Luca - THREE YEARS OLD!

Luca is three years old - here is the reaction shot after he discovered his new BIRTHDAY KITCHEN.

We asked him to pose in front of the kitchen for a photo and this is what we got.

Luca with his helium balloon and cardboard box helmet - YES.

We returned to the birthday cake of his first year - chocolate and beetroot!  As was requested (well, the chocolate bit anyway).

Annick was all ready for the party!

Blowing out the candles one at a time.  Spittle heavy too.

Annick knows how to eat birthday cake the proper way.

Les cadeaux!!  When asked what he wanted for his birthday, he always said, "more duplo", so here is more duplo (see also awesome Ferrari from Kheng ee on right).

Un livre a peintre de Nonno!  The verdict on this was a very enthusiastic "Nemo!  I like this one!"

Nonna sent a tuque which Annick took a PARTICULAR shine too, but she is all about the tuques these days.

Les aimants "L... U... C... A... Luca!"  Merci Nonna!

And another favourite - little yellow bus from Nonna also.

YET MORE DUPLO.   Thank you Ah Ma and Ah Kong!

The next day, actually playing together and nicely in the kitchen.  Luca shows Annick how to, er,  roll out the stovetop.

Little yellow bus definitely goes inside duplo recycling truck.

New tuque, check!  New jacket, check!  Bag for carrying things, check!  Bonne fete ti-gars, nous t'aimons FORT.

Annick - 12.5 months, Luca - 35.9 months

How time flies.  Luca is NEARLY THREE.

Annick:
- came home from daycare the other week with a finger shoved firmly up one nostril.  I'm sure that's not what they meant when they said there was an early childhood education framework, but at least she's learning things.
- got ANOTHER cold.  And then ANOTHER.  And then ANOTHER.
- trying to stand on her own, but squatting and doing some wobbly little perches
- has learned that she can point with both hands at the same time
- we are pretty sure she can say 'yeah' in response to queries

Luca:
- VERY excited that it is his birthday soon
- when mama or papa are mad and tell him off, he tells us "I too sad" (and gets little sympathy for it)
- settled into the new daycare and is now "one of the kids"
- having some very cheeky naughty times
- is all about the aeroplanes and the dump trucks
- is never happier than when supplied with a good number of empty cardboard boxes for 'making a Costco'.

I will be very sad to lose Luca's toddler vocabulary.  I will miss:
- the way he says 'lyutel' instead of 'little' ("it's a lyutel truck, mama")
- bundt instead of butt ("lala has a big bundt" is one mysterious phrase he came home from daycare with)
- stump instead of step ("I go get my stump for washing my hands")
- tattoo for thank you
- pickanick for picnic

Annick draws...

...stands...

...and squats like a champion.

Luca is a serious librarian.

Annick has discovered the joys of a good lamb rib.

Luca builds a Costco!  Please note red skinny jeans.

Zzzzzzzz...

Annick likes to make sure there is a driver in the van before making the vroom vroom.

One night they were making a fuss for a long time after going to bed and we finally went to check on them only to find Luca had decided to empty the entire bookshelf into Annick's bed.

Ah ma and Luca at Wombat Bend!

Annick at Wombat Bend!

Annick marabou.

But not always.

OK, NOW Annick said...

'car'

The 'bath/bain' attempt a few weeks back appears to be a flash in the pan, whereas she has been saying 'car' pretty consistently since at least yesterday.  Annick, smashing gender stereotypes since 2013!

Annick ONE YEAR OLD!

Bonne fete, Ladybaby - tu es tellement belle.

Merci Nonna pour mes beaux cadeaux!!  J'aime beaucoup le bracelet, mais je l'ai brisee deja.  Surement maman va le reparer pour moi.

Thank you Ah Ma for the Ugg boots!  I will get used to them soon and will not always cry when I put them on.  I very much like the leggings, pyjamas and especially the bowl and spoon.

Annick makes do with leftover apple pie for her birthday cake as mama only had energy for the one big one last fortnight.

One year old Annick still loves vehicles very much!  Vroum!!

Coquette.

And Bee Ching Ee visited!  Is this the best photo or what??

Meanwhile, what's Luca up to?  Having a picnic with Stephen Harper and Cocottine.