Birthday: Crew Is Three

Sunday morning we woke up and sang "Happy Birthday" to Crew. While we made breakfast we sang "Happy Birthday." We forgot to do a candle in his breakfast so I put a candle in a strawberry to blow out.  Basically we sang happy birthday a million times because it's one of his favorite songs! 

In his hand he was showing me the iphone and how he was watching church videos after breakfast.

He saw the candle coming

Sawyer was in the action and loved watching Crew blow out his candle.

 We had stake conference. It was nice to go to church a little earlier and get out a little sooner. We came home and heated up an exciting birthday lunch of leftover pizza and salad. (leftovers from an impromptu hangout and dinner with some friends the night before)

Crew helped set the table. He gave himself three cups.

He specifically requested a party hat like the one Sawyer had. He always surprises me with what he remembers.

 This next seven pictures speak very loudly of Crew's personality and how he reacts when he is given attention by others. (Even though it was his Grandma Carmen and Grandpa Ernie joining in with the song)

Another "Happy Birthday" with a candle in his pizza.

 After lunch Crew wanted to open presents and then have cupcakes.

joining in to sing before opening presents

"Oh my goodness," in a breathy whisper. 

outfit from Carmen and Erine

From Abe and I he got a little figurines of a squirrel, elephant, frog, and a book on frogs.

 Onto cupcakes

 I look at Crew and I am nearly brought to tears when I think back to the day he was born and how quickly he has grown to a three year old boy. The emotions are many; excited, proud, sad, and amazed; just to name a few.
Crew has a deep love for those in his family. He makes sure to watch out for Sawyer if another kid is around. Crew will promptly return toys back to Sawyer if they are taken by someone else, and is really good at trading toys with Sawyer that are of equal "value."
Crew has a tender heart. If he knows someone is hurt he is quick to show affection and want to help fix it. I recently watched as Sawyer struggled with frustration trying to get his helmet on. Crew watched on and then suddenly got up from what he was doing and put on Sawyer's helmet for him and said, "There you go Sawyer. Now you are safe!"
If it has an engine Crew likes it! He most likely knows the name of it, and if not, then at least the sound it makes.
We go outside often. Crew loves to dig in the dirt, explore, kick the dirt as he runs, dig up and bury things, jump, ride his bike, go on walks, four wheeler rides, pick flowers, go on adventures, and the list could go on.
He can say all of his ABC's and can visually pick out some letters. He likes to spell his name, can tell you the color of his eyes and hair, where he lives, how old he is, where certain family members live, can sing many songs, can count to 20 and after twenty he can count with help when the number changes (30, 40, etc). He knows several shapes and most colors.
Being polite and using please, thank you, no thank you, and excuse me are second nature to him. Sometimes he catches me off guard by being so polite.
I hope he keeps his excitement he has with The Book of Mormon (he tends to say "Morgon") and scriptures. He says some very heart felt and well thought out prayers. It melts my heart when he asks for things such as: "Dad to be safe while he works," " bless Mom for making dinner," "help me to make happy choices."
Crew is very obedient but has currently developed his own way to follow out a command. Sometimes it's acceptable but other times it's his way of bending what is required and making it fit what he wants. He has become much more independent and insists on doing everything himself. If we start doing something for him he will stop what we are doing, retrace his steps, and start it over again.
I am so glad Crew is in our family. I feel so blessed that he is my first and Sawyer has him as his big brother. Crew has brought me more joy than I can describe. My heart burst with joy and love and I watch him grow and mature. At times I catch glimpses of what he may be like as a man and hope that I can lead him on the right path to be a strong, righteous, and live his life centered around God and his family.