The good stuff

I'm currently reading a child-rearing book for bookclub and I've come across an interesting chapter about labels.  I've been through countless classes (high school, college, and professional) and heard all the evils of labeling kids, the self fulfilling prophesy etc.  But, I suppose this might be the first time I've thought about it since becoming a parent myself -and already seeing how easy and how often I do it.

So... in an effort to bring out the positive aspects of your personality so far, but not put a label on it (this might be difficult) I wanted to write down a few things.

-You can have a lot of energy, a lot of the time.  As you get older, there is more of a tendency to have a few minutes here and there of 'down time' -usually it's when you're interested in something on tv or the iPad (so, I'm not sure how good that is), but most of the time you are a busy little boy.  Excuse me, BIG boy.

-You can show a lot of concern and sometimes a bit of empathy towards others, especially your sister.

-You can be very inquisitive.  You often ask questions when people say things you don't understand -either words or phrases.  I guess dad told you to stay off some big rocks at baseball tonight or you'd fall and your brains would fall out???, and you had an entire conversation about where your brains were and why.  And, the other day while with Grandma Hardcastle she kept saying 'Okey, Dokey'.  You asked her what 'okey, dokey' was and when she said it meant 'okay', you asked her to just say 'okay'.

-You can be very thoughtful and loving, even if you don't quite know what you're doing yet.  You often tell me, "Happy Mother's Day" and the other day said I was a good mom because I turned on a tv show you liked.

-You also can be very affectionate.  Something that I'm sure you have picked up from your dad.

-You have started to show a sense of humor.  Many times you laugh when others laugh or you think you should but you've started to play little tricks on us and think you're just hilarious!

-I'm not sure how to word this and have it not be a label or category... but you have shown that you have a great memory.  It seems like you're selective in the things you choose to remember or at least follow through with (I'm quite certain you remember me telling you not to jump, climb, or run in the house although that is not something you often choose to remember).  But, you can remember places we go, places I've told you we'll go, and all sorts of things, especially if it involves treats and or something else for you.

That's all I can think of right now (and I'm hoping to get one of these for your sister before I fall asleep as well).  I'm sure as you get older and mature, we'll see a whole lot more of your personality and potential!