Our sweet Ross turned three this month! He was, of course, very excited for his birthday and worked hard on learning how to hold his three fingers up to tell you how old he was going to be.
He was happy to have Grammie Jean and Grandpa Mark here for his birthday.
He loved opening his presents from Steve's family on Skype.
We all went to the Golden Gate Fields, a racetrack nearby that is right next to the highway we drive on several times a week. The kids always see the horses and the track and ask when we're going to go... so I figured this was as good a time as any!
We didn't even try to explain the gambling side of it all to them, they just loved watching all the horses and jockeys, and of course the two big John Deere tractors that smoothed the track and pulled the starting gate.
All the adults were ready to leave after a few races, but the kids were having so much fun, we ended up staying for seven of the nine races that afternoon.
Ross and Madeleine get along so well, apart from the usual sibling spats over toys. At least once a day they get angry with each other and declare "I won't be your friend anymore." Which, of course, lasts all of a few minutes and then they're playing, giggling, crafting, reading, or wrestling. Lately their playtime has involves horses, tractors, and firetrucks - a combination that usually makes them both happy. Ross still loves books and listening to stories. He is very focused and loves to help, whether it's in the kitchen, garage, or yard. We have noticed how he often tries to negotiate with us - if we ask him to do something, he comes back with some revised version of it. He is also, like Madeleine, very much a rule-follower. At his gymnastics class right now, he is always cautious, and ensures that he does every step of an activity. It is so amazing to see how much he has changed over the last year, and it really makes us look forward to seeing him grow and change over this coming year!
What an awesome cake!! Happy Birthday Ross!
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