The Bebej Blog: Kyler -- December 2014

The holidays are always fun, but kids just seem to make it even more memorable. Kyler is always so funny these days, and it is great to hear what his little mind comes up with when it comes to experiencing Christmas this year. We visited lots of family and friends, attended lots of parties, and made it out the Frederik Meijer Gardens again. With Kyler being older this year, he got to help with more decorating, baking, and other holiday activities. One of the best things has been going through the nativity story with him, talking about counting down to Jesus's birthday and seeing how thankful he is for everything he experiences. Oh, to be a child again at Christmas--it almost makes up for the lack of snow!

Kyler started out the month sick, saying, "Lovey sick too, Mommy. He has a bug."
He loves to help me "correct" behavior when Devin and the little girl I babysit throw things from their high chairs at lunch time. "No, that was a bad choice _____!" My little disciplinarian...
He started pooping in the potty! Once he figured it out, he never seemed to have an accident again.
I made a felt tree for him to decorate and redecorate until his heart was content. Each morning, he got a new decoration. He kept insisting he needed a star, but we saved that for Christmas Day!
We developed a new game called "ball shield," in which he deflects balls with a large lid (we got him a Captain American shield for Christmas because of this game).
He helped Daddy set up outdoor decorations and "swept" the driveway for us.
He had fun going to his first Calvin women's basketball game, even though he could barely sit still. He loved the popcorn (Daddy forgot his water, so he said it was too salty) and wanted to take his picture in the Cheese.
He loves watching Monsters, Inc. and started to assign us all names from the movie and remembers them all.
He had a great time having Uncle Darrel and Aunt Lynsey babysit, but he was a little OCD about where his books are placed after story time... Poor Uncle Darrel!
He had a tough time leaving both BSF and Coffee Break, crying and throwing meltdowns at both places. I guess the upside is that he likes learning about God, right?
He loved walking around the neighborhood with me to "deliver letters" to our neighbors.
After I ran, I gave him a big hug and told him that I probably stink. This made Kyler laugh, and he said, "Mommy, you smell like poopies." Thanks, kiddo. :-)
Kyler helped to make the dough, cut out shapes, and decorate cookies this year!
During church, there was a moment of silence. After a while, Kyler said, "What happened?"
He tried tacos and banket and seemed to like both--especially the banket.
He has started to spell words on his own without seeing them, such as "dog" and his name.
Has become OBSESSED with PAW Patrol on television and assigned us all new names to go with the characters.
We went to visit friends and meet their new baby. When their dog got a little excited and knocked Kyler over, he got put outside. So Kyler went up to the slider where the dog was waiting and told him, "You made a bad choice, so now you have to have a timeout."
We went to his first dentist visit, and he did SO WELL! The only thing that bothered him were the sunglasses for the bright light. The dentist could not believe it was his first time.
He had a great Daddy date to the mall for shopping and lunch with lots of mini corn dogs.
He had a great time visiting Meijer Gardens for the Christmas trees, trains, and the outdoor tree house. He even got to meet some reindeer!
After a bad choice, Kyler said, "Mommy, I make you happy. I give you a big hug."
"I pee in the tub!" He was really excited about this revelation.
He had a fun time visiting Santa and could not wait to meet him. As soon as we were inside, he ran straight over to him and said, "Hi, Santa!" He never wanted to leave, had no fear, and barely stopped talking to him. Poor Santa.
When asked what his favorite Christmas songs were, he would say, "'This Christmas,' 'Feliz Navidad,' and the 'Rum-pa-pum-pum song'."
He was very thankful for his gifts, but also very eager. He was soon distracted by loving to help clean up the used wrapping paper."
He had some great phrases for when he would open a gift, including, "That's perfect!" and "How neat!"
We enjoyed "tickle juice" (sparkling grape juice) for Christmas Day dinner.
We had so much fun visiting friends and playing with their daughters and dogs.
He loved seeing all the windmills in the Illinois countryside.
He enjoyed story time at the library with Grammy, made a craft, and enjoyed a Candy Land adventure.
We had "puppet shows" in the car, and he loved to have them dance to "Shake It Off"
When Devin was crying in the car and I kept telling him that there was nothing I could do, Kyler quipped, "Mommy, maybe a hug would make him feel better."