Mark of Fridays: Big Kid

Mark has gotten a lot taller over the last few months, and he seems suddenly a lot older, too. 

We took him for a shoe check over spring break, and they told us he had enough room in his shoes to last the summer.  Then Grandma took him back last week and the people yelled at us that we let him play in shoes that were too small.  He had grown an entire shoe size!  He's also wearing boys clothes now, rather than toddler sizes, and seems to want to live in athletic shorts (he calls them "comfy shorts") all the time, just like a big kid.

While still not an athlete, he also seems to have gotten a lot more coodinated recently.  He can climb playground equipment like a kid and run (most of the time) without flailing his arms.  He just finished his first soccer season, and he made huge improvements.  We think he understands the game now, and he at least tries to pay attention.  Once he even kicked the ball, albeit after doing a "soccer dance" in front of it that was a huge hit with the parents.  And he LOVES baseball.  Now that the weather is nice, all he wants to do is play baseball in front of our house.  He can hit a pitched ball pretty well, and he's working on throwing and fielding grounders.  He had his first T-ball practice last week, and he can't wait to play more.

He's also looking forward to a busy yet fun summer.  He'll continue taking Spanish and piano this summer, and he's enrolled in a gymnastics camp (his idea) next week.  He's also taking some academic classes in math, science, and kiddie engineering in July, which he's super excited about.  There will also be adventures with his mom and sister, and probably a good bit of swimming in the pool and visiting the lake. 

And also talking.  Lots and lots and lots of talking.