Erik is THREE!

For the third time, we have a "three-nager" on our hands. Erik is definitely living his best toddler life right now, although he detests it when we call him "Todd" for short when he gets into one of those moods. He is growing more into himself every day, and it truly is a delight to be a part of his world.

While he is certainly growing into his "tackle guy" genes, he is also growing socially, emotionally, and intellectually. His language has exploded, his memory is impressive, and he is legitimately funny. As the youngest, he knows how to work an audience (and maybe get away with more than he should), but he is also teaching his sisters the futility of arguing with a toddler.

Erik has continued attending Parents Day Out/preschool two days a week, and we have settled into our schedule of school, DeNeuville (Learning Center, where I continue to teach adult education classes), "adventure day," mom-and-me exercise classes, and errands. He is very laid-back--except when he's having one of the aforementioned toddler moments--and is happiest when digging and driving trucks. One of the highlights for this year was getting to "drive" a real-life excavator when the house next door was torn down.

Another highlight, of course, was his birthday, which was a big one. Erik turned three on the third and truly lived it up on his Golden Birthday. The day began with much celebrating from all members of the family and a special breakfast of pancakes with whipped cream.

November 3rd fell on an adventure Thursday, so once we hustled the girls to school, we were free to indulge Erik in his favorites. We started with some digging time, of course, and then headed to the botanic gardens for...more digging. There is literally a giant pile of dirt with trucks and shovels, and is one of Erik's happy places. While there, we explored some new areas and even serendipitously ran into some friends.

Erik in his natural habitat

We then met Jon for a patio lunch on that beautiful fall day and made it home with plenty of time to frost a birthday cake and have a sheep photo shoot. Since Biggest Sister still had ballet class in the afternoon, we planned a birthday dinner--another outdoor meal--at the pizza place next to the studio. We closed out the day with cake and ice cream and reading/playing with some of the wonderful gifts from family.

Who is this big boy?

But there was more celebrating to be had! For the first time, Erik got to have a real birthday party. On the following Saturday, some friends joined us at the house for hot dogs, park time, and "dirt cake" (complete with gummy worms) made lovingly by Elsa and Lena. The party was even more special because Erik's birthday twin was an honored guest.

I think it's safe to say that Erik will be basking in the glow of his Golden Birthday for a long time to come!