Calvin turns 4

If ever there was a boy looking forward to his birthday, it would be this guy.

Lots of fun things were in store once that birthday came.  He started preschool, started soccer, and as he frequently reminds me, he can go to sleepovers now.  (Years ago I arbitrarily chose to tell him that he couldn’t go to sleepovers until he was 4.  Now he’s 4 and I’m still feeling like he’s too young but what can I do?) (By the way, we only do sleepovers with our cousins.)

His birthday was on a Sunday so we had the family over for dinner.  The evening started out a little warm (okay it was hot) but it cooled off quickly and ended up being a really pleasant evening.  Calvin requested chicken and rice for dinner (again) with an additional request of corn on the cob.  He wanted a “Planes” birthday, so Will was in charge of the cake.  He did a great job and Calvin loved it.  He was very cute during the party, leading the kids in the “games” – doggie doggie where’s your bone, and tag.  (He was very specific about what games he wanted to play.)  And once again he was awfully cute with his presents – excited and grateful for everything. 

 

Calvin is such a little ball of energy.  He is LOUD.  He only has one volume.  We frequently stop him midsentence and say “Calvin I’m right here!  Don’t yell!” 

He has been going to preschool for a month or so, and he LOVES it.  He is learning his letters and sounds and all sorts of cute songs that he sings with gusto. 

He loves being a sunbeam in primary.  Yesterday during singing time he raised his hand in the middle a game and (unsolicited) says “I have a great idea!  I know one we can all sing good – Child of God!” 

He had his first soccer game yesterday, although he seemed more interested in playing with his friend and waving to his adoring fans than actually chasing the ball.  He calls his shin guards his “windshields”. 

He still struggles with temper tantrums, but I chatted with his pediatrician about it at his checkup, and he assured me that I’m doing things right and he will grow out of it.  He does seem to be improving.  We take two steps forward and one back, but I recognize that pattern now so it doesn’t frustrate me quite as much, and I can see the progress we do make. 

Speaking of his checkup, he is still big.  90th percentile for height and weight.  I’m excited that he can go on all the Disneyland rides when we go in January (except one or two he wouldn’t go on anyway). 

And speaking of Disneyland, the kids don’t know we’ve booked a trip yet, but we’ve been talking about it a lot.  The other day we got some dinner at JCW’s and they were all so good and grateful and I said “Gosh you guys – when you act like that it makes me want to take you to Disneyland!”  (We’ve talked a lot about how when they’re negative and ungrateful it makes us not want to do things like that.)  Anyway two or three times since then when I’ve praised Calvin’s good behavior he’s said to me “Does it make you want to take me to Disneyland?  And yes, it does. 

He LOVES stories.  I love that he loves stories, since a year ago I couldn’t even talk him into letting me read one to him.  His favorite are Berenstain Bears.  (Hence the game in the picture above, which is actually pretty fun for little kids.)

Calvin is the world’s greatest snuggler.  He climbs up next to me and says “Let’s get some snuggles going!”  He loves to hug and is very affectionate.  Touch is definitely one of his love languages.  The other is time.  He loves to have playmates.  His favorite is sword fighting with Will. 

Four is such a fun age.  I love hearing the cute things he says and his funny expressions and all of the things he’s learning.  It’s going to be a good year.