3 and a Half!

Peyton turned 3 1/2 years old yesterday and is now our big preschooler.  She has adjusted to dropping down to two days a week at school and we have really been enjoying our days together.  We've had picnics at the park (snack or lunch) at least once a week and she enjoys going to the Y and the library.  We really enjoy the occasional play date. The biggest change I can think of is that she is losing some of the impulsiveness and I can be confident to have her walk with me in public places without running off (most of the time!).  She can tell me the rules of our outings - stay by mommy, don't run away, and when it's time to go, we go.  This is helpful considering we never got a triple stroller.  She is fully in the "why" phase and sometimes even I don't know the answer!  :-)  She can almost dress herself without help, still has some trouble with the shirts and when clothes are inside-out.  She is also fully in the "I can do it myself" phase.  Among other things she can use the restroom completely by herself, including turning the light on and off and washing her hands.
She loves to read books and has a great memory, after only one or two nights of reading her library books she can tell me if I missed a line.  She got me the other night with a Curious George book that was hard to read because it had English on the top and Spanish on the bottom and she told me I forgot "and so did George".  Whereever we go people comment on what a good helper I have and she really is.  She opens doors for us (handicapped button), loves to give A & B their drinks and food and is always cleaning up the toys at home.  She'll say "this place is a mess".  Hmmm, where has she heard that from?  She loves to pretend play and performing songs and dances, but she also loves her shows.  Currently we have gotten back on Dora and she still loves Franklin and Olivia.  Occasionally she'll request Bubble Guppies, Jake & Neverland Pirates, Scooby Doo or anything with dinosaurs.  Our biggest challenge has probably been the fact that she thinks she doesn't need to nap at home but her actions around 4pm tend to make us think otherwise!  Even with the challenges that this year brings every parent, we couldn't ask for a sweeter, happier little girl.