Jonah at four years, two months

Sometimes I am caught off guard by how quickly Jonah changes.  Physically, he is all long, skinny limbs, which is so different from his baby self.  Intellectually though, he's also so fast and sharp, asking questions I have to seek answers for (thank you magic internet!).  

School, even two days a week for a total of six hours per week, certainly has influenced who he's becoming.  He has a clear sense of friends, a stronger set of likes and dislikes, and a more easy going approach to routines.   By comfortably pushing his boundaries, school is helping him grow. 

He asked, for example, for this hair for wacky day.  It's the hair Laurel likes to give him when they play, and we call it dino head.  (Elijah gets dino head too, but only two horns, not four).  The hair and his cookie monster  shirt together were just the right amount of wacky he said. 

This was taken at a recent school program.  I love it because it shows how much fun he's having.  Jonah loves to sing.  He remembers songs well, whether at school or Sunday school.  He's fun to watch because he is enjoying himself... his mama can forget how naturally reserved he usually is when he's singing for an audience.  

Recently, Jonah spent a whole morning by himself, at work with Curtis.  They had lunch together, and then he came home.  It was, perhaps, the most anticipated three hours of his life so far.  Among other things, he and his dad made these paper airplanes, played in the gym at the armory, and worked on the computer.  Some of the story must be the secrets of a boy and his dad, right? 

This is the more usual situation for Jonah.  He usually has a side kick, or is a side kick.  If I could read his mind, I'd be intrigued to learn what he thinks of the admiration and imitation of Elijah and of the creative energy and force of personality of Laurel.  Maybe it balances out? 

Gymnastics has been a constant for Jonah since we arrived here.  This year has been interesting because he spent the fall in a class by himself, one-on-one with the teacher he's had since the beginning.  Around November, another student, also a boy, joined the class.  The individual attention has given him much more confidence about what he can do.  I sometimes sit amazed at his skill or courage in doing something that even six months ago he wouldn't have considered.  

He loves gymnastics. 

Another development recently is that Jonah has a signature.  These are his valentines, and they show the unique, but completely clear, way he's forming his letters, especially his J.  He's at that exciting stage where he recognizes letters and numbers, and he is also busy learning the rules of the road.  It's important to know about right on red, if you're going to be the safety patrol... 

If there is another great love of Jonah's life, it is trucks and tractors.  We went to the farm implement show last week (it was free!) where there were tractors to climb up in and explore (and candy on nearly every table).  It might have been pure heaven, if his mama were better informed about machinery.  Let's just say we both learned some interesting things about how potato harvesting is accomplished. 

(Photo by MJD Photography)

As we anticipate adding a member to our family, Jonah has become more and more helpful.  Often, he is the most willingly helpful of all the wild monkeys who live here.  But, he also likes things done in a certain way.  I try to keep his blue bowl washed and ready, because that is the one he wants every day, without fail for his breakfast.  I hope that some simple routines will make the transitions ahead easier for him.  

We sure do love him, even when he seems to be growing up at the speed of light! 

Comments

[grannie]

Lucky boy. To be born into a family like yours.
Blogs like this will cause a spike in the price of Kleenex stock.

[Ilse]

You are gorgeous! What a great photo with your oldest boy:)

[Kendra]

Love these...especially the one of the 2 of you...gorgeous!! I am seeing many of these same changes with my J... interesting how the timing can be so similar because of their ages, while at the same time their individual personalities are emerging. Hope you are feeling well!! xoxo

[Cousin Julie]

J you have gotten so big. I love the pictures.

[Christine]

This is so sweet and touching. I often wish you were documenting the lives of my children! I meant to tell you that Z has been asking lately when he can play with J, can we go back to J's house and play with his toys? Isn't that sweet? Wish we could send you one of these birthday party invites. Lego theme. :)

[Elizabeth]

He sure is a different kid from when I first knew him...wow.