Where do I begin to talk about My Michael at 5 years old?
We see our little guy, and we're so very proud God entrusted him to us to love, raise, and teach.
Why are we proud? Please indulge us as we brag about our little guy!
He is respectful and knows that name calling is not respectful, constructive, or "nice." When he's upset, you can tell. When he is frustrated, you can see this too. What I love? He tells me (in a slightly elevated voice, but not yelling), "Mommy I am frustrated because I want to play Wii all the time, but you will not let me."
I can handle that. I am proud that he can express his emotions and have a conversation with me about it. In a calm and rational manner.
He loves to talk to us. About his school. About kids picking fights with each other at school. About how he raises his hand "like this" in school and that all the kids are amazed. Seriously, he said that. He talks about how he wants to be an engineer just like his dad and go to Daddy's work with him. I am relishing all these moments to know him, and to establish early on that we have a deep friendship and respect that I hope he will carry with him throughout his life.
He loves soccer - and we love being soccer parents. It's so fun to watch him play and we don't know what he'll do with it, but we're having fun being supportive!
Of course - what post would be about Michael if we did not mention Wii? Kid is obsessed with Wii! Luckily, we grew up with Nintendo so we can play too.
He loves family time. He told me "We have fun as a family!" I am so thrilled to hear him say this! I know this may change in the future, but for now, I love this!
I am proud of his academics. He can add and subtract pretty well in his head. He can reason all the different ways to make the number 20. He is starting to sound out words. He is starting to recognize his sight words. He has great logic skills, playing games that are designated for age 12 and up. He loves mazes and has reasonable deduction abilities. If he wants to be an engineer like his dad when he grows up, these are skills he'll need. I hope that if this is really what he wants to be when he grows up, that I'll be able to help develop an engineering methodology of thinking early on for him so it is second nature instead of a learned skill. But we'll see!
He is a picky eater. Doesn't really care for it. He'll eat double servings of shepard's pie and chicken pot pie and pot roast and rice with Asian stuff. But most other things are not too popular for this character!
He is patient when you ask him to be. There might be a fair amount of whining before hand. However, all you have to say is, "This is a situation where you need to be patient and when I am done doing this, I will address what you need." Doesn't work every time, but enough for me to be happy!
He is a patient shopper. If you know me, this is key to our existence together! He finds something to entertain himself with (I usually try to go to places where I know they have books or toys) and lets me do my thing.
He loves Sukihana - the amazing teriyaki place in our mall. Yes, in the mall. Yes, amazing teriyaki. Yes, cheap. Seriously - it's awesome. And next to Chick-fil-A so it's always a tough decision at mealtime there.
He loves Cars2 right now, specifically Francesco.
He can dress himself and even pick out his clothes. In fact, most of the things he picks out, I would never think to put together, but it really works!
This ended up being a lot longer than I expected.
Five years into knowing this person - I am shocked to find a real person there. Not because I didn't expect him to be a person, but because I've known him when he was just a baby, eating and pooping. Now, I look at him and see this shining personality. A sweet soul - who I hope and pray sees even more delight in the world for the years to come.
