Calvin - Fall 2013

The biggest change for Calvin this year was starting kindergarten.  He says he doesn't like school, but I think that's just typical boy behavior.  The first few weeks were a little rough as he adjusted to the schedule and not having as much time around the house to play.  His teacher, Miss Smits, says he is compliant, cooperative, respectful, and seems to enjoy school.

Calvin:
- likes putting on his belt when getting dresses and gains satisfaction by the fact that he can get it through all the loops correctly and buckle it.
- learned to tie his shoes last week or the week before - it just took a few days of practice.
- is outgrowing ALL his pants.  He is going through a growth spurt.  When I hold him he feels so strong and thick, and doesn't have an ounce of fat.  His Uncle Josh commented on Calvin's physique while observing him in the swimming pool on our recent trip to a hotel for Kala's wedding.  He runs so fast too! 
- loves oatmeal with maple syrup or bananas
- loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
- is a mom-and-dad pleaser.  He often says "yes mom!" or "yes dad!" when we ask him to do something.  He is motivated to be caught doing good and have the reports be sent to his teacher at school.  Other times I think he says "yes mom!" or "yes dad!" to upstage his siblings behavior. 
- is working on controlling himself.  He gets upset really quickly.  Just this morning, Dave used some water to smooth down his "bed head" hair and got some drips of water on his sleeve.  Calvin almost lost it in a fit of tears because he didn't want a wet shirt going to school. 
- his handwriting has improved dramatically since starting school
- recognizes his sight words more regularly.  "the" and "mother" are ones I can remember. 
- learned to spell Vanessa's name.
- does things for his sisters like drawing them pictures is something he likes doing.  He wanted to print a picture of Vanessa's favorite princess (Ariel) and made it all pink.
- still fights with Violet and Vanessa over "the first stool" on the island.
- says Natalie is his favorite friend in school
- found Bennett's (school friend) toy on the playground after school and brought it back to him the next day at school
- listens with intent when Dave or I read the Bible story, even if he's upside down somehow, he's listening.
- gets easily distracted when asked to do a task
- knows our address and phone number
- loves to play on my kindle - his favorite thing to do.  The kids earn "minutes of time" to play on the kindle (only allowed on the weekends).  He likes angry birds, subway surf, minecraft, and candy crush.
- is learning to ask for things nicely (i.e. May I have a mint please? instead of "can I have a mint?")
- absolutely loves all things chocolate