E at 3

Just in case I forget, in a moment of screaming and gnashing of teeth, three is such a fun age. No, really. I think I might love it most of all. But I've also said that about every age so far. 

Everyone talks about the Terrible Twos, and then every parent who's been there is quick to remind everyone that the Twos really aren't so bad - it's the THREES you have to watch out for. I'll agree that parenting a child of three years is different. Sometimes more challenging. But the degree to which it is more challenging is balanced by equal (or perhaps even greater) parts awesome. 

Rock climbing 

At three and a third, Evelyn is so many things. Perceptive and hesitant in new situations. Skeptical. Artistic. Creative. (Relatively) patient. Kind. Careful.

Pinecone Golf. It's how we do in Cackalacky.

Like most wee ones her age, she has sweet eccentricties in her speech, so I'll share two that I can remember for now.

• Washcloth = wash closh
• Beside (as in "I want to sit beside Gideon") = Benext to ("I want to sit benext to Gideon.")

Chillin in Mama's cube on a Saturday morning. (That's my co-worker's sweet pup Ramona joining her mom at work too). 

There are moments of rational thought that surface. Just today, we were driving around and she said, "Mama, I'm feeling very tired. I need to take a nap so I can have more energy." And she promptly passed out. She is my daughter.

She wrote my co-worker's name on his board. 

She's sweet to Gideon. Of course they take toys from each other and run away cackling. But they love each other so much, and it's such an incredible thing to see. Also, we were at a birthday party today and Evelyn and Gideon were in an area where I couldn't see them, so after some visiting with friends I decided to get up and see what they were up to. I turned the corner and found Gideon in a headlock, crying. Evelyn's eyes caught mine and I saw a little flash of "Ooooh, I've been caught" but without missing a beat she bent her head down and kissed GOB's head and said, "Love you GOBy!" Very sly, that one.

So that's the Mouse for now. Learning and growing every day. And yes, I do still cry sometimes when I'm putting her to bed. Just like I did when she was a teeeeeny tiny infant. Because I love this part so much. I hope I continue to feel that way for many, many more years.