Year Four (Month Forty-Eight)

Dear Abe,

Happy Birthday! (Okay, I know your birthday was 11 days ago, but you can't read yet, so I am home free.) You are so. Freaking. Old. I can't believe it. It dawned on me the other day that I remember things from being four, so as of right now you will probably remember stuff when you are older. I hope you remember me always as beautiful and hilarious.



Anyway, for your birthday, your Daddy and I took you to your first concert -- A Wiggles Concert. We were SO EXCITED. Yes, "we" as in me and your Daddy. I am not sure if you were that excited. In fact you even told us after that you were, "a little freaked out."




When we got to the theater we promptly went to the merchandise booth and bought you two toys and Daddy got a tshirt. Maybe he will save it for you to wear when you are older. But, let's just hope when you are older you will not want to wear it. To be honest, it makes me a little uncomfortable when your Daddy wears it.

Then, we found our seats and sat down. You sat between us, clutching your toys in stone silence. You pretty much did not move the entire time. Once in awhile you would wave, but you definitely did not sing and dance unlike me. I could not hold still during the "Shimmy Shake." I think you found it too loud and it was quite a lot to take in.




It wasn't until we got home that night that you were singing and dancing away and talking about your time there. But, that is just how you roll. You like to process things. And, you don't really like loudness. Let's face it, you are very much like your father. And thankfully, I am fully trained in the ways of your fathers brain, so I seem to understand what you are thinking too. I am the "Abe Whisperer."

You seem to be enjoying school very much. You love to color and draw and paint. You can write your name, and some of the time you do it in a mirror reflection manner -- meaning everything is exactly backwards. I find that strangely intriguing, and once again wonder if this is a problem or that possibly you are a genius. Let's just go with the genius thing.

You love to draw the Wiggles and you are very detailed with them (besides the fact that they just have a head with arms and legs coming out of it.) However, you draw the logo with the Trademark symbol in it.

I have really enjoyed watching how you interact with other kids. You love playing with other kids, and are very friendly. You are a pretty good boy, and when another kid is doing something that you know is wrong, you laugh nervously. I feel that the nervous laughter will at least delay your participation in doing naughty things. You love to invent games to play, and you have no problem telling the other kids what role they will be playing.

For example, even though no kid at your school knows who the Wiggles are (besides everything you have told them) you produce, direct, and star in a Wiggles performance on the little stage in the classroom. And, surprisingly the kids go along with it! It makes me happy to know that even though you like something different from them, you are okay with it, and even invite them to play with YOU. This skill will definitely bode well for you in high school. Let's just hope you have moved from the Wiggles phase by then, because I am not sure if the kids will play along.

Sometimes you say things so articulate and poignant that I think you are wise beyond your years -- "You know Daddy, right now I like the Wiggles, but in a little bit I will like Thomas, and then I will like Toy Story again." And, then, you say something so weird I remember you are four. "Mama, I can't sleep because the fan has a mean face." But, I really like four years old. You talk and talk, like to watch more "grown up" shows, can be reasoned with, and you are pretty hilarious.



My favorite time to spend with you is when I put you to bed and you ask me to lay with you "just for a minute." So we just chat. You seem to be more chatty at this time, mostly I think because you are putting off going to sleep. And sometimes, I wonder when this time is going to end. When it won't be cool for me to lay in your bed and talk about your day.

Okay, let's not think about that anymore.

Love,
Mama
AKA, The Abe Whisperer