2 1/2

Kaeden is officially 2 1/2.  What a character! 

I was recently talking to a friend about our family and the roles that we all play.  It really made me think about Kaeden and what an essential member of our family he is.  Mason, Ryan, and I are all orderly, rule-following planners (well, lately Ryan doesn't seem like such a great rule-follower either, but anyway...).  Kaeden mixes everything up for us, and I think we need that in our little family.  He is so enthusiastic and FUN.  I adore his little personality, even though it has its own challenges.

 

So, what's Kaeden like at 2 1/2?

Kaeden loves his family, especially his Mommy.  His brothers and cousins are his best friends, and I think he'd be happy just hanging out at home as a family for days on end.  

He and Ryan don't always get along super these days, but that doesn't change their love for each other.  They are quite a pair. 

With the new babies and general craziness this spring, Auntie & I decided to do our own music class for the boys rather than signing up for kindermusik again.  It has been lots of fun, and the boys have taken to it even better than we had hoped.  Now, every time we get together, they immediately start asking for music class.  It's been a good bonding activity for Kaeden & Atticus, I think :)

Kaeden really enjoys music and anything having to do with it.  He loves to play the piano and is fascinated by guitars.  A good portion of the words that come out of his mouth are songs, and his current favorite is "Rise and Shine" (which he learned at chapel at Ryan's preschool.... possibly his favorite part of the whole week!)  He can also be found belting out "Jesus Loves Me" down the halls of LaGuardia airport.  Perhaps he'll be our little evangelist :)  One of his latest favorite things is the group, The Piano Guys.  It's basically a really great pianist and cellist.  He loves to watch their videos, and today while watching them, I noticed him playing the air cello :)  He was just staring at the cellist and fingering away.  Time to get him some lessons!

Kaeden is friendly.  He loves bigger people... especially female bigger people.  There are multiple staff members at Ryan's preschool that he has wrapped around his little finger.  One time we went to get frozen yogurt, and we were the only ones in the store.  He flirted with the young lady working the cash register the entire time.  He's going to be a heart-breaker some day, I fear.  

 

He also loves animals.  Dogs are always great from a distance, but sometimes he gets nervous up close.  Cats are a hit always, and his latest obsession is squirrels.  Anytime we go to a park now (or often even in our own yard), he looks for squirrels and chases them.  Last week, he started running after a squirrel at the park, yelling, "Squirrel hug Kaeden!!  Hug, Squirrel, Hug!"  He's hilarious.

Loving on our friends' cat, much to Daddy's dismay

Kaeden's favorite activities include building with Duplos (and Ryan's Legos when he'll let him!), talking in a high-pitched voice to Ethan, playing with water (in the sink, in the bath, spraying the hose outside, wherever I'll let him), baking with Mommy, puzzles, and playing in the sand table outside. 

He continues to be my picky eater, though he has improved a lot.  He is one giant sweet tooth, and he would be quite happy to eat only dessert.  Chocolate is his favorite :)  I've begun giving the boys a plate of raw veggies every day around 5:00, and that has helped a lot with his veggie consumption.  They think it's a treat to eat something before dinner and walk around with it, and I'm just happy that they're eating vegetables and not whining about when dinner will be ready. 

Happily eating some cucumber...

...but ecstatic about his chocolate bar!

 Kaeden's not always full steam ahead, however.  In new settings with lots of people, he is often reserved and can take a while to just stand back and observe.  He belts out "Rise and Shine" at least 10 times a day at home, but he has never uttered a word of it during chapel at preschool.  He is a snuggle-bug, and is generous with his hugs.  He doesn't mind just sitting on the couch and snuggling with me from time to time, as long as it doesn't last too long :)

 

 Kaeden rarely naps anymore, when given the choice, though he does still fall asleep in the car fairly often.  When he has rest time in his room, he usually just plays, but sometimes I'll find him an hour later passed out in the funniest places/ways!

Just some examples

 I am so proud of the little boy that he is becoming, and I make a point of telling him all the time how special he is.  He can drive me absolutely crazy, but he can also make me smile like no one else.  I love him so much.