Will: 10 Things

A while back I decided to write "10 Things" posts about my kids and my Project 365 kind of put those on hold. But I recently did some casual portraits for each of my kids and, although the pictures do speak a thousand words each, I wanted to shared some of my favorite current things about each one.

So here's Will:

1. He's taken a big interest in money and recently started "collecting" money. Yes, he does get most of the loose change we find in the house, but what he really means is "earning" money. He does chores like unloading the dishwasher, throwing dirty diapers in the outside trash, cleaning his room, making his bed, and I even taught him how to wipe down the bathroom sink and counter (but he's only done that once). He also occasionally "babysits" Luke for me when I take a shower or need to get things done around the house (really he just plays in the same room as him, but he likes the responsibility he thinks he has). One time Taylor was throwing around the idea of Will having his own snow cone business (lemonade stand type) but I said, "No. Will has to be able to count out the money himself or I'm going to do all the work." Will thought about it for a second and said, "I pay you!"

2. Since he's been earning money, he really likes to buy things. The first time we went to Target to pick out a Lego set, he was SO excited. He told everyone we saw, "I paided my own Legos today!" Most people thought he said something about painting, but luckily I was there to translate.

3. He mixes up a lot of phrases. For instance, he likes to tell people that he "made up a new friend" when really, he actually made a new friend--a real one, not an imaginary one.

4. He greets everyone (friends and strangers) by holding up four fingers as high as he can until they notice. He doesn't usually say anything, just stands there until they attempt to give him a high five and either he or I clarifies that he is just letting them know that he is 4 years old.

5. For the past six weeks he's been enrolled in a soccer skills class and he LOVES it. He actually did a similar one last year but this year he gets it. They do drills and play games to help them learn new techniques. I think Will's favorite part is the running. He runs, and runs, and runs (with the occasionally skip or jump) the whole time! 

6. Will's favorite game is hide and seek. All day, any day, everyday.

7. For a while when we asked him, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" He would respond, "An In-N-Out chef!" Later that changed to, "An In-N-Out chef during the daytime and I'll ride horses at the rodeo at nighttime." Now his answer is, "An office man." "What kind of office man?" "The kind that works in an office."

8. After having a tantrum, gagging on and spitting out his mandatory "try it" bite into the trash Will told me not to make food that he doesn't like.

Will: "Just make a list of all the foods that I like."

Mom (hoping for a teaching moment): "But Will, remember earlier today at the restaurant you said, 'Mom, I tried it and I liked it!'?"

Will: "Oh yeah. Add that food to my list!"

9. Will is a definite creature of habit. Every morning he wakes up at 7:00am, comes into our room and says, "Dad, I want two pieces of cinnamon sugar toast." (and occasionally) "Please."

10. He loves to sing! (He's pretty tone deaf but) he just loves it! Our church primary program (children's musical program) is next Sunday. It's his first one that he old enough for and he has a SOLO! He's singing a whole song by himself **and sings it almost completely monotone** but he gets all the words right! We've taken pretty much every opportunity for him to practice in front of family and friends so I hope he doesn't get stage fright. We've also on numerous occasions caught him singing to Luke (or anyone younger than him) when he's crying to comfort him.

He is the best big brother, my biggest helper, and stops me randomly a couple times a day just to say, "Mom? I love you." I am so blessed to be his mother.