Happy Birthday #4

This year, your birthday was nice and laid back.  I apologize that I failed to get the "golf tent" table-top game that you so adamantly requested from me and everyone at Walgreens every coupon Sunday shopping day.  Maybe it was some passive aggressiveness on my part.  But I almost had to be medicated from the effects of your "golf tent" obsession.  When I finally succumbed to buying it.  I couldnt' find the catalog picture that you had circled, starred, highlighted and written "M's" all over on representing your name.  I couldn't find it at the local stores. I did find it online but it was too late.  I tried to make up for it by getting you the item of your second obsession, a miniature pool table. (And also a ridiculously expensive inflatable ball you could crawl inside of and roll around in like a gerbil.  Uh, it was the day before.  I thought throwing money at the problem, might help).

Anyway, I have nothing but bad things to say about your last year.  Like a chihuahua puppy after it's first year, you've gone from super-cute, cuddly, easy-going, calm, and sweeter than anything to an aggressive, rude, barking maniac.  You have slammed the door in my face during nap time refusing to have a story read to you on more than one occasion.  Yes, I know, only evil moms do this. Sometimes, I still see the old Marcelo and it keeps me going, but mostly I still mourn for him.  My scientific hypothesis is that you have too much testosterone and not enough meat and height in that little body of yours.  Your motor is running a bit too hot.

Your current loves are GOLFING, wanting to be a PROFESSIONAL GOLFER, and going to a real GOLF COURSE.  I could probably end the post here.  This seems to be all that brings meaning to your life at the moment.  I get the feeling you would run over your own mother to attain these things.  You also love all outdoor sports and games in general.  You can be a bit of a TV and pbs.org freak if allowed.  Not too interested in learning to read anymore as you have quickly discovered that it may require some degree of sustained effort.

You have reverted to sleeping on the floor next to your door much as you did for almost a year until you got quite sick and your frail condition did not allow you to get out of bed after being tucked in.  But something sparked the floor-camping again and there seems to be no remedy in sight. There are times, you play with your little brother or show interest or concern for him but most of the time, you regard him as some vile insect put here to make your life miserable.  You don't want him in your room or touching any of your belongings.  If I didn't fear for his safety (or maybe yours, I'm not sure which) I would remedy this problem by making you both share a room.  Maybe later.  Your favorite playmate is Sofia although you still get in plenty of tiffs with her too.

This fall, you will be participating in a pilot state-funded, online preschool program created by Waterford called UPSTART.  You were very friendly with the staff during our appointment for parent training and your baseline evaluation.  You didn't even let me start explaining where I would be when you just ran off with the tester.  You were excited to start the program at home and so politely told me, what a wonderful surprise I had set up for you when you came down for breakfast, and saw "Rusty & Rosie" all set up on the laptop for you.  This lasted exactly three days.  The fifth day, you flat out refused to do it and I lost.  Not even Sofia, with the head of a Neanderthal, have I lost a battle like this to!

You continued your dance classes through the summer and will continue as long as you have interest.  You're not as much eager to please anymore as you are eager to do whatever you want during class though.  I think you just want to bust out with some dance music and the jazz/ballet moves are just not cutting it anymore.  Patience young Skywalker.

Despite all this, we still love you so much ... especially when you are sleeping.