Catch Up with Miles

March is always a special month for me mainly because the winter season is closing out. I'm thankful Punxsutawney Phil and the Farmer's Almanac predicted this early spring. Miles has been asking if he can get in the sprinkler since DECEMBER so we were actually able to break it out on Friday when the weather almost reached 80 degrees. He was in heaven.

CATCH UP WITH MILES: these days Miles mainly talks about Mia our neighbor (who is Isaac's age and in kindergarten). He's always wondering what she's up to? if she's at home? when she will get home? if she's outside? if she's thinking of him (hah, not really)? He is smitten with an older woman. Funny thing is, is that she has a sister Laila who is his age but I'm not sure if he's ever met her (or knows she exists). Mia has his heart.

We love our neighbors. We had Mia's family over on Thursday night for a cook out. It happened to be Dave's birthday so we were able to celebrate with them. Jennie and I have been planning arranged marriages between our children--I believe Miles will be okay with that.

Miles had his first official birthday party invite this month. He was invited to a Star Wars party by some twin boys in his preschool class Johnathan and Tyler. He loved getting to go to their house and spending time playing with his peers. Speaking of birthdays, he has already planned out his 5th birthday which will take place at Meme's. The theme is Superman (I'm not sure I've EVER heard him talk about Superman). He's already made the guest list and I'm invited.

Miles had a playdate with another classmate Luke who came over to our house last Wednesday. They had the best time. I love how innocent children are. Luke and Miles were jumping on the trampoline and Miles was sticking his behind up in the air and Luke was pinching it and the cackling began. Funny things like that just make my day. His conversations with Luke were funny too. I heard him ask "Luke, do you like to eat food?" and "Luke do you snore?" to which Luke replied no and Miles proceeded with "well what do you do at night?" I love how he communicates with his buddies and am lucky that I get to witness his conversations at school. He says the funniest things like "Thanks Trapper for sitting next to me at snack."

On the school front, Miles is different from my other two kids in the fact that he seems to understand that preschool is a part of his life--he never complains about going and has never asked to be in my class at school. He seems to enjoy being there. However, (it may be un-parentlike to say this) he isn't my most academic kid at this point. The other two kids picked up on all the skill sets so quickly. I don't remember working HARD with them on learning numbers, opposites, counting, alphabet, etc. They just absorbed these things. Miles hasn't or he's fooling me. I have no doubt that he is capable and may very well KNOW these things but WILL NOT tell me. SO, I'm forced to resort to bribery. Yeah, yeah, you know we ALL do it.

Miles loves playing Mortal Kombat on the ol' Nintendo 64 which normally resides in our attic. A couple weeks ago, he asked if we could get it down so he could play it. I admit I LOVED playing Mortal Kombat as a kid and maybe it's not the BEST game for a 4 year old, but he loves it. Back to the bribe...I told Miles we could get it down when he told me his numbers 1-10. You would think I was asking him to recite the states, their capitals and all the presidents. But, I'm happy to say, we have periodically worked on these over the course of a couple of weeks. I've made flashcards, purchased iPad apps., etc. Like I said, I don't know if he simply doesn't get it or simply isn't interested (I'm guessing the latter). At any rate, he now knows 1-10. I would love to start on the alphabet but am really dreading it. I may have to make him watch the Letter Factory in the van over and over.

It has been a blessing spending 1 on 1 time with my baby. I know he's grown up much quicker than the other two kids--he's had to adjust to many, many things. And, most of the time, he handles it with the best attitude. This spring he is signed up to play tee ball, and the other two kids decided they didn't want to play. I have to admit I'm happy about that. I'm excited that he has something that is ALL his. And, they can go to his games and cheer him on for a change. I'll be posting some pictures of his ball experience on here soon!