Ryken is Three

Our Ryken is THREE!

A little bit about Ryken.

He is....

Curious:

 having a desire to learn or know more about something or someone

Ryken is such a curious little boy! He is always quick to ask questions and learn about things that are in front of him or what is happening around him. New noises and objects are intriguing to him and he wants to know more. What people are doing in public or on shows are cause for many questions. We get a lot of "why?" and "what's that?" questions - but we are thankful for his love for learning!

Empathetic:

 the feeling that you understand and share another person's experiences and emotions

Ryken loves to be involved in any and everything that you are doing. He likes to involve others as well. When Ryken is excited about something - he excitedly tells Sorraya! When he knows people are coming over, he wants them to partake in things that are exciting to him. Ryken is a chatter box. He loves talk. He is so friendly and loves to interact with people. He barely finishes telling one stranger about something before he has starts telling another stranger about something else exciting that is going to happen. He also can be encouraging and think of praising people for a good job they have done once a task is completed. He will encourage Chris and I after we have finished a project in the house and he will encourage Sorraya when she is working on learning something new and is doing well or improving. Ryken is aware of many emotions that people display around him or on TV. He will often try to be comforting to Sorraya. He is a sweet and sensitive boy!

Stubborn/Opinionated: 

refusing to change your ideas or to stop doing something and expressing strong beliefs or judgments about something

Ryken is one who knows what he wants and fights to get it. He does not give up easily and his pride makes him fight all the more. He is known to be contrary. He is quick to say what he likes and also what he does not care for. His ability to express what he is thinking can be used positively in building others up, but can also be used negatively in tearing others down. But he is one who will spontaneously tell you he loves you and thank you for something and you know it's genuine!

Perceptive: 

having or showing an ability to understand or notice something easily or quickly

Ryken has a very detailed mind and can remember specifics with little effort. He likes to make connections to places, objects and people. He will see a car driving and say that's like so and so's car. He can be quick to copy others as well. He will play with my hair during church because he has seen dad do it most every Sunday. He will see something which will trigger a memory and bring it up usually with the question of "remember when we...?" When we pass a place driving he will call it by name or talk about what we do there - even if we have only been there once. He knows his rights from his lefts after just being shown once. It's fun to see the details that Ryken see's the world around him with. 

Ryken is a character! You never know what he will do next, ask next, or say next! He loves to pretend and he comes up with some very clever creations to show and share. He loves to pretend to take orders and use the words Sir and Ma'am! :) He likes to push the handicapped buttons on doors. He loves to flush the potty while still sitting on the potty. He likes to make up words. He likes turning on lights with his book - since he can't reach them with his hands yet. He loves helping mom and dad with any and everything. He loves running errands. He gets excited over food. He loves having friends over. He is super sensitive to the sun. He loves forklifts, trains, planes, cement trucks, police cars, school buses, firetrucks and ambulances. He loves baths. He has a blast with his sister, most of the time! He likes to sit and look at books as well as sit and have them read to him. He likes to do anything outside. He loves riding on Dad's shoulders! He still sucks his thumb during naps and at night. He loves getting mail. Trying new things can be scary for Ryken and he is often timid to try. He doesn't always like to follow the crowd in doing what they are doing. He sits well for haircuts. The car wash is getting less and less scary for him. He enjoys play dough. He likes wearing ties and church clothes in general. He loves shoveling the snow. He can open doors now. Ryken is a good sleeper. He did have a spell of afraid of the dark at night, but he is overcoming that. He loves to make orange juice. He likes to dress up with hats and costumes. He loves seeing the fish at Walmart. He loves to go with me and get Sorraya in the morning. He loves when it is time to sing Psalms before bed every night and often ask for another Psalm. Ryken loves his cousins. He loves going to Dad's work. He loves nutella, fruit, hotdogs, pizza and fruit snacks. Ryken loves it when dad comes home and always wants to go down and greet him. Ryken is 100% potty trained  during the day and at night. He loves forts! He loves to go to Costco and enjoy the samples. He loves being chased by dad around the house. He loves playing soccer with dad in the house! He is good at matching socks in the laundry. He does a fantastic job at putting the silverware away when it is clean. And so much more!!

We are so thankful for Ryken and for all the joy that he brings to our family! His heart is sensitive and stubborn! His hands are affectionate and busy! His love is sweet and tender! His smile is so warm and friendly! His laugh is contagious and joyful! Many parts of the day can be challenging with Ryken, but we trust that God will grow him into the man He has created him to be. Ryken see's me at my worst and is always quick to forgive. He is a gift wrapped up specifically and beautifully and given to us by God. We are thankful for him and we pray we have the privilege of watching him grow and learn for many years to come! 

A friend of mine did a birthday interview with her child and I loved the idea to start it on their 3rd birthday when they are a little more capable of answering questions.

I was so excited and curious to see how Ryken would answer and it didn't disappoint! So many of the answers were spot on to what seems to be true in real life, but then there were some that were off!

Birthday Interview

1. My favorite color is: blue

2. My favorite toy is: car

3. My favorite food is: animal crackers

4. One food that I really don't like is: onions

5. My favorite thing to watch is: Curious George

6. Something Mom and Dad always say is: "Eat your food!"

7. My favorite place to go is: Walmart

8. My favorite thing to do with Daddy is: running around with dad and being chased

9. My favorite thing to do with Mommy is: playing with cars

10. My favorite book is: the Bible

11. My favorite song is: My Glory 

12. My favorite thing to do outside is: run and play baseball

13. My favorite restaurant is: Sonic

14. My favorite thing to do each day is: have breakfast

15. Something that makes me happy is: sun

16. Something that is scary to me: animals

17. My favorite day of the week is: and why?: Sunday. Cause we go to church

18. My favorite sport is: hockey

19. My favorite thing about being a big brother is: protecting her

20. What I would like to be when I grow up: a daddy

I trace the kids hand each year and it is so fun to see how much they are growing!

Just to keep things a little more organized each year, I plan to fill out these sheets each year for their birthday's!