Simon

I don't know if it's a blessing or just cruel that I forgot how much worse 3-year olds can be than 2-years old! Clare's development has not been typical in so many ways, so it's been four years since we've had a typical 3-year old in our house. And Simon is giving us a run for our money!

Simon is a talker. And a charming talker at that. He can melt your heart with his sweet little face, big brown eyes, and words of love. His catch phrases right now are "I have a joke" and "I have a plan." They are then followed by some sort of imaginative nonsense that only a 3-year old can invent. The kind of nonsense that always elicits a dutiful smile or laugh from a doting parent, even though you have no idea what they're talking about. However, the talking is also non-stop, and Simon chatters right through everything. Not only events and activities (Mass, plays, school events, the grocery store, an hour's car ride) but any form of discipline, instructions, or other conversations in general.

Simon has also become the Master of Button Pushing. In two ways. The first is the obvious way in that he wants to be in control of every button there is in his environment. All the light switches, the TV power, the switch for the garbage disposal, elevator buttons, handicap door-opening switches, the dishwasher. If there is a button, Simon demands that it is his right to push it. Which leads to the second way in that he knows how to push the buttons of his older brother and sister. Many times these two button pushings collide, and he will race Jamie to be the first one to push the elevator button at the doctor's office (I have yet to discover the allure of this coveted prize - the pusher of the elevator buttons - but since we are at the doctor's frequently, it is a weekly battle.) Simon knows just how to make Jamie and Clare angry or upset. He may be the smallest of the three, but he can hold his own when it comes to the mental games of sibling rivalry.

Having a 3-year old in the house is challenging and, quite frankly, mentally exhausting at times. Simon very rarely naps anymore, yet there are days when he needs to. But if he does nap, then he is awake until 8-9pm, and I can't have that! (We have always had a fairly strict 6:30-7pm bedtime. I know many people think that's so early, but it works great for our family and my sanity.) Yet, in so many ways, Simon is the sweetest of my children right now. He is still very snuggly with me (Clare is, too, but Jamie is starting to outgrow that), and still often climbs into my lap. He loves to be read to and would read books all day long. He cannot get enough of books, and I love that about him! Simon has also taken quite an interest in doing what he calls "schoolwork" - coloring or preschool workbooks. He is very smart when it comes to numbers, colors, shapes, letters, and just loves doing activities involving those things. He is ready for preschool in the fall, and although he can still be clingy and a little shy at times, I know he will love it!

It is fascinating to watch Simon's imagination develop. He reminds me so much of Jamie at that age. He loves to play with his dinosaurs, Jamie's superheroes, and Clare's princesses. He will play quietly by himself in the playroom downstairs for an hour (and actually playing with toys, not getting into stuff in the storage room or Shawn's office, like Clare would be!). In many ways, I can trust Simon more than I can trust Clare. We may have our challenging moments, but, at the end of the day, when he puts his still-chubby little arms around me and gives me a big squeeze and tells me I'm a "silly head," it's all worth it!