It's spring! To get here from Christmas there was snow, Moriarty's birthday, the emergence of deer in our yard, and the cherry blossoms.
We got him an alarm clock that turns green when it's OK to get up. So every morning I wake up the sound of little feet then in an enthusiastic but not yelling voice, "MOMMY, THE LIGHT IS GREEN. LET'S HAVE BREKSTIK". He's taken on a lot more autonomy. He goes to the bathroom on his own and just informs us if he's pooped and needs to be wiped. Last month he came in the living room and asserted, "It's ok. I'm just coming to get the stool for the big potty because I am big now.". I sent him into the kitchen to get himself water, not expecting it to actually work. He came back with a glass of water! He's also initiating more. He came up to Pip and I and said "Hey you guys. I have an idea. Let's play with toys!"
He's always been articulate but his vocabulary is growing and surprising us. Pip bought me lillies and Moriarty informed us "It's in a pot because it needs to be stabilized."...um...yeah. Hot-damn kid. With the growing vocabulary is also coming more mature (read snarky) answers. I knew he'd studied plants at school so I asked him did he learn about plants that day? His answer? "No. The other children did. I wasn't listening." This is the first sign of the "threenager" concept I've heard about.
He is learning a lot at school. We have a couple maps on the wall that we use to talk about where people live and land/water, etc. One night during bedtime routine he burst into song about the continents (though geospatial awareness isn't important). He knew all the words and taught us. They have taught him a few cute/cheesy names like 'Mr Golden Sunshine' that are pretty cute on him. But he's connecting concepts more. Last week Pip and I were discussing going to see the blooming cherry trees, but we weren't sure if it would rain. We decided we'd play it by ear. Moriarty comes to wake me up (like usual) and exclaims, "Mr Golden Sunshine is out so we can go to the BERRY BLOSSOMS". We brought a picnic and had a blast.
The last highlight of the last couple months was his birthday. He wanted fire truck theme again. We had 4 of his school friends over (cousins were sick). The kids decorated cupcakes. Reddit told me this would be disastrous and I was an idiot for trying, but Montessori kids have super focus powers and dexterity. Not a single cupcake was lost. Nothing was thrown or smeared. It was great. I made up a game for Moriarty and his friends called "Put out the fire". I made two large fake fires and we moved them around the yard while sirens started/stopped as they collectively put out the fires. They loved it.
I'll leave you with this last gem. We went to Denny's for dinner because I needed pancakes, immediately. Moriarty had never been and was asking where we were going. He is so effusive with love right now. Partly because I am really effusive about stuff (read everything). So upon hearing the restaurant was called Denny's he informed us "I love Denny. He's a great man. I love him." OMG. I grew this little person. Oh, and he likes to pretend he's a cat. And 'lick my fur' and rub his face on mine. Oxytocin explosion.