We met some friends at a little petting zoo on one of our days off. The kids had a great time. While we were getting our things together for the day, "E" decided that he was going to read to the baby. It was the cutest thing. He picked out their children's story bible and "read" to her from that. She was a little wobbly in the bumbo chair so I did not leave her down there long but had to get a picture before I got her out.
"H" spent most of the day being the best big brother ever and carried "E" wherever he wanted to go. I think "E" was not feeling too good that day so he enjoyed getting the attention.
When he was not hitching a ride, they held hands and walked around the place checking things out.
There was a huge sand pile, that made me nervous. My kids do not "usually" like getting dirty at home. They are the plan ahead to play in the dirt kind of guys. BUT, we have been to a few birthday parties where sand was involved and I actually had to bathe them before we were able to head home. For that reason, I was afraid that they were going to go hog wild in the sand. "I" is the only one who played in the sand and he did not wreck himself too terribly bad. He had a great time playing in the sand with his friends from school.
Then he and his BFF "G" played a little tether ball.
We rode the train all together once. Then "H" and "E" rode the train about 826.4 more times. :) They rode so many times that "E" finally fell asleep. It was too cute.
Four silly little chickens!
A "hiccup" as "E" Called it, sitting on the roof of one of the pavilions. Every time it made it's noise, not sure what to say it was doing, "E" wanted to know where the "hiccup" was.
Big brother carrying little brother, again. Or should I say, still?
Petting the goats.
"E" was excited about going inside and petting the goats, until he got in there. He was not real sure about them once he got inside. He was pretty apprehensive about touching them at first. I think it is funny how he is leaning in yet still holding on to big brother's hand to protect himself.
Still not too sure about the little goats.
I guess he decided that he was safe so he let go of his protectors hand.
Waiting in line, trying to decide if he really wanted to ride the pony.
"I" was very excited about riding the pony.
Each time after he rode the pony, he would get off and run back around to get in the line.
I think he ended up riding all of the ponies except for one.
I wonder if the ponies ever get tired of just walking around in a circle, all day long. Ugh, I know I would.
He finally decided that it looked safe so he gave it a try.
AND HE LOVED IT!
I bet he rode the pony 5 or 6 times himself. I know the ponies must get tired of making that trip in the circle because I sure did. I know he was not feeling well because he was having fun but did not hardly smile at all. Poor little guy.
All of the kiddos looking at, petting and feeding the cow after the million combined pony rides!
"E" checking out the bunnies inside their house.
Trying to feed the bunnies. He kept saying he wanted "to hold it, bunny." I love the way he says things. He is growing up way too fast. He tells me all of the time, "I wanna hold it, baby" talking about his baby sister. Or "I love it, baby!" He just melts my heart!
Oh, and if you are wondering where the girl children are in these photos, it was really windy so we tried to keep the little princess in her carrier as much as we could and big sister had gone to spend the night with a friend the night before so they could go skating.
By 3, Daddy could do no wrong. He wanted to be with Daddy no matter what. He was Daddy's main helper, his shadow and his best friend. Where has the blonde baby boy gone? This year would change his life forever. This is the year he would become a big brother. I will not lie, I had my doubts. He would talk about the baby when he wanted to. He said no, he did not want to be a big brother and that the baby could live with someone else. I was fearful that my baby would be forever changed, scarred in some way, his childhood ruined. This year, his personality really started to shine through. He became more outspoken, not as shy...more outgoing, funnier, quite the character. He became the life of the party.
My, look how he has changed this year...3 was a big year. He lost his baby of the house status, becoming a big brother, started going into his music classes alone, started going into (and enjoying) kid's church on his own. Daddy is his best friend but over the last month, Mommy has moved back into his favorite person list, not really that I ever left, I think I just had to share the spotlight for a while. He really loves his friends and cannot wait to see them. He loves play dates but still really enjoys playing alone. 
Wow, he has grown up so much this last year. He is the most fantastic big brother ever. We could not have asked for that transition to go more smoothly. He absolutely LOVES his baby brother. 
This child is sweet, loving, caring, gentle and you just would not believe how funny he is. He is super smart too. Do I even need to add that he is absolutely gorgeous to boot?! Yea, I didn't think so...
