Kswl -" A few of my friends have small children and I also have a nephew close to DS’s age. We see them on a pretty regular basis. He seems to be getting to an age where he really enjoys being around other kids and gets excited when I tell him we’re going to see so and so today. Unfortunately there aren’t any small children at our church. “Getting together with other kids is a double edged sword, though, because it may or may not be that much fun for your kid.” There is one little girl that he doesn't seem to mesh with and I've limited contact. She’s friendly but VERY in his face. Until recently he would completely ignore her. I found his reaction interesting because he wouldn't do that with anyone else. I’m not really looking forward to all that comes with school. I’m mainly talking about the interaction with other kids and their families. I’m praying to find balance so I’m an informed parent, but not a hovering, smothering one as he grows. Arcy - Ah, memory games is something I've been meaning to start doing with him! I agree with you about the computer games and tv. We actually only have one computer and our phones are stripped down basic phones. I got rid of the internet and texting quite a few years back (DH never cared to do either). I know I would certainly get used to and enjoy a fancy phone, but I honestly find it challenging enough to manage my time wisely without the extra distraction; which is what it would be for me. As for technology, at some point I know we’ll need to make some adjustments or be left in the dust. Roseabbey - Thank you! We try to see that he has that interaction with small kids most weeks. He loves to sing and dance! I've noticed he’s starting to ‘joke’ around more recently which is pretty cool. We’re really seeing his personality come through. Deeinohio - I didn't think about a library because ours are pretty far away, but I don’t mind a drive. I’m going to look into that! The age thing is blowing me away too! Bestyears - “Make everything hands on and fun.” Sounds good. He really likes to help so we’ll keep going with that. He gets a kick out of helping unload the dishwasher (counting silverware) and when I announce I’m going to vacuum he excitedly puts his toys away and runs to pull out the kitchen chairs! Great ideas! Annie - “I learned to read by the time I was 3…” That’s awesome! “my cousin has a computer game on the ipad which his son started using before he was 2 that was already putting sounds to the letters and he was learning to read words.” See, now this is when I start to question if it’s time to buy an ipad. Of course I wouldn't use it as a keep busy for him, but having a program with the sounds and letters in some type of format sounds like it would be better than me doing it. I’m having a hard time finding the words for what I’m trying to say here so I hope it makes sense. Thanks for the link! Great article. From the link, “…literacy experts emphasize the importance of natural conversations with children, asking questions while reading books, and helping children identify words during playtime.” That’s good to know. In the past I wondered if that was enough or if I should be breaking out flash cards and doing more, but when we started making a conscious effort to talk with him more about every day things and would ask him questions we discovered he knows, and understands, much more than we realized, or that he can even express. Tina - I’m going to check out the libraries! I think he’d like being involved with activities there. I was asking about how kids are tested recently, but need to find someone closer to our area. Anele - Yes, there have been days of seeing the good old ABC Mouse commercials that it left me feeling like a slacker parent until I really thought about it! Pfft. I like the make a book idea. Thank you for the link! I’ve never seen her site before. Great post! Daisychain - I will definitely look at the Curious George section on PBS. Bpathome - We may end up sending him to preschool before we planned. We’ll keep an eye and see how he continues to progress. Nhbabs - Thanks for the additional ideas. We don’t have a sandbox yet, but have been talking about that. He loved the beach and I’m sure he’d really enjoy it. I wish I could get him to stay standing on a chair to ‘help’ with cooking, but that’s one thing he’s currently not interested in. Roarah - “more time on the basics like self zippering and tying shoes. It amazes me how so many three year olds who can read can not zipper their own coats or put on mittens and hats.” I just had this conversation with someone the other week and realized this is something I want DS to be able to do earlier than later. I wish more shoes would have strings instead of Velcro! The few he owns with strings are almost too short for me to tie. I may have to purchase longer ones in the future. Lyfia - Matching socks, sorting, etc. are things I never thought about either. Thanks! Lots of great ideas - loves the idea about money, comparing, and scale reading, etc. Tishtoshnm - Thanks for the book recommendations. We have a Melissa & Doug chalkboard/dry erase easel and he currently seems to prefer this over coloring with crayons. Myfoursquare - I’m hoping he takes more interest in coloring. I really enjoyed it as a kid. Mtnrdredux - That sounds great that you were both able to help in the class room at preschool. Thanks for sharing the stories about how your two sides learned at different rates. There were lots of wonderful thoughts and ideas here that I plan to incorporate. We’ll focus on keeping it fun. A big thank you to everyone!

If you are putting him in an acredited day care he will be stimulated, because they have activities for their charges. Some things my grandsons do at daycare are painting, crafts, story time, and interaction by play with other kids as well as outside play. These activities are always supervised and the daycare workers spend time interacting with the kids too. My grandsons and my friends grandchildren love daycare. If you are asking will one person will dance attendance on your child that won't happen, but he will get stimulated play and sometimes be left to play with other kids. However just getting someone to watch your child is a crap shoot. Some will do things with the child and others will plunk them in front of the TV. If you do your homework though, Daycare can be a positive experience

Senosry activities are great at this age. Fill a small blow-up pool with water and dishwashing liquid and give each kid a straw & let them blow bubbles. The next week, fill it with small plastic balls and let the roll around in it. The next week, feel it with shredded, crumpled up paper and let them squirm in it. The next week, fill it with dry beans and rice and give them lots of cups to pour it with. The preschool where my older 2 kids went specialized in sensory play and they were so creative. They didn't do structured crafts, but everything was approached from a sensory perspecitve. Try to think that way for this age group and they will love it. Other things I remember from that school - when they are outside, give them big paintbrushes and buckets of water and let them "paint" the building. Give them buckets of soapy water and sponges and let them "wash" the windows. And, of course, PLAY DOUGH and rolling pins and cookie cutters is the #1 hit with that age.

My favorite Christmas gift is one I won't be able to fully enjoy until next Christmas but I have an entire year to look forward to it!! We have an arm of the family - my sister's middle daughter and her spouse - that has considerable wealth. They are extremely generous and three years ago they hosted the entire family - 28 of us - to an all expense paid Christmas vacation in Mexico (an all-inclusive resort on the Mexican Riviera). Next Christmas they are doing the same and made the announcement Christmas day!! The first trip was a magical experience and everyone enjoyed it immensely. Some of the family is getting on in years and the ability to travel much is diminishing. We have actually lost one of the original members in the past year and this may be the last time that we can get the whole extended family together once again, as they are scattered across the country. And my daughter had just started a new job the last time and couldn't join us but she will be with us this time!! My nephew is the big planner and he delights in putting these extravaganzas together. He plans outings and adventures, plans parties for our two Christmas time birthdays (24th and 28th), gets the resort to put on an amazing Christmas dinner (last time was on the beach with bonfires and our own mariachi band!!) and derives year long entertainment doing all the planning and ironing out the logistics. I can't wait!! Mexico in December is heavenly! We are indeed blessed :-)