When I pick Moriarty up after school we talk about his day. If I don't ask him, he says "Mommy, talk about my day!". After discussing his favorite part and what he did, we often talk about dinner and the upcoming evening. We were playing the 'What is Daddy making for dinner' game and Moriarty trolled me for the first time. I said things like "Maybe he's making pasta. Or tuna fish". Moriarty said "He's making fish....just kidding, he's making pasta. HAHAHAHA". He's also started saying "just kidding" when we're talking other times, or commentary like "that makes me laugh". He's really leveled up cognitively.
He's also really leveled up emotionally. At his school they use the phrase "calm your body" when the kids are being tantrumy or out-of-control. They have the kid sit down or go to a comfy spot and calm their bodies until they're ready to rejoin the activity. It's awesome emotional regulation practice. We try to reinforce it at home. A few weeks ago Moriarty was having a very hard time at bedtime. He was very upset, didn't want to follow his routine, so we cut things short, skipped his milk, and headed for bed. One of his stuffed animals was in another room and he went to get it. When he came back he told me "I've calmed my body. I'm ready for my milk now". All on his own. OMG. I couldn't be more proud.
He's also getting more emotionally effusive and expressive. He tells us he loves us more, often without prompting. He offers more hugs and kisses. I came into his room one morning and he was looking at a photograph of Pip and myself from our wedding. (He has many photos of family he enjoys). He looked up at me and said "Mommy, you are my best friend. And Daddy is my best friend". *Cue heart melting* He's just so sweet it's overwhelming. But also so very innocent. I had a nightmare one night and told him the next morning I had a very scary dream, it wasn't real but I was still kinda anxious from it. He asked me "was someone banging on something?" To him banging on things is about as scary as it gets.
The most fun things for me though has been his excitement about music. He sings constantly. He makes up songs. He can sing many many songs all on his own now (and frequently does when we're not around but can hear him). And he's OBSESSED with his guitar. He uses coins as "picks" and wants to play with it several times a day. We'll come into the great room and find him playing his guitar, wearing sunglasses, and sometimes also naked. (see pictures!) I play my guitar with him sometimes but often he just wants to play alone. We put a nicer ukulele on his Christmas list since the one he has is a toy and won't tune. I want to get him started on really simple chords and strumming because he's so enthusiastic about it. We've been pretty restrictive about TV but introduced him to some Disney recently. Now he sings "Do you want to build a snowman" and "Let it go" all the time. Last month it was Moana. I can't complain. Coolest little kid ever.
Oh, and I'm still a pretty permissive mom.