Groundhog (Birth)day

Around our house Groundhog Day means one thing, and it has nothing to do with winter or spring: Charlie's Birthday! Our former littlest one is now a big 3 year old. Big being a relative word... he is 6th percentile for both height and weight. That explains why people who are just meeting him are so impressed with his articulation - they think he's at least a year younger than he really is! He acts plenty tough, though - one of his favorite games is to play "get me" with Isaac and knock him down!

He is maturing... "helping" in the kitchen, getting himself dressed & undressed, several books memorized, and being able to wait while I'm busy with the baby. Of course, turning 3 in our family also means terrible tantrums and almost constant whining (just 'cuz he's waiting doesn't mean he's not complaining).

For a special treat (in addition to licking the spoon covered in brownie batter), Charlie got to spend 20 minutes or so with Mark at the "sfactory" riding the forklift.

I used the opportunity to take the other boys to the library, it was perfect.

After dinner (mostly provided by Grandma D - THANKS!) we had Charlie's party.

Though he can recite to 10 or higher, and recognize/name most numbers by sight, he doesn't get what they actually represent. Thus when asked to count his candles, he goes up to 5. He also believes he is 5. Five is his favorite number.Trucks are his favorite toys. He got a garbage truck and several construction vehicle toys along with Thomas underwear, new Sunday shoes, and a book. His brothers have happily commandeered the African elephants he received.

And here he is in his pajamas by the pellet stove. This picture was actually taken at the start of the day, but it is where he can be found at the end of each evening as well. And at midnight and 4 a.m. (he sneaks out of bed and I find him when up with David). If he's not asleep there in front of the fire, he is in that spot playing with his forklift (birthday present from Grandma G) or his firetruck or school bus (Christmas presents).

I meant to get a picture of him wearing one of Mark's hats. That's usually one of the funniest parts of the day: "stealing" Dad's hat, and sometimes boots too. Though his picky eating sometimes exasperates us, he still has enough cuteness up his sleeve to melt our hearts each day. Happy Birthday Charlie!