Bridger Turns 3!

Last Thursday Bridger turned 3!  I can't even believe it.  He is getting to be so old and it is making Scott and I very sad.  Haha!  We spent most of his actual birthday in Instacare because poor Bridger was sick and ALWAYS gets croup when he gets even the smallest bug.  So--off we went to get steroids.  Luckily, Bridger was feeling a little bit better by the next day when we had his Curious George birthday party (more on that later).  

For now, here is a little bit about 3 year old Bridger....

-Bridger is potty trained!  Hasn't had an accident in about a month.  We are thrilled!

-Bridger loves dance parties.  Every night we have a dance party before we put Bridger to bed.  We were using this as his reward for having a full day accident-free, but now it has just turned into something we do since every day is accident free!  He loves doing the robot and showing us his "sweet moves".

-Bridger is developing quite the little attitude.  We are trying to temper this.  He puts his hands on his hips and turns his head back and forth while trying to make his point.  Heaven help us!  Luckily he is still our sweet, easy-going Bridger 80% of the time. :)

-Bridger loves any and all foods.  Seriously--I've never met a 2-3 year old who regularly requests eating salad or wants "more salad please".  It is amazing.  And I love it.

-Speaking of saying 'please'...Lately I have noticed that Bridger is getting so good at using his manners!  He almost always says please when asking for things and thank you afterward.  He also insists on opening all girls car doors for them when they leave our house because "I'M A GENTLEMAN!"

-Bridger is a FISH!  He loves to swim more than almost anything else.  We took him down the big Dragon Slides at Cherry Hill and he talked about it for weeks so we went back and let him do it all by himself...bribing him with ice cream, of course.  And, HE DID IT!  He loves to swim and, though he gets nervous doing new things, he will usually try them.

-Bridger has perfected the 'delay bedtime' routine.  He usually only gets out of bed one time, but he always has a well thought out reason.  For example, I cracked the screen on my phone a few weeks ago and a couple of nights ago he got out of bed because, "I had to get out so I could tell you that I'm sorry your screen on your phone is cracked".  Other favorites are, "I just want you guys to go to bed so I can come get in your bed with you." "I think it is past YOUR bedtime." and "I just wanted to give you an extra snuggle and tell you that I love you."  How can you say no to that? ;)

-Bridger loves going to nursery, reading stories, pretending, watching Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, playing apps on the iPad, taking 'Sours' (he has a hard time saying his 'sh' sound so those are actually showers) and he talks more than most 5 year olds.  Good grief.  He never stops talking---even in his sleep.  Yes, he sleep talks.  

-Bridger is hands-down the most thoughtful boy you will ever meet and is always watching others.  He is very much the typical "oldest child" and though he sometimes has a hard time sharing with his little brother, I know he really does love him.  The past several nights he has come in to help me put Dawson to bed and is so kind to him as he gently rubs his head, kisses his forehead and says, "Goodnight, Sweetie".    

-Bridger is always "trying to help"--whether it is helping me make dinner, set the table, unloading the dishwasher, folding laundry, etc.  He is always wanting to help and learn how to do it correctly.  My type-A personality has had to let a lot of things go, but I am so grateful for his willingness to learn and help.  And, so far, he never complains about doing what have become his 'chores'.

-We have many nicknames for Bridger including:  Boogs, B, Bubba, Buddy, & Bridger Bear.

-A funny story about Bridger--we have SO MANY.  Last night Bridger was telling Scott about what we learned at preschool (we have been doing home preschool with Bridger's friend Mya over the summer).  He was trying to tell him what we did and Scott was asking follow-up questions.  Bridger was obviously more interested in talking about something else because he turned to Scott and said, "It's a long story, Dad" and went on to something else.  Scott and I got a good chuckle out of that and I loved Scott's response, "Geesh, I didn't know he was 10 now!" 

Oh, how we love our Bridger!  Happy #3, Buddy!

This is him showing us some of his "sweet moves"