Chloe is Turning 3 in Ten Days!

Chloe is turning 3 in ten days, and we have seen amazing development over the past year! A formal update will come on her birthday. But for now, one big development is her verbal skills, her reasoning skills, and her imaginative play...which is the most fun.

Chloe says something everyday that cracks us up and asks the most amazing questions that actually stump us as to how to answer. She is doing a ton of imaginative play at home with her animals, dolls and invisible friends (typically named after her friends Amelie, Harper, her cousin Ben, and lately her teacher Dara. She often pretends to be Dora or Snow White and says sternly, "No Mama, I'm NOT Chloe, I'm Snow White!".

Some other fun recent quotes...

"Mama, you're going to hit that car" (while pulling into a parking spot).

"Mama, why doesn't the Easter Bunny visit grown-ups?".

"Mama, when I'm a grown-up, I can use mascara"..."When I'm a grown-up, I can drive a car"

"Girls are nice, and boys are rough"

"No school, no daycare, no work, Mommy and Chloe day!"

"I have an idea...I can eat my supper and then we can have ice cream!"

"Mama, worms have no ears, no legs , no eyes, and no nose...but they have a mouth, yes."

"Mama, I don't want any stories, or want you to tell me something tonight, I need to go to sleep so the Easter Bunny can come"

An interesting blurb about 3 year olds:

Been asked to set an extra place at dinner for an imaginary friend yet? As many as half of preschoolers have a pretend buddy. These phantoms don't mean your child is lonely or maladjusted. In fact, kids with imaginary friends are more likely to grow up to be creative, cooperative, sociable, independent, and happy.

An imaginary friend can be human or animal and usually comes with a name and distinct personality. Part confidant, part playmate, part protector, and part scapegoat, they help kids practice relationship building and let them be in control for a change. A pretend friend can be a child's way of handling an increasingly demanding, expanding world.

Watching your child's interactions with her imaginary friend can give you useful insights into her fears and stresses. If her imaginary playmate is afraid of monsters under the bed, then your daughter may be, too.

Although it's wise to be respectful of your child's imaginary friend, try not to get involved in the relationship. For example, avoid using imaginary friends as a way to manipulate your child ("Harvey ate his peas, why can't you?"). Instead, follow her lead. She knows deep down this is an imaginary creation, and it can be a bit alarming to her if you buy into it too readily. These extra members of the family usually disappear by age 7, as your child becomes immersed in the very real-life world of school.