The Wilsons: Eric is 3!!

Wow, we have made it 3 years with Eric. It does go fast. But what a great time we are having. It is amazing to me to see his growth and development. He is now 28 lbs and 36 1/2 inches tall. Compared to other 3 year olds, he looks pretty small. He is moving out of taking naps (too bad for me), eating more, having much more of an opinion about all he does, eats, wears, who he plays with, etc. He loves to play with his best buddies Noah and Logan. We have at least two play dates per week with each of them. He loves going to gymnastics once a week and his preschool on Fridays. He enjoys the museums and libraries that we visit. He loves to build all kinds of things with his blocks. He loves Firemen, fire trucks, cranes, construction or worker vehicles and men. He likes dinosaurs, his Teddy Bear, race cars, cuddling with his Dad on the couch, playing outside in the snow, rain, or sunshine. He loves "I spy" books. He loves playing games with us. His vocabulary is pretty advanced. Many people comment to me on how well he speaks. He is learning how to be a good brother to Rubie and a good helper to Mom. He loves to help me cook and always wants to do the cutting. He is learning to play some computer games. He is also learning his letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. I wish he was interested in potty-training. He is starting to draw and describe what he is drawing. He loves stickers of his favorite Disney characters. He has lots of energy, creativity, and curiosity. He is so much fun and we love our Eric.

On Eric's birthday, Saturday 2 January 2010, Scott, Eric, Rubie, and I went to the Children's Discovery Museum at the Gateway. We first went to get lunch in the food court and the kids were more interested in playing on the big Clifford and Rocket than they were in eating their lunch. Then we went to the Museum and spent 3-4 hours there playing. Eric probably could have stayed there longer, but Rubie was ready to be done. I was amazed at the things they have set up for kids to explore and play. Both Eric and Rubie loved the Kid's Eye View area. It is a miniature world where the kids can experience life through play. There is a construction site, home, gas station, grocery store, farm, post office with mailboxes everywhere, water play area, and an area for smaller kids like Rubie's age. They also loved the building and more discovery-science area upstairs. And Eric really loved the real life Life Flight Helicopter out on the Terrace. After playing at the museum we found Eric a treat to put a candle in, he got to open some presents and blow out the candle.

Eric in the "Red Big Dog" Clifford.

Rubie enjoying Clifford.

Eating our lunch. The kids got a special treat with a Kids-Meal.

Eric and Rubie ready for lift-off.

This area is called The Garden. It is like a giant beehive. The kids put the little balls in these tubes and they are sucked to different places in the hive.

Eric is trying to figure out where the ball is going.

Rubie thought it was easier just to climb into the trough to get to the balls.

It didn't take her long to figure out to put the balls in the holes.

Rubie loved the little house. The kitchen was well stocked. Kids were constantly taking food in and out going back and forth to the grocery store.

Eric was in heaven at the construction site. He spent a good amount of time there.

The hard hat is a must on a construction site.

At the gas station trying to figure out the pump.

Filling the jeep so he and Rubie can take a ride.

Rubie wants to drive the jeep first.

Eric found a little truck to drive around.

The grocery store where Eric found some apples that he running away with before buying them.

He carries them in the back of his little truck and speeds away.

Now Rubie wants to try the truck.

The water play area.

Back to the construction site. This time he also found an orange vest. He is a real worker.

Piling the crane with blocks.

Shoving blocks down the pipe.

Moving other blocks to the crane.

Making dinner in a tot sized kitchen.

Having a ride in the little truck by another kid.

Manning the police car.

Rubie on the police radio.

In the story factory, Eric found a costume and a rain stick.

Blocks!! Eric built a tall tower with some other kids, but another kid knocked it down.

Playing with magnetic sticks.

In the Life-Flight Helicopter on the Terrace.

It is a real helicopter.

Riding the horse at the farm.

The birthday candle in a Kodiak Bear Cookie. We tried to find a cupcake but there are none at the Gateway.

We sang "Happy Birthday" and he blew out the candle.

He tore open his gifts.

He got a Monster Truck Birthday Card.

More train tracks so we can build bigger loops.

A monster truck and train tracks.

Eric is very pleased with his gifts and can't wait to play with them.

On Sunday, 3 January 2010 was Wilson Family FHE at our home. We got Eric a monster truck birthday cake so the family could sing Happy Birthday to him.

Eric loved the cake and the little Monster Truck that came with it. The best was Eric's reaction when the candles were lit and we were singing Happy Birthday. He was so excited that he was clapping and laughing and squealing. It made it so fun for everyone.

A few weeks later, on the 4th Sunday of the month, we met at Joe and Tai's apartment for the Jeppson FHE and we celebrated Eric's birthday again. Grandma Jeppson had some fun things planned for Eric. She started off with a Bob the Builder birthday card. Then for his gifts Grandma had written some clues down. Eric was to find his gifts by figuring out the clues--a treasure hunt.