Eleanor agrees to try a bubble bath again, with reservations
Then when sister poops in the tub for the fifth time, and it’s soap night, you get to take a shower in dad’s bathroom downstairs. “I like showers!” -Des
Reading the Star Wars book in a fort
A pre-bedtime reading of The Lorax
To celebrate Desmond turning three, mom and dad took the day off work to visit the pumpkin patch. Sister was in utero last time, but today was just the three.
Hayrack ride out to the pumpkin patch, it was a beautiful autumn day
THIS MANY!!!
Des wanted to get a second, more substantial pumpkin. Dad said he could have it, if he could pick it up. A toddler’s rendition of the Sword in the Stone
Dad pretending not to be fighting back significant nausea
Vala’s Pumpkin Patch is one part pumpkin patch and orchard and another part amusement park. Seen here is the animatronic cows and other barnyard critters playing bluegrass interwoven with riddles and jokes. Somehow we walked past this earworm barn 14 times in a single visit.
Des ventured out onto the windmill platform all by himself, but wasn’t too thrilled upon looking down, so mom walked out as well. He’s still not a fan of grated-design: the caboose platform at the Durham, the staircase of the old market parking garage…
For being generally disinterested interested with swings, Des was surprisingly content with riding the zip line.
Mom had to into the action (and dad too)
Might be time for some new outdoor toys next spring
Desmond toddlering the apple cannon (looking closely, an apple can be seen mid-air)
Seriously fun
Tractor ✔️
The apple pie mostly made up for the sad potato soup
Oddly enough, the sheep waiting Des’ pellets took the same resting position as Max with his head in your lap waiting for a head rub
The sheep gobbled up the treats
That is a sheep tongue stretching the distance for a few more pellets
An entire multi-floor barn is dedicated to a complex pneumatic system for a truly frantic ball-flying rush
Though it quickly turned into a ball hoarding sprint…
…which ended in loss, certain disappointment and tears
Making it rain corn
Also walked out on the massive bubble, though ended up preferring seated fun
Duck water races, naturally
This cool three-year-old going with dad to get sister at daycare
Desmond’s present: a little sister to always (voluntarily, never any cajoling) share all of his toys with
Both kids going immediately to building with the new Squigz like at Joslyn’s Discovery Room
“Oh, a book!” Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
A crane truck to take apart and reassemble
Special birthday dinner and a movie, with a viewing of Cars 2 (of course)
Reading The Lorax before bed (during the second reading the night after, Des picked up on the tragic nature of the ending and was clearly distraught)
::
From Mom: Happy 3rd birthday to this wonderful creature. He has taught me joy and love in ways I could have never dreamed. He can’t get enough Star Wars, tractors, rocket ships, The Beatles and his dad.
From Dad: Your toddler-sized heart knows no stranger, laughs with full life like your mother, reads every book in sight, hugs so hard, finds pleasure in helping, is curious about so many things. You struggle with mouse-and-elephant problems too like the rest of us, but I’m so fortunate to be your father, growing with you hand-in-hand. Welcome to three, Desi.
Baby’s first time sitting in a shopping cart
First time at the checkout register, Eleanor is dubious of the man touching all of our food and hiding it in brown bags
Nap time is the best time
Generations 1, 3 and 4
Desmond felt it was best to gather all the balloons together in the middle of the room, as you do
Balloons = magic
Some truly remarkable women and mothers in this group
Inspecting the found ladybug
These cousins remain in motion
CAKE! It took a few tries and some coaching, but he blew the candle out
The look of pure bliss
Little heart, so full
Liam reading Des’ card
Snoopy and Woodstock play music and light up?!
Big brother sharing his card, Ella was equally impressed
Desmond quickly settling in story-listening position as Uncle Mike read one of his new books
Eleanor hopped in and contemplated the book’s plot and sub-themes
Eleanor showing off her most recent nighttime party trick: waking up and sitting, without making much more than a peep, then falling asleep again.
Early morning snuggles
She’s persistent. No barricade can hold her back.
“Cheerios coming in for a landing!”
Desmond sleeping while kneeling on the ground (again, mother’s son)
Liam, Viv and ma deliver a very special gift- Desmond’s first pet(s), frogs!
More specifically, two African Dwarf frogs
With minimal latency, Desmond proclaimed their names were “Stick” and “T-Rex.” Growth milestone: Des connects favorite things with favorite things, unprompted by explanation how one goes about naming pets.
Yeah, he’s pretty excited
Eleanor equally enthused, though likely more with sticking leaves in her mouth
Discovering what the tiny fork is for at Amsterdam
Unsurprisingly, frog paraphernalia surged in popularity
Mom’s in Pittsburg for three days for a conference. The breakfast club: morning 1.
Lunch baggie art, Dad (guest artist)
Cal joining for dinner, cousins scope the tunnel
Goofing around with dad
The sea is deep. They rock and rock and rock to sleep.
What dad found as he was going upstairs to bed
With fairly strong wind gusts, this was about the extent of Eleanor playing with the bubbles
Meanwhile Des is getting his hair cut with Aunt Megan, obviously
Listening very intently to the Star Wars storybook before bed. Without having seen the movies, his favorite character (and “super hero??”) is now Darth Vader. His little world view will be shattered shortly after his fourth birthday :/
