Grams and four and a HALF

P seriously adores my mother. Having been without his Grams fix for over a month, he returned to asking daily when he could see her again. Though he's getting his days of the week and seasons pretty solid, time is still so fluid for him that "two months" is almost meaningless. And I found the concept of "going to sleep and waking up 60 times" is just depressing to some people :) So he called her on the phone frequently and chatted her ear off (which is a real act of love since his lack of "L" and his iffy "R" makes phone talk an occasional challenge :) Then the other morning he decided he just Could Not Wait any longer. And Grams, heroine that she is to the little man, she came through for him.

Her visit was made even more lovely by our very sweet landlords and lucky lack of neighbors. She slept in the apartment below us and P fancied himself fifteen, leaving home to visit Grams on his own :) We had great fun running about town, visiting toy stores and eating yummy foods. Sunday afternoon E and P hung out while I lucked into some quality mother-daughter time. The next day, as my mom and I laughed about something, P became more and more agitated. After a few out of character frustrations I questioned the little man about what was bugging him. He told me that I was getting too much time with Grams, that he needed more Grams time :)

While she was here we celebrated P's "half birthday." I first heard of half birthdays when P was a baby and I scoffed heartily at the concept. I waited a whole year for my birthdays, what was this nonsense :) Well, now that P is finally excited to get older (he was vocally reluctant to grow up for about a year there and has only recently changed his tune, due, in part, to his new stance on death. After fearing death for two years now, he has turned to denying it. He tells me he will live, "like a bowl, or a chair, Mama, a thing that never dies." And if, in play, the subject of death comes up, he quietly whispers to the Universe "I don't want to die. Thanks!" and then carries on...) he now loves marking his never-ending age. Sometimes, at the close of the day, he'll exclaim that he is now older than when the day started :) Additionally, he Loves everything birthday. He throws birthday bashes for BB on a weekly basis, wrapping toys, feeding the pink monster play cake, singing to his fuzzy friend. So it just made sense to celebrate this milestone.

P chose a carrot cake in a train shape for his big day. And he made it himself! When we filled the train mold and found there was extra batter, P decided we should pour it into his candy molds. I was a bit surprised when it all came out beautifully :) So after his favorite pizza dinner we lit some candles and sang that song while P's eyes danced and rolled (direct attention like that generally brings on an uncomfortable eye roll). As I grabbed my camera, E. feeling the birthday vibe, reflexively said 'Smile P!" We never tell P to smile for a shot, so it was hilarious to see him ham a grin. See above:)

That day he announced that he didn't like being called four and a half. We should just call him four. Then a few days later he asked if he could buy a real metal sword.

Me: Sure, P. That would be fun. (We try to always start with a yes. Its a good vibe to go with and leaves him feeling the infinite possibilities in his life)
P: Today?
Me: Maybe we'll wait till you're just a bit older, P. They can be a bit dangerous.
P: But Mama, I am four and a half....

Needless to say, Mr. Slow to Transition transitioned over to the "half" part pretty quickly :) If only he could better adjust to living so far away from Grams.... :)