Big Birthday Boy Beckett

Three!! Whee!!

Where has the time gone?

You are still hysterically funny and full of mischief. You always have a twinkle in your eyes and a little smirk when you are entertaining by telling stories or jokes. You got what I call the Robinson "full of bull" gene - just like with your Dad I have to remember that you are constantly trying to pull a fast one and everything is a joke.

One of the best things about you is the loud "ANHHH!" you say after something is supposed to be funny. The whole family does it now, often in chorus.

Right now you love motorcycles, dressing up, destroying things, jumping, karate kicking, climbing and terrorizing your big brother. (Sometimes you guys play nice together - when you do it melts my heart.) You are physically SO strong for your age and I marvel at your agility and co-ordination. You have spent you whole life keeping up with your brother and we sometimes forget how young you are because you have been so physically capable for such a long time.

You haven't used a stroller in over a year - at least. You walk everywhere. You never wanted to sit in a high chair, always at the table in a chair like everyone else. Always being a big boy and stating "I'll do it myself!"

When you are in the mood for reading books, one will not do. You want "wots-an-wots" of them. You're not really interested in the story most of the time. You want to talk about what else could be going on - frequently pointing out details in the pictures that aren't even part of the story that you want to ask about or comment on.

You love fiercely - literally. As in: when you are hugging us you start to grit your teeth and mash you face or forehead into the other person. Yet, you are so gentle and kind with other kids and babies.

As I am writing this it is supposed to be your "nap-time" and you are crashing around in your room. I hear you say "pkew, pshew" like you are shooting something and then you boom a deep, maniacal "HA! HA! HA!" and then I hear one of your little chairs smash to the ground. Who knows WHAT is going on in that room? Not quiet time, that's for sure!

You are usually pretty good about taking naps - but you seem to never want to go to sleep in the evening anymore and you are ALWAYS the first one awake in the morning. You tip toe out of your room and down the stairs to wake up your poor, sleepy brother every morning. If we can catch you before you get to him - he sleeps until 7am like normal people.

When you ARE sleeping, you cradle your little hippo under your arm and lay on a pile of stuffed animals with your baby ham-hocks resting on top of them. You love to sit rightbeside me in the morning and watch cartoons while I have my coffee. We often share the big chair and we like to sit sideways with our legs up on the arm rest, or you cross your legs stretched out on the ottoman just like me and you are so cute and charming. You also love to lay on your Dad and watch him channel surf for race cars or Myth Busters, or skydivers etc...on weekend afternoons.

Days are like this: cartwheels and firecrackers all over the place punctuated with a few moments of peace and tenderness. I often say that it seems like we live with little wild animals, and I wouldn't have it any other way. You are adventure, chaos, love, humour and joy - really your personality is far too much for me to properly describe with words anymore.

Happy Birthday, Beckett. We love you like a fat kid loves cake - ANHHHH!

ADVENT-tures 2009, Day 5

Oh Christmas Tree.

Troy and Ethan went to the usual spot to pick up our tree (Braefoot Lacrosse box). Then we proceeded to "dec-RATE CRIT-ah-mus tree" according to Becks.

After we were all finished - Troy took Beckett to Canadian tire to pick up some cords for the lights outside and they bought candy canes to put on the tree. He really enjoyed this trip to fetch the candy canes and has re-told the tale several times.

I also wanted to note that he continued the trend of hanging several canes on one branch that he started at Auntie Tracy's. I guess it makes keeping track of inventory easier.

ADVENT-tures 2009, Day 4

Today we took our trip to Mayfair to visit with Santa. We have been priming Becks with walk-bys and waves - but when it came time to sit on his lap he was not having any of it.

Ethan was all smiles and chatter - of course!

This year's Santa photo has me standing beside Santa holding Beckett. He is white knuckling my jacket and not impressed about the fat man in the red suit behind his back that *MIGHT* attack him at any moment (this is my interpretation of Beckett's expression).

Maybe next year...

ADVENT-tures 2009, Day 3

Letter to Santa - only Ethan did this one while it was Beckett's nap time. Ethan dictated all of his wishes to me and the list was WAY shorter than I thought it was going to be. Every commercial, trip to the store, or flyer he looks at causes him to request any item he sees.

The picture on the back of the letter is a snowman holding a balloon in case you couldn't tell because I can't get it to not be sideways on this post for some reason.

ADVENT-tures 2009, Day 2

Two little Christmas stories to read each day before bed until Santa comes.

Curious George Christmas Countdown - Ethan has already noticed that George's count down is considerably smaller than ours with only six days...

Beckett's book is called, A Christmas Present for ME! and the book opens from within a little box that doubles as the cover.

ADVENT-tures 2009

Its like the same stuff regurgitated from last year - except with bigger kids - and pictures added for your viewing pleasure.

All joking aside - I had so much fun with this last year that I thought I would do it again. Ethan currently thinks that Santa puts the hints and activities in the boxes which is cute. Beckett much prefers his calendar that actually produces chocolate - not little bits of paper.

So, Day 1 - the standard Christmas PJ's for December bedtime fun.

Ethan is diggin' his jammies which is kind of funny as for the last several months he would only wear PJ pants or joggers and one of his regular t-shirts to bed.

Beckett was thrilled to open the jammies - but is WAY to cool to actually wear them to bed. He prefers his racecar or motorcycle PJ's.

Pre-Advent Adventures

Looking back on last year - I see that we spent our last day of November 2008 with Auntie Tracy too!

What a hoot! We were invited over to Auntie Tracy and Uncle Andrew's house for some festive Christmas fun. Sofia and Maizie and Auntie Alicia AND Mormor and Papa Chris were there too.

There was Christmas tree trimming, cookie making and decorating, jumping on the bed (for some of us) and great snacks to eat. I was really impressed by Beckett and Sofia's patience while they sat nicely waiting for the first batch of cookies to bake. I was also surprised to learn that a dust buster is the most fabulous thing going for the toddler/preschool set - hot holiday tip for 2009!

So brave and great to have us all over - thanks, we had so much fun. Beckett is still going on about "dec-RATE Auntie Tracy's house?"

Maizie's fist pump obviously says, "You ROCK!".