This year he started being able to pronounce his Ls. He says "LLLLLLeigh Ellllllen" and "LilyAnna" and "little" and "Legos" with intention and emphasis, and while he was quite proud of himself at first, now it's a natural part of his language.
He loves knock knock jokes, and he thinks they're all funny, even when no one else does. Examples include "knock knock" "Who's there?" "Chair" "Chair who?" "Chair bear wear". Rousing. He sometimes talks about himself in the third person.
He still loves BeYoYo more than anyone. He's protective of him and lets me know when there might be danger. One day the boys were playing together in a store and he started screaming "Mom! Mom! Beyoyo is OUTSIDE!" and sure enough BeYoYo had walked right out on the sidewalk. When I thanked him for letting me know, he puffed up with pride and walked a little taller. He also occasionally hits him for no reason.
He wants to know everything about everything. He asks questions about dinosaurs and human bodies and animals and bugs and nature and machines. He's curious and likes to explore, and he's happiest when he's outside. This summer he got his first bee sting and spider bite.
He knows how to write his letters, and he can sound out a few simple words. He likes school, and he doesn't want to leave his current school to go to pre-k in August. He likes art and centers best, and he seems to be naturally good at math. He's into super heroes and Ninja Turtles, and this year he sold a lot of his toys and worked to earn money to buy a $100 Ninja Turtle lair. It sucks, but I was proud of him anyway.
This year he played soccer and swam on the swim team. He was the smallest on both. For the end of the year circus program at school, he was a strong man and a lion. He rode his first real coaster this year, and he loved it.
When we see someone standing by the road with a sign saying they need money, he wants to stop and give them money or food. But he does not want to give them his toys.
When we're at a store he wants to know what "island" a particular item is on. When he brushes his teeth he calls his gums "gutters". He sometimes talks about the superhero "Iron Peetriot" and he calls naval oranges Mabel oranges.
A special treat for him is getting to stay up late, riding in a parking lot without buckling up, sleeping in our bed, playing with cousins, sweet tea, watching He-man, or eating Fruit Loops. He asks for a "snack lunch" and he loves it when I make his food into art. He talks and talks and talks and talks, and he has some great expressions. This morning he woke up before 6am to tell us that tomorrow is his birthday. Like we could forget.
This week I continued our annual tradition of asking him these questions. Here's what he says now.
How old are you?
"Four and a half and three quarters"
What’s your favorite thing to do?
"Eat cheez-its"
What do you want to be when you grow up?
"Nobody, cause I don't want to grow up."
What’s your favorite food?
"Cheez-its and pepperoni and goldfish"
What’s something you’re good at?
"Playing games"
What makes you laugh?
"Tickly"
What’s something scary?
"a ZOMBIE"
Who’s your best friend?
"Hudson T."
What do you like to do with your family?
"Go to Maher's house"
Where do you like to go?
"Toys R Us. Or Goodwill, or the frift store"
What do you like to learn about?
"Pasta"
Happy 5th Birthday, Boy. Here's to this year being great.
