Jude 4.5

The halves seem to be coming faster now.  I haven't even told Jude that he has the "half" because A) I don't really want to hear it until July and  B) I want to stick with plain "four" because four is precious and so quickly we'll slip into "five" and then that next half will be right there waiting.  But for today, today, he's four.  Curious, generous, inventive, thoughtful four.  Here's what it's been looking like:

Reading a book

Jude's not exactly tolerant by nature. He is quite disapproving of any form of delinquency, unless he himself is the perpetrator. Many days I'm in trouble with him as much as he is with me: car-seat safety, fire safety, using kind words, singing the correct song lyrics, wearing suitable attire (I'm a huge offender there), he's all over it.  He'd be a very happy only child.  But the universe laughed and gave him a sibling who is dismissive of all forms of civilized living.  And to Jude's credit, lately he remains calm, reasonable and humorous about life with Luke.  Even when he's just trying to read a book...

Writing letters

The other night before bed Jude told me he wanted to write letters to the baby so she can read them when she gets older. note: We don't know what we're having but Jude really wants a sister.  He had a made-up a fancy name for her that began with the letter "A" and had about 4 syllables.  It was very southern-sounding.  Unfortunately we both forgot it and now he calls the baby "JJ".  Anyway,  his letter-writing was one of those melting-mom's-heart-moments where you think you're kids might actually love one another.  He held it up to show me and I asked what it said.  "I can't write notes, Mom!  It's letters."  Oh, of course. You wrote her letters.

Jude was looking for his "x-ray" underwear.  I could not figure out what he was talking about until he announced, "found 'em!"  Oh, right.  Because half of all boy's clothing in the US has to come stamped with a skull and crossbones.  I obviously haven't explained this to Jude, not that I even understand it myself.

Getting dressed

Back to the sweet innocence....  The other night after bedtime I went to check on J which typically only involves turning off the little lights in his room.  He was still awake.  It was 10:30pm.  I asked what was going on and he told me, "I'm trying to arrange my animals beautifully but no matter what I do the puppy still looks sad."  

Taking care of "Sad Eyes"

We watched a lot of the Olympics this year.  At one point Jude announced, "I'm worn out of all the events with jumps.  And I don't like Skeleton, they go too fast."  But after the closing ceremonies he said, "It's a sad day because the Olympics are over.  It's okay though because the Summer Olympics aren't too far away and then we'll get to watch them ski jump into a pool and bobsled on wheels."  My Lake Placid boy.

Watching the Olympics with the boys and the belly

And to go with the Olympics...

First time air-popping corn

Because Jude can be like living with a uptight 40-year-old, I often fail to acknowledge his creative side.  Future Amanda please remember how that these days were filled with paper-crafting (endless projects involving scissors, tape, a hole puncher, stapler and various disposables around the house) and many pleas to send his projects to others.  The days also involved non-paper, Jude-lead, endeavors such as the following. Try not to remember how much the messes drove you crazy.

"Mom, come look!  I'm fishing!"

Jude's love-language may be gift-giving.  If you've been to our home in the last two months I guarantee you haven't gone home without a new tissue-box (quirky but true), a piece of fruit, something Jude made for you or a combo of all three.  He thinks everyone should have a parting gift.  Recently we went to Barnes and Noble with a gift card from Grandma Glynda (Thank you, GG!  He was SO thrilled!)  The moment we stepped in the store he said, "What can I buy you, Mom?" and "I want to find something for Luke!"  It took awhile but I convinced him to buy something for himself in addition to what he had picked out for Luke.  He purchased these binoculars.  The next day I was looking for a baby item on Craigslist.  He saw what I was doing and told me that if they sell it at Barnes and Noble he can get it for me.

Staring down the neighbors

I didn't get on the blog thinking I'd be writing much and now I find that I could just keep going. But this afternoon, just like many, is passing too quickly. Jude, age four, you keep us all in line with your keen insights and fill our home with innocence and love towards others.  We adore you at age four. We adore you always.