two and a half

My "big boy" turned two and a half this past week... or "two un-half" if you're using his preferred pronunciation.  I was going to try to make this a coherent post with actual paragraph structure and everything, but I guess my mind is having a hard time wrapping itself around the fact that he's now closer to three than to two.  Plus, I haven't blogged in a really long time (I know, I know).  So it'll be a little more of a stream of consciousness.

At two and a half, Daniel...

... will tell you every chance he gets that he is a "big boy".

... frequently utters the phrase "my do it myself!" 

... hasn't fully grasped the proper usage of pronouns (see previous).

... loves to do puzzles and is very good at them.

... has a bedtime routine consisting of reading two books and having a "big talk" with Dad.

... refuses to let us tuck him into bed, because he has to close his door himself.

... has a good time playing with his friends at school twice a week.

... loves to play any kind of ball, including his own invention, "hall ball".

... is a great big brother to Baby Ben.

... is better than anyone at making Ben laugh.

... is so much more verbal than he was a few months ago - it's so fun seeing how his mind works.

... would probably watch Thomas the Train all day if we let him.  Curious George is a close second.

... loves to build with blocks and legos.

... enjoys chatting with his grandparents via webcam.

... can count to six, but often transposes three and four.

... is learning his letters, with his favorites being D for Daniel, and B for Ben.

... gives amazing bear hugs.

... is loved a whole lot.

Happy two-and-a-half, Daniel!