Weather Optimist

Today is it, friends. I'm gonna switch up my blog a little. For the most part I've always written about the cute/fun/not so cute or fun things Diego is doing. Don't worry, I'm not quitting that. I enjoy writing though, and decided to sprinkle some other things in too. Most of my friends sprinkle in other fun things too, but I was really inspired by Little Lucy Lu, a blog written by a gal I went to high school with. She writes about craft projects, her cute little girl, her home, etc. I was entertained and inspired! So here I go.

I've always considered myself somewhat of a weather optimist. I can find something good about any kind of weather. Seriously. When its sunny, of course we can go outside. When its raining/hailing we GET TO stay inside. Yes I said get to, I'm not an outdoorsy girl. When it snows, we can go outside for a little bit and enjoy it, then we can come back in and watch it silently, beautifully fall while we sit by the fire and drink hot chocolate. Well, Eddie and I can do that. Diego can run around like a crazy person, as usual. You get the idea, I don't let the weather get me down, whatever it may be. I'm also not afraid to say that I really do believe I could melt if I spent too much time in the rain and I hate getting dirty. 'Nuf said.

I took the picture above on a rainy day a few weeks ago. Diego and I were out to run and errand and I spotted this perfect rainbow and snapped a picture with my cell phone. Yes, from the car, but we were stopped at the stop sign. Shhhhh don't tell my husband (Love you Honey:). Diego loves rainbows, and that day I realized I really do too! Who doesn't, really? They seem magical somehow. This was the first FULL rainbow we had seen in a while and it seemed also symbolic to me. Symbolic of what? I'm not sure, but clearly of good things to come.

"Pull Up" Festival

We met some friends at the Tulip Festival on a gorgeous day! This was Diego's first trip and he had a blast! He refers to it as the "Pull Up" Festival, and would love to go back! I rode the cow train with him (bumpiest ride EVER), but fun!
He took a little pony ride! He just hopped on for a ride like it ain't no 'thang!

This was the highlight of his day. I'm not sure what they call this, but its a bouncy thing and he went really high! He kept saying "Best day EVER" (like Rapunzel says on Tangled). It was supposed to be a 5 minute ride, but there was no line behind us so I think his turn was about 10 minutes, it was great!

He didn't quite get why I wanted him to look through this, and each time he did I chuckled, it was so funny.

The only thing we didn't do? Walk over to the actual Tulips. I know, I'm lame. But by the time we had played and played and played, it was time to go. :) Next time, we'll go see the flowers first.

3 Year Check Up

Diego is petrified of the doctor. I'm not sure if its because of the shots, or if he's just scared, but he cries when we mention it and cries when we get there. We went in for his 3 year check up on March 1st and he didn't want to go. There weren't as many tears as normal, as he can verbalize his feelings a lot more now, but he was still visibly scared. We were waiting in the waiting room and he just wanted to go home. I truly feel bad for my little guy, but going to the Dr is part of life and we've gotta do it. When Maria (his pediatricians nurse) called his name, he got really upset. We went in and he needed to be weighed and measured. He doesn't like either of these things. I can't figure out why its upsetting to him. He weighs 36 1/2 lbs (88%) and is 39 1/2" tall (90%). He continues to top the charts in the height and weight range. They didn't measure his head this time, but I'm sure he's topping them there too (we got him a new bicycle helmet recently and had to buy one for 5+ years old). The doctor had no concerns about Diego's growth and development. I discussed with her his lack of interest in potty training (he goes about once a day on the potty) and general dislike for undies or most things "potty". She said he seems very independent and that most kids with this type of personality will just decide one day they are ready, and that will be it, and that I shouldn't worry about it (Erica told me this, because Jag was this way). Its hard not to worry when all of his little friends are on the potty wagon, but we'll get there. Diego was coloring when Dr Ronai and I were talking and she was really impressed at his grasp on the crayon, she said he holds it better than most 4 year olds! All those hours coloring and drawing with a pen have done some good for the lil guy. I asked her about whether or not it was too early to tell if he was a lefty or a righty, she guessed left because he was holding his crayon so well with that hand. I am thrilled, of course, because I am a lefty, but I wouldn't care either way. Just another person close to me that can agree that we lefty's think with our "right" brain. Her most prominent recommendation: find a preschool for next fall. That's our next project~! (The picture above is him itchin' to get out the door when our appointment was over)

A Visit to the Library

First time wearing any sort of backpack, had to get a picture!

Today Diego and I took a little trip to the library. I have been wanting to take him back for a visit for a while now, and today seemed like a great day. It was extra rainy outside and we didn't have much going on. I took Diego to the library once when he was much younger to try out the toddler story time, it was a bust. He was trying to escape the whole time, so, we hadn't been back until now. This time he really enjoyed the visit. The childrens section has 3 large cubes with blocks and mirrors, etc and he loves those. They also had a lego table and he enjoyed making and pushing over towers. He even met another boy named Elijah. Elijah was quite a bit older (10) but very polite and very sweet with Diego. Diego would knock over Elijah's lego towers too, but he didn't mind. After some playtime, we checked out two books, one about trains (go figure) and one about a little policeman. We also checked out their themed backpacks for children. They had all kinds of themes, and we chose trains this time. (Next up, the potty training bag.) When it was time to checkout, we both needed library cards and Diego was so excited to have his very own and check out books under his own card. He left the library wearing the backpack (usually he refuses to wear backpacks, so seeing him with it was so cute). When we got home, we checked out the contents of the backpack and he was thrilled, 3 books about trains, a toy train to play with, a Toy Trains DVD Music Video (I've seen it about 1000 times and I'm pretty sure I could go without seeing it again) and the John Denver CD All Aboard.

Checking out his new card!

"Show me your library card, Diego", oops, a little too close. :)

Go Fish!

At a playgroup recently, Diego's friend Jayden had a fun version of the Go Fish card game, made suitable for ages 3+. Diego was really interested in the game, and I loved the concept of it. He received some gift cards for his birthday so we picked up the game for him. The three of us played it the day we brought it home and had a great time. I love games, so the fact that he is now interested in them is wonderful! Diego ended up winning that night, and was not shy about giving himself a round of applause along with Mommy and Daddy.

3rd Birthday

Around here, we celebrate birthdays for days! Here are some highlights of what we did for Diego's third birthday!Birthday Dinner at the Ram (his choice) with Ice Cream cupcakes. YUM!

Cute (and a little naughty) boy! He spend the entire time we were at dinner trying to climb over the really high backs of the booth we were sitting in.

Cupcakes with his friends at Playgroup. I love that I caught him ready to blow out his candle. Last year, he got too close and burned his eyelashes. Yes, his eyelashes. I know, I'm horrible.

A little playtime at one of his favorite places, NW Kids Club. I am still amazed that his favorite thing to do is play train table. He has a traintable at home, but anywhere we go if there is a train table, he's there!

Jaycoby, Mindy and Ella joined us for playtime at NW Kids club for Diego's birthday. J was having a snack break.

Birthday party at NW Kids club. It was a blast! We had food, family, friends a fun! Diego and his friend Madeleine were almost inseperable the entire evening. It was really cute.

Mouth full of "Jelly Buttons"

REAL Big Boy Bed

Diego is finally in his real big boy bed! He has transitioned from crib, to toddler bed, to full size mattress on the floor, and now finally his real bed! If you can believe it, the head and foot boards are from his crib. It was a fully convertible crib and I'm so glad we got the one we did!
He loves his "beach bed" and of course jumping on it is his favorite.

Last night was the first night, I think it went well. He's totally crashed!