sleep on the floor so you can have your own space.

I am amazed, always, at you. Not only are you a charming and adroit individual, now you are defining your limits.

Your Dad and I were blown away by your temperance initially when you decided, all on your own, that you didn't need your pacifier any longer at 3. We were prepared for an entire dance of give and take when we started talking about "big boys" and how they didn't need "mamas." In the space of a night you decided you didn't want your pacifier and gave it up. No muss, no fuss. It wasn't needed.

I don't wish to embarrass you, but you were the same about potty training. There were some minor anxieties due to the fact that you couldn't (with your small hands and large doorknobs) work the bedroom door in time with your bladder.. but those accidents were in the span of months. You've never had a potty accident since you've decided to become potty trained. Your Dad and I are amazed.

We are not only amazed at your resolve, but the EASE of your resolve, the way you've decided to make a change to your personhood and then gone on and done it.

I don't like to count chickens... but I hope this speaks to a part of your essential character, not only that you can easily resolve to change, but that the change in and of itself, happens without fanfare and just IS. The person who can make that kind of change is a rare individual (to me) indeed.

I hope you can continue to exercise this internal strength you demonstrate, this zen-like appreciation/love/letting go and moving on from the things that bring you comfort. Nothing more demonstrates to me (your ma), that you are secure in yourself and that is my greatest desire for you as a person.

I love you, William. And I speak for your Dad, we love you, my darling. Happy Christmas and happy fourth year.

Updates!

It's been too long!

Will has been moving and grooving.

He's speaking in complete sentences now, the grammar is improving and he's adding little colloquialisms that turn the cute up past eleven.

He tries new foods.

He makes up songs.

We've been hither and yon all around the place.We returned to the Children's Museum where Will dressed up as a fireman.

We went to the Tesoro Cultural Center for "Pioneer Days." Will threw a hatchet.

And got his face painted. He was from the Bear Clan.

We played with the giant cannon.

We did a little dancing.

Papa came for a visit and we went to the Dragon Boat races (we completely underestimated the crowds. WOW) and then ate sandwiches and played pop a shot.

We took a vacation for a night! And lounged by the pool.

We had a couple of play dates with Will's friends. 

Don't they look like a Benetton ad?

We went to the Englewood Halloween Carnival again. Will wanted to wear his "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" costume this year.

Dave got Will a big box of Legos. Will became a robot.

Will got a big boy bed!

We took a trip to Golden Gate Canyon State Park with the dogs. Dave threw snowballs for Tony. 

Rocky did a lot of sniffing. And Will went on a quest.

Will has discovered "battling." There are a LOT of "hiyas!"

And "Action!" and "Power!" and "you can't get me!"

Daddy's a better battler than me. Which is fine with me!

And we went ice skating yesterday. I felt like I was going to break, but Dave got the hang of it and Will loved it. They put buckets out for the beginner skaters to hold onto. Will noodled around and only fell a couple of times.

Holiday season coming up soon! We are not traveling this year (thank god), and will stay home and stuff ourselves sick with turkey and trimmings. :)

June and July

I always seem to post that "big changes are happening!" Because they sort of always are. We don't see them as speedbumps- things that disrupt our forward momentum, but they are occasion to record. They happen smoothly, but the way I've updated this blog it seems as if I manage to collect them and *announce* them.

Dave turned 40! He wanted a rocket ship, but instead I got him some "mid-life crisis*" jeans and a New York Strip. Oh well, D, maybe when you turn 80! (*tailored, non-Levis jeans for once).

Will is a great "swimmer!" He passed his class with flying colors and is always eager to take a bath and demonstrate his new skills. These include: kicking, "floating" on his back, blowing bubbles and pouring water all over the toilet seat. He will start the next level of lessons "Seahorse," next week.

Dave and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary. I KNOW, weird, right? We rented a babysitter and moseyed down to Steakhouse 10, exchanged gifts and smooches and the very rare Adult Parent exchange. 

We almost didn't know what to do with ourselves.

We all went to a Rockies game. I think Will is a smidge too young. He wanted to play on the play structure and was a little disappointed that he couldn't actually participate in the game himself.

Will has been watching a "reading" kids show called "Super Why." He loves it and we love it. It's
"educational" and thank god anything but Diego. The characters all wear capes. So I made will a cape and a mask. This has helped birth Will's superhero persona: Stickyman. Stickyman climbs up anything. No broken bones yet.

