The Holiday Season (2020 Version) and Turning THREE!

 My Dearest Evan,

You're so super talkative right now. You're always talking to one of us or to Chase from Paw Patrol or anyone who will listen, really! You're also very mischievous in that you test your boundaries any chance you get and you love upsetting your sister. In the end, though, you actually do like sharing and playing with her. I think you like the attention that being ornery brings.

You were Batman for Halloween but you didn't like it because the costume had sleeves and long pants. So we let you wear your short-sleeved Superman shirt with the removable cape instead and you much preferred that. Instead of trick-or-treating, we did a Halloween party at home. We did some cookie decorating, got some toy packages from the local toy store and your cousins Emma and William, trick-or-treated inside the house (dad was on one side of the house and I was on the other side and you and Avery ran back and forth between us), and had s'mores! You also got to camp on the floor in mom and dad's room that night. Overall, I think you had a great Halloween!

We stayed home for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. We were trying to head to Disneyland for your birthday, but that just wasn't in the cards, given COVID. Instead, we did a Paw Patrol themed party with just the four of us (and some family joining on FaceTime to sing to you). I think you still had a grand time, especially with the bounce house you got!

Early in December we all got COVID. You just had a runny nose, Avery and I had a few symptoms, and Dad had it the worst. It's early January now and I think we're all on the mend - Dad still needs his energy and strength back and I still need my smell back. But you didn't notice the difference, as he still magically kept up with you each day!

You also switched to the big swimming pool in swim lessons. You had a difficult time transitioning; despite my best efforts at talking you through the change, you didn't understand why I wasn't getting in the pool with you and why we were at the big kid's pool. You cried for your first and second lessons with your new teacher but now you get excited to go (whew)! I miss swimming with you but love being able to watch you - especially because these classes are 1:1 so you get all of the teacher's attention! There are a few good things that come with the pandemic!

You like to say "thank you for the delicious" when you've had something that tastes good and you're more of a breakfast/lunch eater than a dinner eater. You also say "super fabulous" or "super cool" which are phrases you picked up from the Muppet Babies. You like playing with your yo-yo, Paw Patrol toys, Toy Story toys and dinosaurs. You're also getting much better on your bicycle and the scooter you and Avery share. You also like to throw your toys (not fun, Evan) and you cry and scream a lot when you don't get your way (like when you're doing something that could hurt you or someone else so we stop you). You pick out your own clothes and pjs to wear and have started to learn how to take your clothes off. And you still love to talk with Pop. In fact, I've seen you call him on your fake phone so he can help you get your toy bin out of the shelf :) You like to eat cuties, carrots and any sweets you can get your hands on. And you love taking baths and playing with your bath toys. You brush your own teeth and the dentist says you have lots of spacing in between your teeth so no need to floss. And you like to brush your fingers on your soft skin (so do I).

You're growing really fast (I started buying 5T clothing for you recently) and we struggle to keep up with your emotions (happy or screaming, or anywhere in between and can change momentarily). You also rolled your eyes at me for the first time recently (I'm guessing it won't be the last). 

Here's your life in pictures right now.....

These are the professional pictures from Utah! You were such a ham and moody all at the same time!

This is one of the tunnels on the deserted golf course near our house, that we like to walk often - you love playing pretend while we walk (picking up sticks, calling me Woody from Toy Story, etc) and you get pretty far before you need to sit or stand in the stroller!

Halloween cupcakes from the package we got from your cousins!

Watching your sister at soccer! There was a weekend in October that dad had to leave town so it was just us - that allowed you to join at the soccer game for the first time in a LONG time!

Nothing better than Super Evan with a headband!

Chase is on the case!

Halloween s'mores with dad!

Your Batman costume was a failure this year - you were dressed for your virtual preschool costume party but wound up in a regular t-shirt and shorts!

You and Avery both loved the Halloween pumpkin faces we used this year (thanks to your cousins for sending them). You both carried those pumpkins around the house for days afterwards, talking to the pumpkins and treating them like your friends.

Box full of toys from the Toy Store!

Hunting for Halloween bags of goodies in the backyard!

Halloween S'mores again!

Coloring your new airplane!

Your entertainment while dad works out (I was painting the table in the garage too)

Following the pandemic rules at swim!

Who doesn't own a unicorn poop game?! You didn't like wearing the eye mask

Star Wars lego advent calendar this year!

Getting familiar with your new swim environment and instructor!

Your response to a movie - so cute!

Coloring the tablecloth for Thanksgiving!

Dressed up for playing out front!

Once we were all recovered from COVID, we took a night away at a resort in Phoenix to celebrate Christmas - they had activities, lights and more!

Your menorah

Looking cool in your Spiderman jacket on the golf course

In an igloo at the resort!

Coloring the Hanukkah tablecloth!

Train ride to see the lights at the resort! This was the best!

You were excited to get on the carousel and you sat for a few seconds on the horse and then freaked out and wanted off while it was moving. I managed to keep you on but all while you were throwing a fit and trying to break free and hop off the moving carousel! We were done with rides at this point (this was the first ride - haha)

Each of us got to color a side of the lantern

Avery was not thrilled with your choices as we were making cookies for Santa

Ready for Santa?

You raked it in!

Birthday fun!

By far your favorite gift!

Getting ready for a Christmas movie after opening your gifts!

Paw Patrol Chase watch

Your big gift was a combination police/fire station

Santa left a note!

Ready to open birthday gifts?!

Paw Patrol birthday cake and you blew out your candles the second they were in front of you - mid-song! Haha - you were ready for some cake!

Napping with baby Yoda, of course!

Your face is priceless - totally worth the expensive bounce house!

Oh Evan, it's been a busy few months. Now it's time to get back into our routine in the new year. You'll be starting some new things coming up too! You'll re-start potty training (with a new Paw Patrol toilet seat, of course) and you'll be headed to two-half-day preschool in August! Excited for this year and for a vaccine for the virus so we can take more trips! You got a scratch off map for your birthday to show all the states you've been to - you need to add more to your list!

All my heart,

Mom