SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER...
You might also call me The Christmas Caroling Class Clown :) Mom, Dad and Mawmaws were in for a treat; my class had a Christmas Program and I was standing front row. I am the youngest in my class by at least 4 months. My friends are all between 3-5.5 years old. We worked on memorizing and practicing our songs for weeks at school. There were 7 songs and we sang every verse in each song. The parents were all amazed--they don't even know all the words. I had been sharing the songs with mom at home and she finally had to ask my teacher for a song sheet. She wanted to sing along too.
The minute my class rounded the corner to enter the "stage" I was looking for mom and dad. As soon as I saw mom I grinned and started sharing all the details...in a loud voice of course, "Mom, it's cold outside, brrrr. It's raining outside. We get lemonade and cookies!" Oh, mom wishes she already had the video camera on because that is where the laughter started. Mom has always heard stories about dad and his ways. He had no shine on his private school belt buckle because he spent most of his time standing in a corner rubbing his belly on the wall. Mom saw it all startingagain this day. The songs began and I was interested for about a verse or two. I think I was in shock with all the cameras and video pointing at us. I just started looking around and playing with my jingle bell necklace. Seriously though, what teacher gives a group of kids a jingle bell necklace the day of the show...we had to play with them. Well, that is when I decided that playing peek-a-boo with dad might be fun too. I covered my eyes and then quickly pulled down my hands to reveal a silly face, a smile, an angry face and more. The parents all giggled and my teachers tried to refocus me. Mom and dad just let the camera roll. I am sure they will be using this video later in life to torture me. I was proud of myself and continue to sing all my songs for mom at home. She even captured me on video singing away on the toilet before bath time. My favorite carol is Johnny ol Saint Nicolas, followed by All I want for Christmas is My 2 Front Teeth and Roudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. But my surprises were not over yet...when we left school shortly after the program we were surrounded by snowflakes! What a Houston treat! Mom was big eyed! She wants to build a snowman, make a snowangel and host a snowball fight--maybe next year mom. Mom will post video of my program and my toilet tunes here soon. Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS MICE...
I think I must be the luckiest kid around. Mom is able to check out animals from the Science Resource Center for school. Her Pre-K kids are loving the experience and so am I. First a turtle, then mice...I can't wait to see what comes home next...maybe a snake! Who would have thought that mom would be excited about a rodent? She was though. I think they would make a great pet. I stuck my hand right in and pet them, mom let them roll around at school in a hamster ball and dad played with them too. Maybe we will trade Buster :) He's too big and he licks me--YUCK! Merry Christmas Mice!

ELLA'S DEDICATION...
We would have called this Turkey Day...Take 4, but there was a bigger event here. Ella, Meme and Uncle Mean were dedicated. Ella to the church and her parents to raising her up in a God centered home. It was a quick trip to Tyler and back, but we did not want to miss it. We will always pray for, love and support this extended family. Mom and Meme met in the 7th grade, Dad and Gene in college. It was just meant to be that Ella and I grow up together too. We played in her gated community--she is a walker these days and hid inside her play box. I of course had to act like Ella. I wanted to be a baby too...until big boy stuff was more inviting. Breakfast time was one of those moments. I had a sprinkle donut and chocolate milk. That had to be better than what Ella was eating. She was pretty as a princess and I was a perfect gentleman during the service. I read my books and the hymnal too. I sang songs and listened and when it was over I clearly stated, "I am finished with this church. I want to go to my church with Will and play." At least mom knows I enjoy going. Then we were off to celebrate at lunch and share hugs and stories before we headed back home. This is the part we all dread. We all tear up as we drive away. Best friends should be just houses away...not hours. After I got over the shock of leaving some of my favorite people I was content to watch Bible videos and take naps all the way home. It was a long drive given the holiday traffic. Mom was exhausted and retreated to the back of the van to rest. We really could have used a vacation to recover from our vacation but Monday brought my 3 year old check up with my doctor so the very next morning was rise and shine time.

TURKEY DAY...TAKE 3!...
Whew! I did not want to get dressed up again. I wanted comfy pants and a comfy shirt. Mom promised I could change after lunch and we were off--Turkey Day, Take 3. This time we were headed to Aunt Pat's house. This is the food that mom looks forward too. It is Mamanez style and it took the whole family to get the dressing just right. That was Mamanez's tradition...taste it again and again until you all agree. It took lots of tasting spoons and almost a whole can of sage, but we were close. I of course filled up on chex mix, chocolate. While it all cooked and we all snacked, the family gathered and Shanghai was in play--2 games this year and Uncle Jeff was the big winner. I was busy acting silly with my cousin, Damian. We ran in and out of every room laughing and rolling around. We were quickly redirected...I played Wii baseball and bowling and ran myself crazy...crazy tired that is. The minute we hit the car I was out. I slept all the way to Tyler. It was a peacful ride for mom and dad and I needed the rest.

