the big brother

It's really easy to write post after post of Lady-LE. There are simply so many "new" things she is doing that are fun and exciting AND she holds still long enough for a picture. But. L does a ton of "new" things too these days (mostly related to new words/phrases/sentences) and I wanted to document a few.

{I REALLY want to edit this and lighten it up! Grrr ...}

{About Food}

-very particular about his PB&J's. So particular in fact, that he won't eat them ANYwhere except at home. It's that homemade jam goodness that he's fond of. (Quite the jam-snob)

-recently learned to drink the milk from his cereal bowl and thinks it's the coolest thing in the world
-obsessed with "Daddy Cereal" which is Quaker's Oatmeal Squares with a Hint of Brown Sugar. Try it. You'll love it.
-hates ice cream
-When asked what he wants to drink he says, "Cup of juice. After cup of juice, cup of milk. After cup of milk, cup of water." And he will hold me to that exact order.
-would eat yogurt, cantaloupe, fruit snacks, and graham crackers all day long if possible

{About Talking}

-has full conversations with himself: "apple juice or milk. Which would you like? Milk? Yes!"   "play a few more minutes? Ahh ... I don't think so. Please? Yes!"  

-needs to talk on the phone every time it rings because it's usually Daddy calling to say hi
-started saying "No thank you" on his own
-is really good at using pronouns for his age

-loves to help mommy say prayers (as in he says it first and I repeat him) - and says the most darling prayers in the world.

-his first prayer all by himself went like this: "Heavenly Father, we thank thee for Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Totally made me cry.

-Came up to me today and said, "I miss Daddy and that makes me sad." {we're working on using words like sad and mad instead of throwing tantrums} Broke my heart!

-Honestly is talking so well and I am constantly amazed at the sentences that he throws together. Using a lot more clarity in his words too.

{Totally Random}

-favorite letters are M, W, and A. He can recognize every letter in the alphabet without having them in order. Still working on numbers.

-hates to share

-loves to 'play football' while we watch a game. This consists of standing in a ready position, and once the play begins, he does this shuffle/stutter step while turning in circles, then throws up whatever he's holding (typically his bear) and falls down when he catches it. Pretty sure that's how the pros do it too.
-still takes and honestly needs one nap a day
-completely not potty-trained. It's not looking too close in our future either.
-loves animals - all kinds
-carries his trains around in one of my casual purses everywhere.
-loves to read books

He is such a darling big brother. Very possessive of Lady-L, and tries to defend her already when he sees other kids getting close to her. Yesterday in the car she was crying pretty hard on our way home from playing, and he kept saying "It's okay Lady-L (although her real name), we're almost home. We're almost home." It was sweet and tender and melted my heart. I'm pretty sure my heart melts on a daily basis with these two kids. What a beautiful life I have!

I love this boy!