I took Will on an overnight trip to visit my friend Jeanne and her family. They are spending the summer in North Fork, which is high in the Rockies. I think the transfer from my old phone to the email and upload did something odd to the color. It is much, much more saturated and green than it looks in these pictures. 

This was Will's favorite activity.

Stickyman plays with a stick.

We went out in the little boat.

Will enjoyed rolling the pool balls around into their pockets.

We rode our bikes to Pioneer Park for an Olde Timey Pioneer Celebration. Will tried to roll the hoops.

We rode in a stagecoach (second time I've gotten him close to horses).

And Will dosey-do-ed.

We went to the zoo. Will was not as amazed by the nearness of the tiger as we were.

Dave took Will to ProBass Sport Shop. Will found his favorite activity. Which of course, must be accomplished while wearing goggles.

There have been water parks aplenty.

Happy Mother's Day!

It was an absolutely glorious, beautiful day outside. I celebrated Mother's Day by sleeping in late (w00t!, 7:35, baby!), going to breakfast with the fam, and gardening. Overall a fantastic day. Oh, and Dave put Will to bed. Dave did all of the duty and I got to enjoy the fun!

Over the past couple of months, we have gone bowling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcSZl09a9KE

Gone to another, awesome birthday party. Will got to fly!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGPNDPsiQbs&feature=youtu.be

 

 

 

 

Started soccer.

Gone out to eat. A lot.

Gone to the dentist (good boy, Will!)

And started our garden.

I have more photos and videos, but for some reason, I can't find them on my computer. I will upload them later.

Routine

Will has entered his third year. We started with a big birthday party at an indoor play place called Lollipop Park. We invited a bunch of Will's friends from daycare. Will was terribly excited to play with "his Micah, his Kingsley, his Garrett and his Nathan." They all rode the rides together- teacups, the whip, the Ferris Wheel and the little train. They also went in the bounce house together and afterward all ate cake and pizza. I went a little overboard and ordered some amazing birthday card invites from my friend who is a graphic designer.

I loved the results!

 

Will was still obsessed with Diego, so we got him a Diego and Dora cake.

Will and Dave and I all had a great time at his birthday. For me, it was awesome to see Will interacting with all of his friends from daycare, and it was also great to meet and hang out with all of Will's friends parents. 

Other than the birthday, we've been doing "regular" weekend stuff. 

One day we took a trip to Pike's Peak and rode the cog wheel train.

We met with Micah and Micah's parents for a playdate at an indoor play place called "Li'l Monkey Bizness" 

We fed the ducks at the park.

We went to the Museum of Nature and Science to see the Mammoth Exhibit. I fed Will to the Smilodon.

Will stood next to a short-faced bear.

 

*I* stood next to a short faced bear.  That thing was HUGE.

Daddy took Will to a boat show. Sidenote: if you haven't noticed yet, Will loves to "drive" things. LOVES.

And Daddy took will some other places where he could "drive things."

 

 

And we had a Chuckee Cheese playdate with Micah. Where Will drove more "things," this time with "Mommy Monster" chasing him.

We've also been back to the trampoline park. Will still loves the balls. This time we were able to get him inside an inflatable hamster ball. He had a blast with that. 

 

I have still been unable to get Will on a live pony. But he loves to ride the one at the grocery store. He prefers to ride whilst holding a balloon beneath  the cigarette signs.

Will continues to learn his letters and numbers. He knows they go in a line and he often lines them up by color.

Omi gifted Will with a pair of roller skates for Valentine's Day. As with anything with wheels, Will loves them. He wears his Diego helmet as often as he can, for batting practice, for baths, for running around nakie and for couch jumping. Here he is skating across the kitchen floor.

Will likes to drink tea with us. 

 

We went to Denver's St. Patrick's Day parade. Will was a little under-dressed and a little overwhelmed by the noise.

Every weekend morning, Will wakes up early and is brought up by one of us, or finds his way up by himself. We have morning "sleepy" time. Which is neither sleepy, nor any amount of time. But we have fun anyway. I can't think of a better way to wake up.

We often go to a bookstore on the weekends. Bookstores have trainsets and whatnot in the children's area.

Dave takes Will to the park twice a week after school. Will rides the tire swing.

Will likes to watch TV with his "friends."

 Will started talking about a "black scooter." So Dave bought him one. Will's actually pretty good!

Will had his second dental visit, very first dental "cleaning" last week. He was a great patient. We were so proud of him!

Organized, big-boy soccer starts next week. Orange slices and shin guards for everyone!