This blog has taken quite a hit since Jake joined our zoo. I want so badly to write down all the funny things that all three kids do because otherwise I just won’t remember. We do take lots of video and try to take enough pictures. But I want to remember the funny sayings and silly stories and what they loved during this time in their lives.
Reed is ALL boy. And all 4 year old boy at that. He loves trucks. And trailers. And anything with a trailer hitch. And super heroes. And cowboys. And fixing things. And knowing how things work. And rough housing. And potty words. And pirates. And dress up.
Reed is in a kinder prep class this year and it has been an adjustment. I am a typical first time mom because I had no idea that this class would be structured this way. I had no idea that the “Learning Center” part of our day care is actually supposed to be a structured kinder prep class. Sometimes I really just miss the point. Anyway, back to the important part. Reed has homework Monday – Thursday Every.Single.Week. For real. I totally understand that this is just about getting both Reed, and us, ready for next year. I get it. But it was a tough transition. We had many, many tears shed in the beginning. Now we are in a good routine and homework isn’t a fight…most nights. Reed is learning so much so fast that it takes me by surprise on a regular basis. Just a few months into the school year and I can already see how much he’s learning. Each week they learn more letters and the sounds that go with those letters. He is almost sounding out words. Who is this big kid and what has he done with my baby?
Reed still struggles with his temper. I don’t think this struggle is something he will grow out of. I think it’s part of who he is and our job is to help him learn how to channel his anger into more productive ways. I honestly have no idea what I’m doing. He is such a handful one minute and then the sweetest kid the next. I watch him get so frustrated and mad that he throws something and gets put in time out, but then he tells Ali that he will ‘keep her safe’. He is such a tenderhearted boy and I pray that we can help him develop that side of his personality.
Reed completely adores his brother and sister. He and Alison have started fighting some, and mostly it’s because she has her own opinions about what she wants to play. She no longer follows everything Reed says and he has a hard time with that. He wants to have ‘baby Jake’ with him at.all.times. Seriously. It’s crazy.
Reed is definitely a challenging child. There is not one bit of calm and easy going about him. I hope this means he will be a world changer when he grows up. I can dream right?
