well that's a relief!

The First, from the backseat of the van: "YUCK! What is that SMELL? That smells like PEE!"
The Maker, front seat: "Oh, that's just my chapstick."

captain...butterfly?

During a family discussion on what superhero we'd like to be:

Dad: I'd want to be able to fly.
Maker: I'd be a butterfly.

better remember that for when you need it

January 2004, age 3

You have created a new word again: "betchy"

Mom: What is "betchy"?
Maker: It's when you're outside digging a hole with a stick and you throw some of the dirt on a hyena.

your favorite (pc) treat

"Reeses-cycle Cups"

because big people seem to prefer it

Today we went for a walk. I told you to go put on your shoes and you said, "No, I'll go barefoot and you can go shoefoot."

of course it does

"You know what 'fox-o-fox' means? It means when somebody is not at home."

who named it to start with, anyway?

You and your brothers were flipping a penny and playing Heads or Tails. But you fixed the obvious problem: you could see the "head," and after inspecting the flip side of the penny, you decided it was not a "tail," but a "fence." So you all played Heads or Fences.

because it needs to be done

28 March 2004, age 3

This morning was our first public worship service for the church plant. You were up and ready in plenty of time, and since it was so beautiful and warm out you went to play outside while everyone else got ready. At some point I heard, from inside the house, the sound of one of the outside water spigots running. I ran out to find out what you were doing. You had dragged the hose all the way down to the creek and were very busy "putting more water in the creek!"

thus history is made

28 March 2004, age 3

Last night we couldn't find any bops. So for the first time you went to bed without one. I think your Dad was more upset than you were! But you seem fine.

update

31 March, 2004, age 3

Still not too concerned about your Bop. Sleeping fine.

but never wilbur

April 2004, age 3

Mom: Hey, if you had a pet pig, what would you name it?
Maker: (without a pause) Flashlight! Or Professor.

but you should see the other guy

You are growing so fast that you can't figure out where your body is or how to control it. You fell against the table and split your lower lip in McDonald's on Monday, and Tuesday you banged your eye hard enough to give yourself a purple crescent under it. Today is Wednesday, and this morning you banged your other eye against the kitchen counter. So now you have a big crusty split lip and two black eyes! I am looking forward to the end of this phase.

after measuring his height on Dad, where he comes up to Dad's waist

"I'm almost as tall as you!"

I'll take "useful items under $2, alex"

Yesterday you made yourself a Halindor, which is a rolled up piece of paper covered with tape. It is apparently some kind of magic wand which you saw or heard about via a Harry Potter book or movie, and you use it by pointing it and exclaiming, "Halindor!"

You made me one, too.

tell me another

June 2004, age 3

Mom and the Maker are talking about medicine...

Maker: Is that kind only for big people?
Mom: Yes, it says you have to be at least twelve years old to take it.
Maker: Are you twelve?
Mom: No, I'm 39.
Maker: (after several gasps, a dropped jaw, and other espressions of astonishment) Wow! That's a good one!

high in healthy fish oils

The Maker: My favorite foods are salmon and marshmallows.
Mom: Hm. I wonder if you would like salmon-flavored marshmallows...
The Maker: YEAH!

trees are friendly

"A leaf waved at me."

what the Maker says to monsters that come in his room from the woods:

1. If you're hungry, go eat in the 'fridgerator. Take something out and eat it all. Don't waste the food.

2. Sleep in a different room or in a different house which is not ours.

just two guys passin the time

Maker: Dad, do you know about everything?
Dad: Yeah, pretty much.

always keep the receipts

Today you asked me what the two white pencils were that Daddy bought. "They're styptic pencils," I said, "for when you cut yourself shaving."

"Hm," you said, "I'm gonna shave."

I nodded and you got out your shaver (with no blade) and Daddy's shaving cream. A few minutes later you reported to me in the kitchen, smelling fresh.

"I didn't cut myself," you said, "so we don't need those styptic pencils."

yellow duck shaped Peep cake with singing candle

July 24, 2004

Meme writes: Today we made your birthday cake. It was a "Peeps" cake. We went shopping for Peeps for the cake but none were to be found... but we did find a Peeps maker and the refills at Target! We made 17 Peeps, stars, Easter eggs, teddy bears, etc. for your cake. We made a yellow duck cake. You were the only one who stuck with me throughout the whole process. You gave me very specific directions on how to ice your cake. The duck had a white head and neck, yellow body and wing, and orange feet and bill. It had white on the sides and a blue eye. Then you put all the Peeps we made on the duck then put your pink singing birthday candle and three other pink candles on the cake. You couldn't wait until after dinner, so we had your birthday party right then! I'm so glad Papa and I could be here for your fourth birthday. We had so much fun.