I had a moment the other day. At the half marathon this past weekend somebody offhandedly made a comment about my two kids and mentioned that they're six and four.
Somehow, saying I have a six year old and a four year old makes me feel a lot older than the actual number of my own age does. But there you have it: I have a six year old and, as of last week, a newly minted four year old.
Jonathan was thrilled to turn four last week. He enjoyed every aspect of his birthday, from the presents to the cupcakes to the lunch out with me and Eric. Mostly, I think he is just happy to be four. He told us the night before his birthday that when he turned four BB would stay in his bed during the day. So far he has made good on that promise--he hasn't even needed reminding.
At four, Jonathan is enthusiastic and energetic. He started preschool last month and within days made a new best friend. Jonathan and Harris are inseparable at school and we've already had a few playdates. Jonathan's favorite school activities are playing in the sandbox, taking walks with his teacher and creating things at the art table. The kid loves art, particularly anything that involves scissors and tape. Part of this is due to Matthew's influence, I am sure, but Jonathan has ideas and an attention span that are all his own. In fact, I sometimes worry that Jonathan's attention span for certain things is too short, but when he's drawing or cutting he can amuse himself for quite awhile. I've been noticing, too, that he seems to have an appreciation for animation--not just in the way most kids will sit and watch something on TV or YouTube; it's almost as if he studies it and really pays attention to the technique and the colors.
Jonathan also really enjoys music, particularly the Beatles music we've been playing lately. Inspired by the Beatles Rock Band game, the boys have been asking me to play Beatles songs in the car. Jonathan can often be heard singing "Come Together" or "Yellow Submarine" to himself as he plays with his toys.
Jonathan is also very typical for his age. He hates holding hands in public and gets upset when he doesn't get his way. He complains about walking to school with Matthew. He has difficulty with transitions when I tell him it's time to go somewhere. I've noticed he sometimes makes up stories about what he has done at school--things I know can't possibly be true. He hates vegetables.
Jonathan really shines when he is given one-on-one attention. He enjoys our days (Mondays and Wednesdays) at home together and is happiest when I am playing with him. Last week he was especially happy to have lunch out with me and Eric without Matthew. He loves being given the opportunity to choose which movie to watch or book to read. He basks in attention from others and is very nurturing toward things that are smaller than he is, like Roz and his younger cousin. This sensitivity also comes through when he is scolded or his feelings get hurt. A couple of weeks ago he cried and got upset when Roz hissed at him when he thought he was playing nicely with her. And he cried when he realized he told Eric what we'd gotten him for his birthday. He has a sweet, sensitive spirit.
Some of Jonathan's favorite things are games, gluten-free treats (he is always excited when he gets pizza or cupcakes), bunnies, penguins, Disneyland, playing trains, drawing, going to the movies, visiting Grammy and Poppa in Fresno (or having Grammy visit us here), playing outside with Matthew, making paper airplanes, being read to, helping in the kitchen, watching TV (right now he likes Phineas and Ferb, Charlie and Lola and Jungle Junction--all on the Disney Channel), anything that makes him seem "big" like Matthew, school, the Beatles, playing cars, BB, Legos, any of the Pixar movies, and "special boy nights" with Eric and Matthew.
He dislikes vegetables, dogs (not as much as Matthew though), being left out of things (whether it is playing with Matthew and his friends or not being able to eat a treat at a special event), being ignored when I am helping Matthew with his daily reading, going to the grocery store (most of the time), picking up his toys and when Matthew hits him.
It is especially sweet to me that Jonathan--though he is a "big four year old"--is still my cuddle bug, the same sweet snuggler he was when he was a baby. He still thinks nothing of giving me hugs and kisses or climbing into my lap to read a story. I hope he's never too big to cuddle with his mom.
newborn:
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four:
