A Birthday Interview
Woody's answers were immediate, no thoughtful consideration to the questions. They were enthusiastic, rapid fire, honest responses and all the exclamation points are accurate.
What is your full name? Elwood
Nickname? Woody!
How old did you just turn? 3!
What is your favorite color? Red!
What do you want to be when you grow up? an animal! Ok, what do you want to do for work? sit up front and drive.
Do you have a best buddy? Lochlan and Elena
What is your favorite food? Candy! what else? just candy what about other foods? ummm, quesadillas. I'm a quesadilla man and a bacon man.
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Run around!
What is your favorite thing to do inside? Play! hop around and run around!
Do you have a favorite toy? Bouncy Balls!
What is your favorite fun thing to do with Dad? Wrestle!
With Mom? Wrestle too!
Who is in your family? Daddy! and Tohi and Mommy
What can you do now that you are 3 that you couldn't do when you were 2? I can reach up on the counter cause I'm tall, I'm big and I'm fast. I'm fast and Daddy's fast and you're slow.
Where are you moving to this summer? Panama. I think I want to go there on a helicopter. or a jet. I'm going to help Daddy build a house.
Elwood, you are a joy of life. Most days, you are truly a pleasure to be around. We have so much fun together and it's because you are so fun. You are easy and kind and funny and always up to go do something fun, especially outside stuff. You love all things outside; we will be on a walk or bike ride and I'll hear you say almost every time, "It's a beautiful day out." I always whole heartedly agree because I feel that way too but also because I want to encourage this appreciative trait in you. Yes, every day is a beautiful day.
You have a lot of energy and we joke that you are best behaved when we run you, just like a puppy. You love your scooter and skateboard and are really fast on both. Dad and I ride our skateboard and ride our bikes at a normal speed next to you. You have started standing up on your skateboard a bit more lately but you still prefer to ride on your knees. You are adventurous but not reckless, which I think is a perfect combination. You are brave but you think about your decisions and are not completely careless. You love to climb trees and I see you thinking in your head the best route to get to the highest possible branch. You occasionally need help down but you are getting to be quite the little monkey. You love being a big boy. You like to show your independence and do everything yourself. Which most days we have time for but occasionally I need to help you along and if I explain why (ie we are running late, please let me help you get dressed) you usually comply without a fuss.
You are very social and love to go to school. I hear all about your friends and what you did together. You like younger kids too and are very sweet and gentle with them. We talk about you becoming a big brother and you seem very excited about it. I think there will be a few tough adjustments to sharing your parents but I think you will be a very loving and helpful big brother.
You are crazy for your Dad. Oh bud, you love me too (we have a special bond, no doubt) but you are your Dad's number one fan all day long. You talk about him and want to save stuff to show him and your whole face lights up when he comes home from work or you realize he has the day off. I use this Dad worship to my advantage at times. For example, if I want you to wear your hat or eat something you are resisting I'll simply say, "Oh you look so handsome in your hat, you look just like Dad" or "This sandwich is cooked just the way Dad loves it, spinach in his grilled cheese is Dad's favorite!" Hat stays on and sandwich gets eaten.
You are a pretty tough little guy. You, of course, cry on occasion when you get an injury. However a lot of the time, you just rub it and have a quiet moment by yourself and then you report to me, "I got a boo boo, but I didn't cry! I just shook it off." You love the beach, we go over almost everyday, even if it's just for a last minute run around before dinner. We dig holes and play in the water. It's starting to be swimming weather again and you're getting your ocean legs back. You get braver and braver each day. Getting knocked over by the waves still scares you but you love playing in the waves. We swim and jump in the waves until your little lips start turning blue. You are a good helper. You gather your truck or some other beach toy to help bring the load back to the house. You love to rinse off with the hose and fill the kiddie pool and enjoy some naked time post beach session. You love to chase the lizards in our yard and you recently caught your first one. You and and the lizard were equally surprised. You are very gentle with them, "just like Dad." You are very much a tough little boy. You have your "mean face" which is a scrunched up face that you put on when you want to run fast. You like to be dirty, you love bugs and worms and snakes. You roar like a lion and LOVE to wrestle. You are rough and tumble and starting to actually hold your own when you wrestle with Dad but, buddy, you have such a softer side as well. You are not just "all boy." You are so sweet and loving. You randomly tell me that my hair is pretty or you really like my shirt and you think it looks nice. You give hugs and kisses all the time. In the morning you come in bed with us, and and rub Dad's back and give big hugs and kisses to start our day. You love to snuggle and get cozy together before your bedtime. We still read books and sing and rock before bed and you snuggle in so tight and rub my hands and arms. Then we snuggle you into your big boy bed and you like to hold hands for "three more minutes, because I'm three."
You are empathetic and perceptive. You have always been a very observant little guy, people use to mention it to me when you were younger. The most emotional example for this is when you know I am thinking about Michael. It is very emotional for me to hear you talk about Michael. To hear your sweet voice say that "Michael died. He lives in the rainbows," it's equal parts beautiful and heartachingly sad for me. The other day we were at the beach and it was a perfect day. Perfect temp, slight breeze, hot enough to want to go swimming but the water was still fresh and cool. You were so fun and we had just spent several hours really enjoying each others company, lots of laughs and playing in the waves. It was one of those days that I felt Michael so strongly near me. I never got emotional or mentioned him in front of you, but he was on my mind, in a positive, happy connected way. We were walking back up the beach, hand in hand, and you said to me, "You know, Mom, Michael died. He lives in the ocean now. He swims all around." Your comment took my breath away. It was as if you had read my mind. I teared up and told you I had been thinking about Michael too. We paused and you wrapped your sweet arms around me and gave me a huge hug. "Hugs make you feel not sad." Your little hands lingered on my cheeks and you gave me a sweet kiss. Your innocence and love makes my heart surge with love and pride and gratitude. You are our special little buddy. Dad and I are so proud of you and we love you more than we could ever show or tell you. Happy Birthday, Little Love.
