Four Years Old

K is four and overall continues to be a happy, easy-going kid.  His teachers and other parents often comment on that fact that K is always in a good mood and has a smile on his face.  He definitely uses that smile to his advantage, and often flashes a huge grin as a way to diffuse any situation in which he may be in the wrong.  I think he's on his way to being a full-on jokester.  And he has this crazy cackle that we're hoping he grows out of quickly.  When he doesn't want to do something he doesn't just say "no", he says "no way".

He likes to play games and we spent a fair amount of time this year playing Memory and the Flower Pot game.  He also likes Perfection.  But since Christmas he's been an UNO fanatic.  However he does not like to lose and asks at the beginning of every game if he can win.

He is 'all boy' - he plays hard and seems to have an endless supply of energy.  This year he started playing football (soccer) on Sunday mornings.  He really enjoys it and has a mean kick.  He also loves swimming and is fearless in the water.

Lately K's been really into Cars of all types - matchbox cars, remote control cars, the Cars movie, etc.  At night he loads all of his cars into a bag and wraps his arms around the bag while he sleeps.

K continues to be a total cuddler and will snuggle & nuzzle for however long you want.  He also gives the best, strong hugs in the world.

K and C are playing more and more together, making up their own games and stories which J&I love to see.  But it's not always harmonious between the two of them.  K definitely knows how to push C's buttons...is that what little brothers are for?

K can be hesitant to do new things and gets frustrated pretty quickly, giving up easily or asking for help. When we can convince him to continue and he figures it out he beams with pride.  But it can be hard to get there.  He is a master pouter and the smallest thing can set him off and render him silent.  At times J & I find it really hard to pull him out of it.  We try our best to understand what he wants or to ask him questions but boy can he be stubborn in his silence.  Once we give up and walk away usually something gets thrown on the ground or across the room.

K's working hard on his language development and has been going to speech therapy once a week for over a year now.  His language is definitely improving although he still has trouble with the hard 'c' sound which ends up sounding like an 'h'.  So when asked his name he says "heaven."

Luckily J & I can understand almost everything K says now so this year I was able to conduct a proper 'interview':

Color:  Blue
Friends: Luca, Ayla, Harry
TV Show: Octonauts
Movie:  Cars
Games:  Memory, Flower Pot, Uno
Food: Apples, Steak, Mac n’ Cheese (which he calls 'macaroni' since he doesn't like cheese)
Activity:  Playing with cars, kicking soccer ball
Books:  Dig, Dig, Digging and Poo Bum
Toys: Thomas the Train and Toy Story cars

And for posterity sake, his favorite curse word:  Pants

Happy Birthday, K!  We love you xoxo