Five and a half

Thomas is now officially 5 1/2. It seems like so much has happened in these past six months that I have to do an update.

Thomas has been reading small words and short phrases for quite some time now (since some point in his 4s class last year). But in the past month or two, his reading has really taken off. He can read books and words with more than two syllables. It’s almost like he has known how to read for quite some time, but he’s been keeping it a secret from us because he just…reads. He doesn’t really sound many words out (except for the ones he doesn't know right off the bat), he just reads and reads and reads.

Granted, his DESIRE to sit and read by himself is still a work in progress and he still fights us a little bit when we ask him to read a story at night. But he can. And I’m hoping his love of reading will continue to grow as he gains more confidence in his ability to do it.

I have a two-minute video of him reading last night, but I think the file is too big to upload. I edited to a 30-second version that I will post below. This is a book that we hadn’t read in months to him and he has never tried to read by himself. He did need help on a few words (like “gorge” in this clip), but he knew words like squeaking, squealing and panicking, but he needed a little help with “scampering.” :)

I'm having a bit of a problem with uploading videos...but here goes the third try. And if that doesn't work, try here.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

In addition to reading, I’m interested to hear what his teacher will tell us when she gives us his report card on Wednesday and we meet with her for our first parent/teacher conference. From what I see, his fine motor skills still need some work (coloring in the lines and handwriting), but he has improved tremendously. He used to HATE coloring and writing, but now he is actually ASKING us to let him do these things!

I think in preschool he was frequently allowed to give minimal effort in doing these things (which was probably fine for that age), but it was a bit of a rude awakening when his kindergarten teacher started asking him, “Is that the best you can do?” and pushed him to try harder. I’ve started giving him extra “assignments” at home to help him with his focus and his skills, and it seems to be helping him in those aspects and also creating a desire in him to do more of these things. He LOVES to be praised for his hard work and effort; so I think a lot of times he asks to do these things just so he can be praised. Fine with me!

Sometimes he still wants to take shortcuts, but he sticks with it. Last week he wanted to watch a tv show and I told him he had to write “I want to watch television” in his best handwriting first (I wrote it for him and he had to copy it). He kept saying, “Can’t I just write ‘tv’”? Funny boy.

He still loves to dress up and he has now passed this love along to his brother as well. Lately when one or both of the boys are in costume out in public someone will usually say, “Oh getting ready for Halloween?” and I think, “Nope, just a regular day in our house!”

Thomas loves to play and he loves to be goofy. We’re trying to always remind him that there’s a time and place for everything, but in general, I adore his enthusiasm.

In other random news, he continues to be a better eater. Like my mother always did with me, I make him take at least one bite of everything at dinner, and it seems to be working. Now his one little bite has turned into at least three bites and a lot of times, he does it without too much complaint (mostly with vegetables like broccoli, lima beans, green beans—his least favorites). AND, Trey decided, rightfully so, that if we make him eat foods he doesn’t like, why are we letting him not drink milk just because he doesn’t like it? He now drinks a cup of milk with dinner…and that is HUGE progress in our house!

I’m so proud of the little boy he is becoming. He is usually sweet and kind and I love and adore his innocence and hope it lasts a long time. He loves his brother and they are absolute best friends. I cannot believe how much he is growing and learning; it’s truly amazing and heartwarming to see. He is such a gift and a blessing and I remain eternally grateful that he is our son.