Life with a dictator

Little dude looks sweet and cute right??

He is a dictator.

He declares what he wants and expects his wishes to be obeyed forthwith.  Heaven help whom ever does not understand what he is saying. Because he knows exactly what he is saying.

Inspector Gadget! NOW.  Paw Patrol! STAT!

There are a lot of sayings about terrible 2's but 3's are really hard.  They know what they want, they can communicate it somewhat, and they are more determined so you can't try and distract them with something really cool (well you can-- and they may even humor you- but they will be back for what they initially wanted).

Three year olds can run the house if you let them.  Sometimes that is all that keeps my sanity--- LittleDude wants Chuggers?! Fine! He gets Chuggers.. Learn picking battles is half of being a parent.  I frequently tell the bigger kids to just give him what he wants so he will stop holding the house hostage with screams.

Logically- I know that 3 years is a huge developmental time and he is beginning to see the world does not revolve around him.  He is learning that wants do not always equal needs. Which can be a hard pill for a three year old to swallow.

Odyssey to CVS

This morning I realized to my dismay I was out of my caffeinated beverage of choice - don't judge I have 5 kids- caffeine is oxygen.

Technically I am not supposed to drive yet. Not that I follow the rules all the time but I was trying to be good. So I decided to walk. With three kids. I may as well have walked with three 50 lb dumbbells.


I have a double stroller front to back- LittleDude as the littlest and least likely to follow directions sits in the front belted in.  Leaving Peas and Pixie off. Which is kind of like musical chairs while the chairs are moving with lots of legs-- and feet to trip on-- and a bumpy sidewalk.

When Pixie is 'sitting' term used very loosely she is usually practicing her gymnastics Kips on the push bar of the stroller.  Until she sees a dandelion then she does an epic dismount and scrambles for the flower. In which time Peas takes her seat.  Commence battle.

Now both of them are 'helping' me push (helping used loosely). Side note- at this point we have managed to get down the driveway. That is 6 feet and 6 hands pushing a stroller- it doesn't work.

Cue the robin.  Now we must look at the robin an attempt to catch it.  The robin being native to the suburbs and quiet enjoying the game of child torment allows the kids to get with in feet of it before alighting to the nearest tree singing its song teasing the girls.

LittleDude has decided to try and climb out of the stroller- because he can't be left out- and squirrels.

Peas found a broken fence board and decided it was her broad sword (what the heck is she watching or reading) and encountered a cyclops (where the hell did she find out about those?) which had to be battled... dear lord a cyclops and we hadn't even made it off the block yet... what other monsters would we encounter (please no cannibals)? Side note-- get rid of Greek tragedies and epics.

We did reach CVS and got my dear dear caffeine and chocolate milk.

Walking along the road with musical seats and gymnastics, the arbor where we turn down the road- seemed to get further and further away... like the carrot that is dangled in front of an unsuspecting rabbit.

On the way home we faced the scary spider (antlers that have been next to a house for 5 years and have been a 'spider' for 5 years).

We also were challenged by a Hydra (no I did not inform her that she was mixing monsters)--- the hydra was felled and we made it home in one piece with dandelion crowns and broad swords. 

Just Joy

Little Dude is an extremely happy boy (except of course when he is unhappy, the look out world).

Today I was just thinking about how genuinely joyful he is and how much I have learned from his contagious joy.

A few weeks ago we went to an indoor water park and I have never seen anyone so excited.  His whole body literally trembled with glee.  When I would get ready to put him down his little legs were already running.  When he smiles his whole body smiles.  Like pure happiness just exudes from him.  He claps, jumps, and squeals as happiness just cannot be contained in his body anymore.

Even everyday things he finds so much to be happy about, playing with his cars, building a tower and knocking it over.. nothing is to mundane.  Whenever music is on he is dancing.  He has quite a set of moves!  His imagination is limitless he puts on capes and flies around the house with lightening speed.  LittleDude does not really walk places.  He runs. And jumps.  If there is a puddle he must jump in it.  If there is a something that looks intriguing it must be explored. Balls are thrown, furniture (and everything climbed) the world is an adventure.  I wonder what goes through his head. 

LittleDude will grab my hand and pull me to something he wants to show me.  He will run and jump into my arms with total faith that I will catch him.  Then throw his body onto me in a hug that can melt anyone, squeezing with his arms around me.  These greetings do not happen after I have been away for days, hours, or even minutes.  It could be he was just happy to see me in the living room.
When I sit down on the floor he often runs and grabs a story and then backs into my lap (really the backing into my lap to sit is the most adorable thing ever) and we read. 

When he wants to breastfeed (yes, at nearly 2 years old he nurses), he'll grab my hand and lead me to our spot for some cuddles and milk.  He'll hug me and play with my hair, gazing into my eyes while we just can soak up the moment. Until he decides to be silly and playfully bite or pull my hair (all in good fun).

Outside is always fun.  When the big kids start suiting up to go play in the snow he follows suit.  He knows his snow pants and how to put them on, he waits patiently for his boots (which he finds and brings over), coat, and mittens.  But he puts his hat on himself.  That is one way he tells you he is ready to go outside: he goes to the door and puts on his hat.

LittleDude loves animals.  You may think with so many of them being so much larger than he is he may be scared, but he isn't he loves the dogs and gives them treats and pets.  They return his adoration.  The cats tolerate him. Going to see the horses is super fun.  He loves to brush them, give them treats, and ride.  The horses also are so gentle with  him  it is shocking. When they gently take a carrot from him and he squeals with excitement, often he is met with a nicker of affection.

At night he sleeps with me.  We go to bed and he snuggles in for some milky, and adjusts a bit to get comfortable.  Usually he'll end up half on top of my chest with his ear on my heart and his fingers in my hair. I can smell his unique scent and drink the time in.  I complain a lot about this sometimes, but truth of it is, I love the closeness with him.  I love watching him smile in his sleep, his eyes dance with dreams.  I love being there if he wakes up scared so I can comfort him. 

All of this joy and happiness have taught me to see the miracles in the small things.  Feel the joy in the smallest things.  Allowing myself to get super excited and not feel embarrassed about it.  To take more time to experience life instead of racing through it.