Blooper caught on tape

This is terrible....but I'm going to post it because it has a happy ending. 

I was summoned to the kitchen window one evening to look outside and watch a new trick Griffin had learned. It was pretty exciting, so I went outside to see it live and capture it on video. It just so happened that Griffin had gotten pretty brave at that point after so many successful attempts. 

I think it's okay to laugh and feel sad at the same time. After a very quick recovery (5 minutes?) and a small amount of encouragement, my fearless little boy was ready to take on the swing again......just from not as far and a little more cautiously. 

36 Months Old

It has happened in a blink of an eye, Griffin is already 3. He is so much fun at this age. Also, so exhausting. We argue a lot, and have many disagreements while he's learning to act properly. I wouldn't wish any of this time away though, every day with him is a blessing. 

Stats
Height: 38 1/4" tall -- 69th percentile
Weight: 32lbs -- 53rd percentile
BMI: 15.something -- 28th percentile

He talks in sentences, has quite an imagination, and is very independent. It's amazing to watch him develop his little personality. I can't wait to see him be a big brother. 

 

That may have been the last set of monthly pics with Bobby. I still can't decide. Maybe I'll drop to every 6 months? I've got to remember, everything I do for Griffin I should also do for baby #2!

The 3 of us enjoyed a "cookie cake" and more gift opening on his birthday.

One of his gifts from us was a big boy bike. He started to get the hang of peddling at home, but to really enjoy it we took him the the new park in town where they've recently paved the trails. 

1/2 mile later, Drew is chasing

And a few more fun moments from the past month:

swim date with Griffin's gal pal Bristol

watching morning cartoons, hands in the BACK of the pants

funny face during an after-the-rain playtime in puddles

helping daddy put his bike together

Cardinals game with Grandpa Don

I assume this will be the last Cardinals game we see this year. Even if they make the playoffs, we will be quite busy with a newborn this fall! We invited Grandpa Don to go with us since it was just an afternoon game that we would be easily driving up and back for. It was a good game with several runs scored, and they won! As a bonus, Griffin got to run the bases (second time!) afterward. He was much more aware of what was going on this time.

3pm games during nap time are rough

seems like the ballpark would be too loud to sleep?

interesting tat on the boy in front of us

it's go time!

And a got a video this year:

Party time!!

Over the weekend, we celebrated Griffin's birthday by inviting a whole bunch of family and friends over to our house. He is a very lucky little boy to have so many people that love him. 

The theme was SUPERMAN!! But if Griffin is saying it, he has to put his arms up and out like he's flying or showing his muscles.

This year's invite:

We decided to buy a small pool for Griffin to learn to swim in, and maybe a little for me to float around in too. However, even the flattest spot of our yard is actually not very level. So after many hours spent pulling and pushing a semi-assembled pool around the yard (in the dark, after Griffin went to bed one night), we gave up and just decided we would give it a go and see if it lasted. 

I heard that it went through some extensive testing during the party but never looked as though it would collapse. I gave a short warning that at any moment all the children could be on a swift ride down the hill. So glad that worked out.

trying to deal with the thought of growing older

this is the "deep end"

Bennet is a cutie

Bristol joins in....this is Griffin's current "crush"

even Landrie came down!

it didn't take long to get Briley in the pool

Claire is always one of the first names Griffin says when
he talks about his "friends"

gifts from Aunt Shasta & family were thoroughly
enjoyed even though they couldn't be there

Briley and Bennet were big present opening helpers

Mrs. Donna from daycare gave him a bear
from her collection....over 20 years old

besties

Chase is brave!

Let's hope this next year goes much slower than the previous 3.....