A post dedicated to Mr. P

Patrick is now 5. Its such a classic statement, but man the time has gone fast! Seems only yesterday he was a helpless little boy who required 24/7 care and attention.

Patrick is now 3'7" tall and weighs 41.6 lbs.

He likes typical boy things, but really doesn't like to be dirty. He is quite helpful and will often go out of his way to help his sister if she asks. He loves to bring in the garbage cans and recycling bins after the truck has been.

Patrick has always loved numbers. He was counting to 30 before Kathryn was born and learned to count to and write numbers to 100 before he turned 3. He even mastered the concept of 'zero' before that time. After learning how to write out the numerals, he quickly learned how to write-out each number (one, two, twenty, etc) and could tell us 6-digit numbers accurately. Shortly after that, he figured out decimals.

I'm not exactly sure when, but probably over a year ago, he was introduced to the concept of simple addition and then subtraction. This past week he wanted to do math on the magna doodle with me and I had to teach him the concept of 'borrowing' and I was shocked how quickly he understood that as well.

Today, while shopping, he spied a placemat with multiplication tables and is now up in his room teaching himself all about that using his magnadoodle. While I was changing the master bed I could hear him talking to himself about it.

Besides numbers, which are his absolute favourite thing, he also really likes shapes and of course reading. He has already finished the JK and SK reading curriculum at school and is now on an individualized plan with more complicated books. He reads it first to Kathryn and Me and then he reads it the next night to Shaun who asks comprehension and follow-up questions to ensure he's not just reading, but understanding as well.

Patrick's room is full of books. He just loves having access to them during rest time and before bed. It only takes about a week for all the books on his shelf to migrate to his headboard - and then I put them back so he can start over. Scholastic has become my new addiction as he loves having new material to read. My sister introducted us to the "alpha tales" series which now has lots of collections of books (themes, word families, etc) which have follow up activites in the back which he really enjoys. We actually just bought him a second-hand desk that I am refinishing (painting white) so he can have a spot in his room to do his 'work'.

In addition to reading things, he also likes to write. In addition to doing activities in the back of those books and in activity books, he will often ask for blank paper so he can write out the date and other information - its often the same pattern so we think it must be part of the morning exercises at school. We're looking forward to setting up his desk so all these things are available to him whenever he wants.

He's also recently begun to enjoy arts. All our attempts earlier in his life to do artwork/colouring were met with resistance and often ended with us doing the 'work' while he told us what he wanted done. Now he happily colours pictures and paints. He also creates his own pictures and colours them, often adding text as to who is who and what is happening. Sometimes he asks for help with spelling, but not usually. He's very resourceful and if he doesn't know the spelling, he may look in a book to find it and then copy the letters.

Patrick is also becoming more social. He had a friend at daycare that he talked about often. We did leave a note with the family to keep in touch, but the family situation isn't very good so we're not sure if it will work out. We really hope so.

As for friends at school, he rarely mentioned specific names unless prompted (we knew only a few). However, now one of his classmates is part of my mommy group and he does talk about her which is great.

Patrick is still recieving speech and occupational therapy. Mostly this therapy relates back to his social skills. He has come so far since September its amazing! School was definetly something he needed. He has changed so much. He talks a lot more now and is able to start conversations and express his feelings more clearly. He can play games with simple rules and follow along, waiting for his turn and he is learning empathy.

Patrick's independence has really grown this past year as well. He is now able to use the bathroom on his own and change his own clothes including socks! He can put on and zipper his jacket, put on his own hat and mittens if needed.

Patrick is an amazing little boy that we are so glad to have in our lives!