Dekker is 3!

Dekker really looked forward to his birthday this year - he was excited for the presents, cake and most importantly to wear real underwear to bed (no more pull ups). We unknowingly started a new tradition with Hazel's birthday this year.  She opened her present from Dekker the night before her birthday so she insisted that Dekker open his present from her the night before - and viola - we will be opening presents from siblings forevermore the night before!  Dekker also didn't have a friends party this year! Kids parties here on the island are a bit differnet and we were'nt ready to commit to everything involved. First of all - at birthday parties aren't just for kids - parents come and stay the whole time. Which would be great, but the parents here are used to having the hosts provide alcohol at the kids party! A lady at the branch was telling me they couldn't afford to have a party for her son and I was so confused because I knew she could afford a cake (she brought one to church for him) and I figured what else do you need?  But that was before I knew she would have to have an open bar for all her non-member family and friends (her hubby is not a member as well). 

Anyways long story long - we decided to have a bonfire on the beach for Dekker and invite his little friend Dafka and her family.  His birthday was a school holiday so we got up and opened presents first thing before Kyle left for work and then we spent the day at the pool and preparing for the beach.

Once we got to the beach Kyle built a great fire and we roasted hot dogs.  Completely normal for us - but my friend Joelle had never heard of cooking hot dogs on the fire - the horror! Luckily her hubby had done it before so she didn't think we were crazy. We also had smores and a Spiderman birthday cake! Sidenote - Dekkers favorite food right now is hot dogs and he didn't like the marshmallows cooked - he ate them "raw".  It was a really lovely night out under the stars right on the beach with the fire blazing.  We couldn't believe we'd been here almost 4 months and hadn't done this yet!

Dekker first and formost is a goof - I have a million pictures of him pulling crazy faces. He loves nothing more than to get someone to laugh at him. He has a great smile. Dekker comes into our room every morning carrying his shirt, shorts and undies - he is so excited to get dressed for the day. He loves being a BIG BOY and will always correct me if I call him my little boy. When he grows up he wants to be "a pirate and then a Dada".  He is an amazing swimmer and loves to brag to people that he can swim under the water - he can swim in the deep end easily now. He loves riding his bike, playing swords, playing cars, playing with his sister, being mommy's helper in the kitchen, and playing with his superhero figurines. He's a bit shy with strangers. He loves to play fight. He definitly has some ladies wrapped around his finger and I've had quite a few moms tell me he should be a child model. He is so fun to be around and I love everything about him!

here is one of the many crazy faces!

watching a movie while waiting for the rain to go away so we can swim!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BIG BOY!

New tricks at the pool

I thought it would be fun to show what Hazel and Dekker work at while they swim.

Hazel has been trying to master the hand stand. It's been rough for her because she refuses to stop plugging her nose. So she should get extra points for the one handed Hand Stand!

Dekker decided last week to go from life jacket to nothing. This is a couple days later. It scared me at first, but anytime I try to help him I get in big trouble because "I am a BIG BOY!"

yay for undies!

I had no intentions of even attempting potty training dekker until he was at least 3. It was a nightmare with hazel because she resisted and i thought i would put it off untill i knew he was ready. well he started  panicking everytime he had to pee, so i showed him how to go on the pot and he basically trained himself! he has been so good about it because he wants to be a big boy - he's even had a lot of nights that's he's kept his pull ups dry! i can count the amount of accidents he's had on one hand!

The worst day of my whole life!

Dekker is already turning into a pesky little brother.  He loves to throw and kick and poke and hit everything (including his sister). He never does it meanly, hitting is just a fun game to him. It's strange, I know at some piont this will bug me, but right now it makes me smile because he is just such a boy!

A couple of weeks ago he was poking Hazel right before supper and she came to me bawling uncontrollably.  She kept saying "this is the worst day of my whole life."  Of course I had to give her a real tight hug so she wouldn't see my smiling.  She was right -it may have been the worst day in her 4 1/2 years of life.  But how great is that?  We are very blessed to have a very plain, normal, lovely life.  We always have food, we have a nice little house, and we love each other.  I know life isn't always gonna be this uncomplicated, so I am enjoying every second of it!