Growing Up

Every day Samuel seems like more and more of a big kid. There are so many things that he can do on his own now, "only" 3 really seems like a misnomer.

He has been able to dress himself for some time now, though if we slip up and help him a couple of times in order to get out the door more quickly, he'll insist that he needs our help everyday after that. If he picks out his clothes himself, he will invariably insist on shorts and a tshirt, no matter the temperature outside.

Samuel's teachers and other parents marvel at his ability to focus on a task that interests him. One mom told me, "I'm always excited when Samuel comes to my project table, because it means someone is going to really get in to whatever task I am in charge of." What task would that be? Most likely drilling or sawing or baking or anything that requires tools. Painting and stamps also continue to rank high on his interest scale.

The art of negotiation is definitely not lost on Samuel, and I wonder if Steve and I might find ourselves outmaneuvered in the years to come. Samuel wants to know how long a minute (or other period of time is) and if he can have just one more of whatever unit we are speaking of (minutes, oranges, etc). And if we stick to our timeframe, can it be "a long minute"? This morning, for the first time I am aware, Samuel asked Steve for something, was answered in the negative, and then came to me to ask for the same thing. He also tries to negotiate with Shira, sometimes successfully because he wills her into his desires with the power of a big brother or because he thinks of a way to give her something that she wants that costs him nothing; sometimes unsuccessfully because she is unwilling to have the wool pulled over her eyes and screams hysterically grabbing at what she believes is hers.

The last few months have been challenging behaviorally. Samuel is testing limits and does not always exhibit the gentle and caring side that we have become accustomed to. When he experiences frustration at not getting what he wants, he will yell at us, and tell us not to talk to him (especially Steve). Lucky for us, he rarely tantrums, and pulls himself out of these moods very quickly. Within minutes we will be back on track, and Samuel will have moved passed whatever was causing his disappointment.

Despite our occasional power/control struggles, Samuel is an all around charming and thoughtful kid. We are having more discussions recently about how lucky we are and how not everyone has a place to sleep, enough to eat, or presents on holidays. When we saw a couple of homeless men outside Whole Foods, and I explained to Samuel what their signs said, he requested that we buy them something to eat.

Samuel continues to be an extremely loving and affectionate child, not only to me and Steve, but to Shira as well. It is wonderful to see how much they adore each other and how much Samuel cares about "his baby."

There are so many other things he has been doing and saying recently, I wish I could remember everything that Steve and I have been marveling at recently. He has expressed a lot of interest in letters and sounds and what words start with what letters. Physically, he is very well coordinated, rides his bike with more skill and finesse every day, and continues to try and find things to jump off of and "tricks" to accomplish.