Four is such a great age. I am observing the transition from three to four in two little boys that are very dear to me. Tisra’s Grant has already become a big four year old and my sister Becky’s son Landis is just two months away from his fourth birthday. They have become articulate and interesting over-night it seems. It makes me really look forward to this age with Owen. I’m not rushing it mind you…I like him at 10 months so much I can’t stand it. But, these little guys are very fun to be around and I’m amazed at their individual personalities.
Landis was up Sunday night when I dropped off Becky and Hope on my way home from Michigan. He immediately yelled his greeting of “Mary!” and then broke into song. I had taught him a positively stupid song the day before we left for Michigan and the two of us had sung it back and forth to each other giggling uncontrollably at ourselves. He grabbed my leg and looked up at me and started into the chorus…”Pigs, Pigs…!” I laughed and hugged him and marveled at his ability to recall not only songs, but the exact thing that would brighten up his tired aunt. I love that kid.
Tonight I dropped Owen off at Eric and Tisra’s for a few hours while Kris and I attended a board meeting for Brent Gambrell. I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with Grant but he is one of the best conversationalists I’ve ever met. He asks questions and has multiple topics to choose from in his news and information. Some of it is very interesting. As I left the house I was getting into my car and I could hear him through the storm door yelling my name. I looked back up to the house as he lifted up a brightly colored purple package and I heard…”I have new pull-ups!” I gave him a thumbs up, got in the car and laughed my way out of the neighborhood. I love that kid too.
Owen was so tired when I picked him up from the fadely’s. He didn’t get a nap aside from sleeping in the car this afternoon as I ran errands, so he was exhausted. I put his pajamas on him and fed him for about 20 minutes. He was asleep before he finished eating and I lifted him to my shoulder and just held him for a while. His little hands were gripping my shoulders and it just felt so good. Wouldn’t it be nice if he still did that when he’s four?
“I laughed and hugged him and marveled at his ability to recall not only songs, but the exact thing that would brighten up his tired aunt.”
This is the thing that warms my heart about this age. Not only have they developed well mentally and physically- but emotionally. Grant possesses this great intuition that calls him to action. Stub a toe? He’ll rush over and pray for it and give it a sweet kiss. Lately, on two occasions, I have gotten a bit weepy out of exhaustion in a moment of frustration with Dean The Non Sleeper (blame the pregnancy hormones, too, if you will) and Grant came over to ask what was wrong and comfort me and hug me and kiss me. Truly, it worked and I never wanted him to let me go.