Shatto Family: McLleyton @ 2 1/2

It has been a long, long time since I've written about McLleyton. And I know as he gets older I will be bummed, because he is SO much fun at 2!!!

He fills my days with funny sayings and questions. He is constantly making me laugh or shocking me with a random piece of knowledge he has already learned. He is vivacious and vibrant! So full of life, laughter and every fiber of him is such a little BOY!

McLleyton some day it will be fun to tell you what you were like at two... so here's the funny or every day events that come to my mind as I think about you these past few months...

Each morning you start the day off with a thought. You still sleep in a crib. Mostly because you love it and don't want to move out. (and I know once you do you won't stay in a regular bed :)). As soon as I walk in your room in the morning you have a question for me. Some days it's simple- "Has Shaelyn left for school yet? Is Daddy at work?" ... other days it's an activity "Can we go fishing today mom? I want to hit a bucket of balls at the golf course today, ok Mom?" or like last Thursday it's deep ..."Mom why did Judas kiss Jesus? Was he a bad guy mom?" (yes, my 2 year old these were your questions!!) I'm always curious as I walk down to wake you up what your thought for the day will be :)!

You have a passionate LOVE for sports!! Any and all things related to sports you love! You want to watch them, talk about them, play them ... and then watch them, talk about them and play them again! Your first choice of TV viewing is Sports Center (followed by a sporting event, Diego & Curious George :)).

Your sports knowledge...

You know every NFL team by their Logo. Then you can probably name a 1/4 of all the NFL quarterbacks and which team they play for. Green Bay Packers remain you favorite. Your favorite players are Clay Matthews, Aaron Rodgers and Jermichael Finley.

You know all the top golfers. Rory, Tiger, Phil, Bubba ... when I ask what your favorite sport to play is, golf is your answer! You love playing and you really love watching it. You are often the one telling me which club a player is using! Your favorite is "your driver." Now that the weather is nice again you love going with Daddy to hit a bucket of balls! I think you'll be out playing 9 holes soon!

Baseball. You have a greater love for the game than your dad and I combined :). You are making us follow it more! You love the Tigers! You wear your Tigers hat every where and you constantly tell other people who have on Tigers gear "GO TIGERS!" You definitely make a lot of people smile!

Basketball. Daddy is a big Hoosiers fan, so you watched a lot more college this year than Pro! You watched a lot of Big Ten games and figured out what the "March Madness" was all about! It was so much fun to watch the tournament with you and your sisters who have love to learn with you!

Playing... I looked all over town trying to find some sports activity that would take 2 year olds :). I found a soccer class, but that is pretty much your least favorite sport. Then I found a class at the YMCA for 4 & 5 year olds that introduces them to sports. After explaining how much you LOVE sports they let me squeeze you into that class. Thursday instantly became your favorite day of the week! Sports class!! Each week you would learn about a different sport! From flag football to basketball to hockey and rock climbing... you count the days until Thursday! I have to admit it is also one of my favorite hours of the week too. There is nothing like seeing the joy on your face and watching your competitiveness get put to good use! :) Your coordination is not that of a 4 or 5 year old, but your determination lets you keep right up with the big boys!

When your not focused on sports your sisters have made you into a well rounded little boy! You are an expert in all things princess. You have mastered walking in high heels and the pink and purple dress is your favorite one to wear! You have adopted one of Shaelyn's baby dolls and you like to take her on walks right along with your sisters! It makes me laugh :) ... some day I think you'll be a great dad!!

Numbers and Letters ... you've got them down! You know all your letters upper and lower case and 90% of the sounds that go with them. You can count to 30 and identify 1-14 of numbers. All of this has come through just watching your sisters learn and work on their homework. Memories things visually comes very easy for you. You are working on writing letters and slowly improving. The other day you brought me a paper and said look I made a W, O and E ... sure enough you did! Way to go buddy!

Even with all this great sports knowledge and all your great efforts to keep up with your sisters there are still moments when I am reminded you are still TWO! Usually it comes when you fall to the floor crying over the smallest event that didn't go your way! I have to remind you not to cry, to use your words, not to whine ... and that falling to the ground will NOT improve your argument for what you wanted to do :).

You still take a nap each afternoon. Your days with a paci are quickly nearing their end (your 3rd Birthday) and I already know it will probably also bring us to the end of those wonderful breaks in our days! Although they are causing you to stay up later and later ... so it's probably getting to be time!

You are loved!! McLleyton you are such a fun little boy! It's easy to adore you! Your smile and all of those dimples are just the beginning of an amazing little personality and heart! You make your sisters laugh constantly. Your brother loves to wrestle and be close to you and I can only imagine the adventures the two of you will have in the years to come. You adore your dad! You love getting dates with him and it melts my heart to see the joy on your face when he comes home each night! I am blessed to be the mom of such a kind, sweet-spirited little boy!! I love being on this adventure with you!!! Thanks for filling my days with joy, snuggling to watch sports center, practicing bounce passes with me and being Peter Pan while I am Captain Hook! Love you buddy!