William v4.5

Today William is 4 and a half. Hard to believe, isn't it? I have a hard time wrapping my brain around the idea he'll be 5 on his next birthday. 5 sounds so...grown up!

Anyway, I just wanted to write down a few things that are happening with William. Especially since his 4 year old birthday post looks more and more like it isn't going to happen.

William is a delight. He makes us laugh out loud with the questions he asks and the silly things he does. The kids are currently playing REALLY well together. So well that I was able to sleep on our couch for an entire hour the other day while feeling under the weather and my two kids just played together. They play most of the morning and afternoon away happily with very few occasions where I am needed to step in a referee. I know this will not last. I understand this will not last. I know this is probably just a phase, but I am still delighted every time I head Amelia shout "Let's PLAY!" and they both run to get their cars or trains (my poor girl, she loves trains, trucks, and baby dolls).

We bought a pool pass this summer to help manage the heat wave of our summer. This weekend, we had a "short break from the heat" in which the temperature only got up to 94 degrees. It sure didn't feel like a break from the heat! Although with close to ten days of upper 90's/100's, high humidity, and not a drop of rain in sight I should have probably taken better advantage. We're scheduled for more hot this week.

Showing off his "sad" face. I'm not buying it.

All that to say: We have more than got our money's worth out of that pool pass in keeping cool. There's been another side effect. William is enjoying himself in the water AND actually learning to swim on his own terms. It is hard to get accurate video with two kids needing full attention, but we're going to try. Because William has come SO FAR in the last month. It is almost unbelievable if I wouldn't have seen it with my own eyes.

Those blue eyes...

At the beginning of the summer swimming lessons William:

-overall was afraid of the water. Wouldn't get in without prodding. Complained about having swimming lessons, didn't want to go
- wouldn't put his face in the water
-wouldn't jump in the shallow area where he knew he could touch without holding on to someone's hands
-couldn't relax enough to float on his back
- didn't like to be splashed
- wouldn't let go of the adult in the pool
- was afraid of the water slide, refused to try it
-wouldn't jump in and allow his head to go underwater in the deeper area

These are all things he is now willing to do and more. He has gotten so BRAVE and I'm so PROUD!

William is also working hard at learning to read on his own time. He does NOT want me to interfere with this process and refuses to read to me or work on reading. However, he has let it slip on a number of occasions that he knows what the words on signs or in books say. The stinker! I'm just dying to get into a book with him and see where his skills are (teacher mode apparently doesn't ever turn off), but HE WON'T LET ME. It is driving me crazy to be so patient!


We've had our first real experience with not-so-truthful reporting and are dealing with it as it comes. Luckily, four year olds are terrible liars.


I also wanted to throw out there that William is a great help around the house. He loves to help and is actually helpful. He vacuums the laundry and bathrooms with our small Dustbuster, he puts away silverware, shakes rugs, folds wash clothes, takes clothes to the laundry, picks up his toys, fetches the mail, waters plants and does it all with a smile!

Every 4.5 year old should be able to jump on the bed. Also, I'm stumped about what to put over my bed. Suggestions?Tried to get a few of the two...without luck

At least they make me laugh....Hahahahaaaa! This one I'm saving until she is 15. I'm going to need whatever ammunition I can get my hands on at that point. Just look at that face.