Skiing, Mercy Truck,, and other Christmas shenanigans

This Christmas found us in Utah visiting Uncle Brandon and Aunt Erin.

Jace had asked Santa for an "RC truck with a remote control" but it sounded more like "A Mercy Truck with Remote Control."  He got that and so much more that was right up his alley!  Since he loves to tow, he got a tow truck with a chain, a remote control crane, and a tablet that were his top gifts.

It's fun watching him open gifts because he is waaaayyy into it.  Ashlynn enjoys it, but it has never been really the same, so watching Jace is a real treat!

He LOVED playing with all of his cousins, and his cousin's cousins, and feeling like he was just one of the boys.  He parrots everything, and imitating them was no exception.

We visited Temple Square and he would NOT hold my hand, but had to hold a cousin's hand instead.
In the hotel, he played in the hot tub and scared me to death in the main pool because he thinks he can swim and he can't.  He kept screaming at me to let him go, not realizing if I do that he will drown!! I definitely need to remember to bring floaties next time!

Finally, he went skiing and his grandma had bought him some new boots and skis. Jace has some sensory issues too, but the opposite of Ashlynn.  Everything bugs him.  He is hypersensitive to textures, tempereature, and if he perceives his shoe as being too tight it's over.  That was the case with his new ski boots.  He wanted to go skiing so bad, but he just couldn't handle the boots that fit his feet.

We finally gave in and had him use Ashlynn's which are way too big when she came back from her lesson and he was happy.  His dad reported he came out of his boot because they are too loose, but he is getting the feel for staying up on his feet!  Look at that smile!

This month, he also adds "the weekend" to every sentence.  We're going to play trucks the weekend, or "I see that the weekend."  

Oh, and every the thespian, he emphatically "really, really" has to do things now.  This trip it was, "Mommy, I really, really have to go potty."  or "I really really need to play with my cousins."  haha.  That kid always cracks me up.

Similies and comparisons...all at age 3

No one should be shocked to know I'm an SLP.  I happen to be incredibly good at grammar, language, and I think,writing.  Honestly, it's my thing.  It is so natural to me and always has been. It's been a huge learning experience to have a child with a speech and language disability.  It's hard for me relate to.  Speech and language come so easily to me.

Jace though.  My little guy.  Even though he is mechanically inclined, he is also really good verbally. Okay, granted, many things he just repeats, but he also comes up with pretty brilliant things on his own.  Sunday he declared that the plate of sausage looked like a campfire.

Listen people.

"The sausage looks like a campfire."

That is a similie!!  I don't know what grade they start teaching similies, but it's not preschool, and he just rolled one off of his tongue.

He also said yesterday,

"A car is faster than a train."

This is not only a comparison, but the language involved is highly complex.  Okay okay, I know.  I'm being an annoying proud mom, but comparitives, particularly ones said with this complex format are not commonplace at 3.

He is so dang smart and I'm so proud.  Now....if we could just stop his incessant screaming!!

We heard a baby in Target today upset and crying.  A mom in front of me with kids my kids' age how soon we forget and how grateful we are that it isn't our kid!  I wanted to relate, but honestly, Jace still screams.......like ALL THE TIME, like that.  It's just now, he has words to accompany the crying.  I think it's just his brilliance, but even though I believe that, it is still VERY challenging as a parent.

Hey! Who turned out the lights?

If I had a quarter for everytime Jace has said this, we would be going on an awesome vacation.  I have no idea where he picked it up, but it was funny and made us chuckle the first 50 times, and now....well....let's just say it's not AS funny.  He is so cute when he says it though.  He'll pull a hat over his head and walk around bumping into things saying it, or whatever.

He also tells stories and let's be honest, lies.  He states things as facts just to be part of the conversation.  I keep trying to teach him about lying and telling stories, but it doesn't seem to curb them.