TURKEY DAY...TAKE 2!...
We were still feeling full from the day before, but we were ready to see Grandpa (aka Pappy, Pops and Pappy-Poppy for belly laughs of course.) Uncle Jeff grilled hamburgers and Donna and Amanda fixed up the rest--I was glad it wasn't more turkey. I spent most of my day lounging in Uncle Jeff's media room. How could mom say no? I could see every detail of my favorite shows on his big screen. I snuggled in under a big soft blanket and let everyone else rush around me. By the time lunch was served I was sleeping. No worries though; mom saved me a burger. When I woke up I was greeted by Amanda's family and had a friend to play with too. Her niece is just under a year older than me. We had plenty to play with while the grown ups decorated the tree. We ended the night with tot sized karaoke. Uncle Jeff and Amanda had to search their I-pods because I was intent on playing rock-n-roll and of course playing the part of the spiky hair guy. My buddy on the other hand danced to all kinds of tunes--she was a girly-girl. We are looking forward to seeing you at Christmas Grandpa. Save your energy because I am ready to run and play!

TURKEY DAY...TAKE 1...
The year has flown by and here we are celebrating Thanksgiving once again. My first Thanksgiving is such an awesome memory for mom. She likes to think about the first time she made it out of the house with me. Thanksgiving was meant to be at Mawmaws house that year, but I was less than 2 weeks old and mom was protecting me. Thanksgiving was scaled down to 6 that year. It turned out to be the day I made my first sounds. I sounded just like a turkey gobbling. Mom's so sweet baby.
This year was a whole new adventure and we of course have so much to be thankful for. Mom tried to throw in bits and pieces of old and new traditions for the Taylor house. She wants me to be able to look back and remember the "we always did..." So we were all inlisted starting with Mom and me making pies to take to Lala's house. Dad was a bit nervous and suggested that mom just buy Mrs. Smith's fruit pies--what was he thinking? He said he did not want mom to be embarrassed when no one wanted to eat them...so sad. Mom was bound and determined to try it. She pulled out the Southern Living Magazines and was on the hunt for 2 great recipes. We had fun! We made a banana pudding pie and a candybar pie. I was in charge of crushing up pretzels for the pretzel crust and Nilla Waffers for the other one. What a job! I think we should make pies more often! It took all day, 2 trips to the store and one goof, but we did it and they were yummy! Dad of course had to take back his comments and eat lots of pie to make up for his lack of faith in mom. See dad...mom's can do anything! They are SUPER WOMAN!
Then we were ready for noodles! Mom inlisted dad to help dye and dry them. It was a whole new experience for him. Welcome to Pre-K dad! This was my Thanksgiving day craft. It was my job to string them into necklaces and then make my headdress too. I was a little Indian boy all day. The fam tried calling me Indian Chief, but I quicky replied "I'm not a Chief just an Indian and that's all." I love dress up, but not turkey day food. Just give me a plate of cranberry sauce, greenbeans and rolls. The relish tray is my friend. Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!...I'm 3!...
Mom had big plans for the first day of my 3rd year, but this year I was old enough to voice my own wishes...and she listened. I wanted to stay at home and play with all my new toys. There were some great ones and I still had gifts from mom and dad to open. I was thrilled when I opened the long awaited cash register. I first spotted this thing in a teacher store mom took me to--I knew exactly what I wanted for my birthday and I got it :) I love counting the money and acting out transactions. Of course we had to go out to celebrate at dinner. I ordered up a Chili's cheeseburger with pickles and tomato and ketchup...no lettuce please. I enjoyed each bite leading up to the chocolate chip molton. YUM!
Stay tuned for my 3 year old details...

HELP...I CAN'T FIND THE BATH WATER!...
Bath time is fun time at our house. I can build a pirate ship, use squirt toys, write a message, change colors of mystery toys, fill buckets and more. In between the play mom finds time to bathe me--I help too. I have my own washrag and scrub parts of me and parts of my toys too. The puppy just might be the cleanest toy in the tub. I make decisions too. I have decided that singing a song while dunking your head to wash your hair is much better than pouring a bucket of water over your head--at least on most days. I take a bit of convincing sometimes. I practice swimming strokes too. I reach and pull, kick, blow bubbles and hold my breath. Mom and I try our best to keep the water in the tub, but what can I say? Splashing is fun and I am all about silly! Silly hair is my favorite followed by catching the tub tornados that appear as the water leaves the tub. I'm fast!

BIRTHDAY'S GALORE!...
Some of my closest friends have birthdays within days of mine. We started of celebrating my 3rd birthday and followed it up with Landon's, Will's and Julia's. It was a busy 2 weeks--we hunted for treasure at my pirate party, flipped and flopped at gymnastics with Landon, bowled and climbed with Will and then bounced our selves silly with Princess Julia. We all had so much fun. Mom enjoyed every minute of talking with the moms and I just played, played, played with all the friends. Happy birthday friends!

ARRRRR...AYE AM 3!...
Just call me Captain Reagan. All my mates met me to celebrate my 3rd birthday. I must admit I did threaten them with having to walk the plank, but there were perks. We sailed the ship, dug for buried treasure and with much effort busted open a treasure box for an edible prize. I loved the theme this year and was thrilled to come in costume. It took the whole family to set the stage, but we made it fighting the wind and cold all along. Brrrr! It suited mom just fine though. It reminded her of bringing me home from the hospital. She went to the hospital to have me in capri pants and a no sleeve shirt and left with me in tow wearing a sweater. November just lends itself to crazy weather...this weekend it was beautiful as long as you did not blow away. So, we dropped our ancor and played pirates in celebration of me turing 3! Yarrrr check out the video for pictures of my friends and fam enjoying the day with me.