Drew stuff...

Drew is now 5 1/2 and told me yesterday that he can't wait to be 6 and lose a tooth.  We've been talking about teeth lately, with recent dentist visits and Susanna's incident on the swings (later post), so when a Bubble Guppies episode about teeth came on, it really kicked the subject into full gear.  I reminded him that his tooth won't necessarily fall out on his 6th birthday, to which he replied, "oh I know, but probably the next day!"

Last night, while he was lying in bed, I went in to visit and tickle his back a little, and we started talking about strangers.  Not the best bedtime topic, but I think I really got it into his head that if someone he didn't know ever tried to get him to go with them somewhere, even if they said they had candy or needed help or had a puppy or kitty, he should ALWAYS come tell Mike or I.  We talked about how some people try to trick and hurt kids and so even if they seemed nice, he should never go with them.   We discussed what to do if he ever got lost in a store or park or mall, to look for safe people like a mom with kids, a person who works there, etc. and he just intently listened...I could almost see his little mind processing it all.  He did say that a stranger wouldn't be a stranger long if they told you their name but I emphasized that he should still ask me and never go unless I said it was ok because even though we know learn their name, we don't really know them!
Then he started talking to me about dying (it didn't feel like a doom and gloom conversation, even though typing it up like this makes it sound kind of glum and morbid!) and he said he would always be careful...he would "never go out on the road, or lean out of our play house, or jump off of high swings, or flop on his back...oh and be really careful to never, ever get hit by a lightening!"  We have a friend who recently lost a baby so since we've been praying for them, I explained to Drew that sometimes babies are born with problems and don't live very long but that they get to go back to Heaven.  He was also told by our other friend who lost a new baby about her experience so after talking to me about it, he said, "I bet their babies are together right now with Heavenly Father!"  It was pretty sweet.  That kid thinks deep, I tell you what...
About 15 minutes after I left his room, he came knocking on our door saying he was scared (I guess so!) and so he sat between us on our bed and told us a story about skylanders.  His descriptions were so fun and he has a pretty great imagination.  Mike and I kept looking at each other like, "this is the most fun!"  Mike tells him a story most nights in his bed and I can totally tell he is developing his story telling mannerisms from his daddy!

telling his story...

He has been really sweet to his sisters lately, helping Susanna say prayers, playing and making silly faces with Jillian to cheer her up when she's fussy, he cried and cried when Susanna got hit in the mouth by a swing...I'm talking, he was wailing...I had to make him leave the kitchen while we cleaned her up because he was so upset about it.  He has been really helpful with chores and usually listens when I ask him to tidy up.  He gets himself dressed most days which is a blessing and a curse.  If he could wear his Mario t-shirt and camo shorts every day, he would.  Sometimes I let him just be his own little guy and wear what he wants but when it counts, I insist he dress in something nice.  At least he always lets me fix his hair!
I registered him for Kindergarten a month ago and am really excited for him to move on up in school.  He is totally ready.
At 5 1/2, Drew is trustworthy (he "NEVER tells a lie"), headstrong, funny, a little moody ;), very particular, motivated, prefers structure and schedules (which I think will be good for him in a school setting), methodical, compassionate, forgiving, and social.  He recently told our friend Tim that he was "the smartest boy in the whole world!"  No problem with confidence there!  We love him a ton!

(he was not loving his recent hair cut...he kept asking when it would be over!)