You are so. darn. smart. I can't believe how your brain works from simple calculations in your head to naming the alphabet. You remember facts from books you read, devour nonfiction, recount your learnings from preschool regularly, and show an interest in how things work. You have your daddy's attention to detail and precision. Building things and, of course, taking them apart brings unbridled joy to your face. Recently, you have really gotten into jigsaw puzzles and will spend an unbelievable amount of time (for you) focused on putting them together. The harder the better.
We love watching you in all of your activities. You are a rockstar gymnast and have really gotten to be a star student both in skill and behavior (thank goodness!). You missed SO much gym this fall and winter because of how sick you've been and the days you DID go you often had a lingering cough. We would have to remind you "No RUNNING! Take it easy! Go slow!" which is not easy for you, my child who lives in fast forward. You are still enjoying ballet but I have a feeling that this will be the last year for that as you have recently started...HOCKEY! Ever since we went and watched our good adult friend play last year you haven't STOPPED talking about how you want to play hockey. So, just this past week you had your first time on the ice. Padded up and wearing a green sweater. And shiny new hockey skates. Clinging to a stack of home depot buckets for an hour. And you had a grin on your face and it was delightful! 10 more weeks and I have a feeling this might be your sport. We'll see. You certainly have all of the gear for it.
You love your sister most of all. You miss her when she's at school and love to play with her the minute you're home. In the morning you two are often busy playing before she leaves if cartoons are not on. You idolize her. You drive her nuts. You can be rough and sweet and kind and push her buttons all within a ten minute time frame.
GAMES are your absolute favorite. Candyland is the one you choose over anything else, much to everyone's chagrin. You've also gotten pretty great at Uno and Go Fish and have recently fallen in love with Monopoly, Junior. We play games together as a family most nights after dinner and often times during the day when Z is gone at school. It's definitely your choice when it comes to leisure activities.
And, of course, being outside makes your soul sing. You play in the backyard for hours, trading between climbing in the play structure with Zoë and working in the yard with Daddy with your own wheelbarrow. You do it rain or shine, clothed or in your birthday suit. You relish in the time you have outside during nature preschool, too. Again, on days you have a bad cough it is hard to tell you to take it easy and slow down because I know running down hills and in circles around the schoolyard are your favorite. "Do I have to wear shoes?" is a common question from you...or "pants? or clothes?" Today you insisted on playing outside naked except for your open swimming robe. I fear the amount of sunscreen we will need this summer.
Most of all, you are still our incredibly charming little boy with more funny faces than anyone I know. Your tantrums are fierce but becoming less frequent. You are kind and the most generous member of our family (you and Daddy are tied for that title). We can't imagine our family and lives without yours and are so thankful you were born.
