Threenager

Miles turned 3 and we had a big party to celebrate. Pictures not back yet but will post in the future.
At 3 his personality is that of a charmer. He is in a good mood, singing laughing or just being pleasant most of the time. He likes to please me and he likes to know what rules are and be recognized for doing well. He also likes to point out to me when other people are breaking rules.
For example I told him that people need to wear helmets if riding bicycles and motorcycles. In Florida we saw a lot of motorcyclist without helmets because there is no law there. He would point them out and I said one time "his mommy would probably not be happy to see him with no helmet". EVERY DAY since then he scans the road for people and either says "look, look, that guy over there is wearing his helmet! His mommy is probably happy of him". Or "look, he is not wearing his helmet, his mommy is probably not very happy of him". And it is said in a woeful voice that is so sincere if the rider has no helmet.
He is adjusting really well to school and is excited to go everyday. His appetite has lessened considerably since his 2's when he was like a termite. He is not as open to new foods. Today he refused to try apple pie. So he totally missed out on that.
He has moments more now of being willful, not wanting to be told what to do. But he will still comply. Usually my best tactic is to ask him to do something but be ok with him taking about 10-30 seconds to do it because he has his pride. Not sure if I should be demanding instant obedience or not. I tend towards avoiding a power struggle with him because I feel that once we have a falling out he tends to be more difficult the rest of the day. I also think it's ok for him to think things are his idea and want to empower him to believe that brushing his teeth or picking up his toys are his ideas and preferences vs that he is bending to my will.
Some of the more tiresome behaviors now are mimicking children who are doing annoying things, stalling before bed (need water, blankets are messed up, one more story) and having a crying fit before going to bed.
He is not a fan of taking on the phone. He asks me to buy EVERYTHING HE SEES ON TV COMMERCIALS for kids! I ask him what it is "I don't know what it is.". And "I don't know what it does" and "I not know what I like about it". Then he is on to the next commercial. Same with toy catalogs. He loves to look at them and pick out things he likes and wants. It's really cute. He mostly wants to talk about them and we spend lots of time looking at things in catalogs.
He sleeps in his own bed still and he loves to lie in bed and read the books that I read him for bedtime story after I'm done.
He sometimes screams this high pitched scream when he can't get his way and it's really annoying. He is still super loving to me especially for his age compared to his peers. And he is a bit cocky because he knows he is cute and how much the other moms like him because he is well behaved. He will tell his friends "Cameron, don't hit your friends". Or "Kent, I don't think that you are making a good choice right now".
I love love how present he is with whatever he does. Just so engrossed. I long for that clutter free mind of his.
I feel satisfied a lot with how he is advancing but always anxious about the future.