Three is the Magic Number

My annual birthday post is a bit late this year but better late than never.  Here is an update on our growing girl..........

July 25th has rolled around once again and Hammie is officially 3 years old.  The three year mark feels significant in many ways.  Our little girl has become just that, a little girl.  She has almost completely made the transition from baby to kid and I'm reminded of it every time she counts flowers, (or fingers, or people, or noses, or bugs, or pretty much anything you can count) climbs to potentially dangerous heights, and inquirers about the world around her ("what", "why" and "how" have become common words in an impressive vocabulary).  Hammie is gracefully accepting her new status as a "kid" by cutting the last remaining ties with her "fluff-fluff" (aka pacifier, binky, napp) and having fewer and fewer "accidents".  I know some Aunties that will be very excited about Hammie's ability to use a toilet.

Hammie can be quite insightful and when she's not asking questions it's because she already knows what's going on.  From the mechanics of cutting vegetables ("hold the handle, not the sharp part and push down") to the working of human emotions ("she's sad 'cause she misses mommy/daddy") she is an astute observer of the world around her and takes it upon herself to educate her poor Papa, just in-case I didn't know.

Hammie is also incredibly imaginative.  She can often entertain herself for long periods of time by playing with common things around the house (blanket, chair, pillow, plates, cups, etc.) and her imaginary mouse and cat friends (their names are Ella and Maria and despite conventional wisdom they get along marvelously).  I often stand in the doorway listening and watching as Hammie weaves a magical little world for herself.  I usually try to avoid being seen so as not to disrupt her adventures but sometimes I'm lucky and Hammie invites me to join, updating me on the current happens and telling me what role I'll play.  I usually serve as the voice for one or two friends (usually the cuddly stuffed kind, sometimes the imaginary ones)  but I'm often corrected when I'm "not doing it right" and am occasionally banished back to the doorway.  Hammie rules her imaginary kingdom with an iron-fist (small though it may be).  

When not bossing us around or frolicking in her own little world Hammie is learning new things and helping out her mom and dad.  Cooking is one of Hammie favorite things to help with and while the meals prepared together with her are messier and take longer they end up tasting a bit better.  I've come to the conclusion that spices added with a tiny hand add more flavor than those added with a normal sized hand.  I'll have to do a proper scientific experiment to substantiate this claim but until then I'll go the route of politicians and pundits and just make the statement with enough certainty that people will believe me.

On top of cooking Hammie also helps with cleaning (vacuuming, dishes, laundry) and is a valuable helper when her dad takes her out climbing.  I do generally have to chose areas that aren't too far of an approach but Hammie is now capable of carrying her own weight most if not all the way.  I've even recruited her to brushing up new boulders and it won't be too long before she can carry an extra crash-pad and give me a much need spot on some sketchy high-ball.  Or more likely I'll be spotting her while she cruises my project.

I still can't believe how fortunate I am to have such an amazing daughter (and wife for that matter).  I can go on and on about the many things Hammie does that makes her special or melts my heart but I'll spare you.  It's impossible to state how much I love Hammie and how happy she makes me but I reckon many parents out there know exactly how I feel.  I believe Hammie is the greatest thing in the world and I'm ecstatic that I get to be her dad. 

Here are a couple picture of my little girl on her 3rd birthday

 A birthday waffle in the morning

And an amazing ice-cream cake made by Lina

Big 3

Hammie is excited about something

 Our birthday girl

Yeah!!!

P.S.

Hammie and I are looking forward to our upcoming trip to the States (Aug 27th to Sept 17) where we'll visit family and friends in CO, NM and AZ and eat lots of pie (Pie Festival Sept 8th!).  Unfortunately Lina won't be joining this trip but our whole family with make the annual exodus from icy Scandinavian this winter.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone State-side.  Good times will be had.