Oh how I adore this age.
I feel like I was born to mother a three-year-old. Where imaginative play really takes off, and the little tackers have enough attention span and interest for glitter and glue. It’s a time of cubby houses and understanding movies, to sit and read and absorb books, and to interact with peers. They can eat without obliterating the entire house, and their conversations are hilarious.
Of course, on the flip side they’re obstinate, wilful, defiant, unrealistic, unreasonable, incapable of controlling their own emotions, unsure of how to safely and appropriately express anger and frustration, and prone to tantrums. We’ve even had a few that involved Abby throwing herself on the floor in dramatic fashion (I know! that face! So innocent. You can’t imagine it, can you). Fortunately for me I feel as though I can talk her down pretty quickly and we are yet to really have a huge blowout. Occasionally I’m taken aback at how childish some of my reactions are to her obstinate unreasonableness. I can usually catch myself and apologise, but wow – they really test you these wild little guys!
I love listening to her chat away to herself, and to give voice to her teddies and toys. She sings in mangled preschooler fashion, and asks incessant questions all day long.
Incessant.
All day.
She is equally as kind and generous to her small sister as she is selfish and unwilling to share. Only time and practice can redress that balance.
Three means unprompted “I love you, mummy”s and couch snuggles. It means jumping in muddy puddles, drawing those funny round shapes with sticks and calling it people, sneaking cookies, getting excited about the Easter Bunny, wiping their own butts, learning books off by heart, being unconcerned about cold weather, appreciating when you do nice things for them, and wild, unbridled joy when doing something they really love.
It means dumping all their pencils out all over the floor every time they use them. It means asking for broccoli for dinner but still not going anywhere near anything in a bowl at dinnertime. No soup, no apple crumble, no spaghetti that isn’t red. It means trying cucumber and liking it, and mispronouncing “penguin”.
Three is a barrel of fun with just enough anti-social toddler behaviour to keep you on your toes. And constantly buying more paint.
Robyn (Mrs D) says
May 9, 2014 at 7:25 amAw I totally agree!! Three is such a cute age! I’m so glad I’ve still got one little three still to come before they grow up in a blink! Enjoy it Stacy coz 4 is not so great!! It seems to skip a year and we’ve just getting into 5 and I’m loving it xx
Veggie Mama says
May 9, 2014 at 2:10 pmHaha I heard three was to be feared. I’m appalled at how fast things are going, and before I know it they will be in school. Lucky I’ve got another one to go yet 🙂
Lila Wolff says
May 9, 2014 at 9:32 amYou’re a beautiful mama Stacey.
We’re nearly at three and it is lovely. Listening to her sing wincy wincy spider in the bath right now and it’s so awesome.
Veggie Mama says
May 9, 2014 at 2:09 pmwincy wincy! THE CUTE!
Nikki | Styling You says
May 9, 2014 at 11:09 amHappy birthday VB1 … beautiful girl, beautiful Mama xx
Veggie Mama says
May 9, 2014 at 2:09 pmShe had a ball 🙂
Angie@TheLittleMumma says
May 9, 2014 at 3:05 pmNawww, little cute face.
Three can absolutely be adorable. And horrendable. It’s everything. It’s Mabo.
You’re doing an excellent job of enjoying the now. Go, you!
Veggie Mama says
May 12, 2014 at 10:56 amThis made me spit my tea!
Angie@TheLittleMumma says
May 12, 2014 at 10:58 amMABO.
Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody) says
May 9, 2014 at 4:17 pmHappy Birthday VB1! Super duper well summed up. My boy turns 4 next month and all of those things you’ve mentioned are completely applicable to our home life. Also, high five for them wiping their own butt!
Veggie Mama says
May 12, 2014 at 10:56 amWell we’re not quite there, but it’s a start!
Naomi Tsvirko says
May 9, 2014 at 6:37 pmLovely post- she’s beautiful! My little girl is three soon, can’t wait 🙂
Veggie Mama says
May 12, 2014 at 10:56 amThree really is super-fun 🙂
MotherDownUnder says
May 9, 2014 at 7:59 pmI love three too!
Well he is only three and one day old but I love it!
He is hilarious…sometimes intentionally so but mostly unintentionally.
He always picks me flowers.
And he refuse to recognise that ketchup (which he loves) is made of tomatoes (which he hates).
Happy three to Abby!
Veggie Mama says
May 12, 2014 at 10:56 amDid he have a wonderful birthday?!
The Plumbette says
May 9, 2014 at 9:04 pmThree is a gorgeous age. My Esther turns 4 in August and I reckon she keeps getting cuter and cuter. She keeps calling yesterday “the last day” and I can never get enough of her telling me she loves me or responding with “I love you too” when I tell her I love her. Special times and special little people. 🙂
Veggie Mama says
May 12, 2014 at 10:55 amOh that’s adorable! Abby says “I love you as well”, which is hilarious and cute 🙂
Shari says
May 10, 2014 at 9:33 amGreat post – what a lovely age! My niece is 3 and I love all that she can achieve… In a way I’d love for my 13 month old to be there at a that stage, but I know that I have to make the most of where he is… Not to mention the fact that we will have a newborn again in October – oh 3 seems so far away!
Veggie Mama says
May 12, 2014 at 10:55 amhaha three IS far away! Especially when you have babies so close together. But I’m telling you – 18 months is THE BOMB! I love it almost as much 🙂
Annie Berkowitz says
May 13, 2014 at 8:41 pmMy daughter died at 8 years old. And all I have to do now is read about the joys of parenting from a bunch of stupid bîtches, well I hope you slûts experience the death of a child, each and every one of you
Annie Berkowitz says
May 13, 2014 at 8:42 pmMy daughter was sèxually active at 3, because she was raped and now she’s dead.
Lisa Mckenzie says
May 14, 2014 at 2:48 pmGreat post Stacey I am glad you are enjoying 3 xx