Seth in January 2014

Snow is the big news this month.  Every since we moved here, Seth has been begging to go to the mountains so he can play in the snow. He has told me that he wants to live somewhere where he can sled and play in the snow.  And we always told him ... well, not likely.  It snowed twice this month!  And once was a lot, like almost an inch of sleet and then prob. around 6 inches of snow.  He missed tons of preschool and had only a short day of preschool many days.  We went sledding, we built snowman and snow forts and threw snow balls.  (He was quite disappointed that I can't find matching gloves for him and he doesn't have snow boots (like Logan) or snow pants (like the ones we borrowed for Andrew)).  And then, he told me he doesn't like snow and he doesn't want it to ever snow again!

And that pretty much sums up a 4 year old.  And Seth has been every inch of a 4 year old this month.  He is constantly giving out threats (If you don't do X, I am going to go do some Y damage to the house or come and do some Z injury to you).  He doesn't ordinarily damage the house, but sometimes he will hit you (he loves to hit/kick Katsu's groin!) or try to bite you!  Or he will say you either do X or Y, both of which are ridiculous choices.  Like, I have to give him some special food he wants but we probably don't have or else I have to read to him a whole book in Japanese.  And then, he starts to count down from 10 and you have to have done it by then.  He spend a lot of time pouting and yelling and crying and who knows what else.  Thankfully, I remember Andrew being just like this and it went away.  Sometimes, it's almost comical - like look how hard it is to be 4!

Seth would be most happy spending all day in front of a screen or reading comic books.  He would prefer to be on the computer (his reading lessons, pbskids, abcya, reading eggs, etc) or watching TV or movies or playing video games all day long.  If he has reached his quota, then he pouts and reads comic books.  Trying to get the boy to play, especially by himself is a serious challenge.  I can only imagine the video game addictions this kid is going to have.

Seth is starting to read things on boxes and loves to do his reading lesson on the computer.  On one hand, I worry about him being bored in kindergarten (his main explanation for why he doesn't need to go to preschool or kindergarten is because he already knows everything).  On the other hand, he seems so bored with "just" playing at home.  Especially without other little playmates.  He really is ready to do more academic things.  Hopefully they can come up with something to challenge him next year in kindergarten.

Seth is doing well at preschool.  He goes somewhat willingly though he will tell you he has no fun at all (which I don't believe for a second - he is always having fun when I pick him up).  He is making friends and seems to be really enjoying himself.  I really like his teachers and his school.

Fun Things This Month
- New Years - eating Japanese food all week
- Trip to Raleigh to see the Natural History and History Museum, hot dogs outside inbetween, and a trip to Trader Joes with lots of fried rice for Andrew
- Birthday party at gymnastics place
- Date with mom to get ice cream and pick out books at Barnes and Noble - Seth picked out his favorite Ninjago books.
- School off for MLK day - 3 days
- Visit to children's museum Marbles in Raleigh
- Lots of late start days
- SNOW and 4 days off of school