more about 4

A couple days after his birthday, Ben had his 4 year old well child check-up.  He weighed 47.8lbs (97th%tile) and is 42inches tall(75th%tile).  He had his first official vision screen at the doctor rather than at school or at an evaluation and passed with 20/20 or better in both eyes.  It was fun to watch them do the vision screen with letters and pictures of shapes and other objects.  We did get put on a "weight-watch" meaning we should go in and weigh Ben in 6 months rather than a year.  This is based on his percentiles but the Dr. said he wasn't worried when looking at a nearly-nakey Ben and when we discussed our diet and eating habits. 

Speaking of food, Ben's favorites are pizza, burritos, and mac and cheese.  Thankfully he loves almost all veggies with the exception of leafy greens that I sneak into smoothies and muffins and ALL fruit.  He is liking a wider variety of foods though will always beg for one of his 3 favorites.

Ben had a Summer full of adventures and recounts them frequently.  He is blessed to do so much and is absolutely happiest when we are on the go.  Memberships to the Children's Museum and the Zoo keep me sane, as well as frequent and varied playground visits.  For the next few months he'll have private swimming lessons twice a week.

Ben's imaginative play and stories are blossoming right now and his "fibs" and connections keep us laughing and on our toes.  Ben still loves to help in the kitchen and has taken a recent liking to watching PBS cooking shows with his Dad.  It's a good thing we don't have Food Network.  Ben also likes Peg and Cat, 

 
the other PBS kids shows, and Sheldon (The Big Bang Theory.)  Wall-E is his favorite movie right now and LazyTown is his special treat of a show on Netflix.  No one will be sad when he no longer enjoys LazyTown though it does have him talking about energy and calling apples "candy," so it can't be all bad.

Ben's favorite colors are black and blue and he continues to do well with rote academic tasks and learning and loves "doing my date," each day. 

  Ben would almost always prefer to play outside but he loves books, his marble run, and his B-toys keyboard and guitar.  His entourage of toys and friends is dynamic but one thing never changes........

As many moms of boys have told me, Ben likes to cuddle and snuggle more and more as he grows.  If he didn't weigh nearly 50 lbs, I would likely ask for even more "nuggling time."  

Naps have been gone for years it seems but Ben sleeps well and stays in his bed regularly from 730-8pm until 630-8am ish.  He is still having night terrors from time to time but a slight jostle before Ryan and I go to bed at night keeps the terrors at bay.

The approach to 4, and the days since really have shown a growth in independence for Ben.  It's amazing how seemingly overnight he can do things on his own and be more truly helpful around the house.  I think we were very blessed in the potty-training department and now that Ben can dress himself (on the bottom at least) he can go potty totally independently (with some wiping help.)  We haven't taken the no pull-up at night plunge quite yet but I did buy more sheets so when this package is gone we will go cold-turkey-yikes!!!

Ben is very aware of his routine and surroundings and let's me know quickly and emphatically if I ever miss a turn or drive past an expected destination.  I think kiddos are just so much more observant than we often give them credit for.

As other moms and blogger-friends with similarly aged kids have warned me, I need to do a better job of short posts to capture Ben's quips and sayings, and I will! 

Four so far is FUN. OVERWHELMING. UPROARIOUS. & REAL.