Stephens' Stories: Austin at 4 Years!

Austin turned 4 years old on August 9th. I am about a month late posting an update but better late than never. As for size stats - he is a big growing boy at 42.5 (91%) inches tall and 40 lbs (78%). He checked out fine at his physical check up but did not like getting 2 shots - AT ALL! This was the first year he really knew they were coming and FREAKED out. But, I treated that with ice cream after Dr Pielop's office. At 4 years, Austin loves to tackle his little brother, read books, do puzzles, play baseball, play golf, SWIM, and watch movies. He has really become a great swimmer this summer and he loves it - going off the diving board alone, diving to get toys on the bottom of the shallow end, swimming AND taking breaths to go further. The swim season is almost over and I don't plan to do lessons again until next spring, but I hope he will do swim team next summer. His current favorite movies are Toy Story (1, 2, and 3), Finding Nemo, Bugs Life, Planes, and Monsters Inc. He has really gotten into these this summer because of "summer mode" - staying up later, no school, etc. No we are trying to cut back and use movie time as a reward for good behavior. His favorite foods are pasta, mac n cheese, strawberries, broccoli, carrots, milk, pizza, hot dogs, and of course ANYTHING sweet including ice cream, popsicles, M&Ms, cookies, etc, etc. Austin loves his daddy and wants to be with him all the time. They have been up to Lakeside to hit golf balls a few times this summer but hopefully as it gets cooler they can go more often so he can work on his golf game. :) He likes going to church on Sundays and our community group on Sunday evenings will start soon where he gets to play at Hank and Lottie's house. He has memorized the Lord's prayer at church and I love how he says it. "Our FATHER in Heaven, HALLOWED be thy name....."

Austin has a strong-will. He is stubborn about many things. His negotiation skills are sharpened daily. He must have a routine. If we did A, B, and C on Monday, then he asks to do A, B, and C on Tuesday. And if you say "no" to one of them, he screams. I know where he gets this - I am a routine person, but I don't think I scream if I get out of a routine. At least I hope not. He does best when he knows what is coming; surprises are not good for him. If you tell him we are going to HEB, then park, then lunch and try to throw in a Starbucks stop without telling him, he will throw a fit. That's our routine-following first child for you! On another note, he still has his lovey, Bear, and sucks his thumb when he is holding Bear. We are working on breaking this habit.... He is still allergic to peanuts (boo!) but we will have it tested again this fall. Hopefully he will outgrow it. And hopefully he will outgrow his whining....soon!! ;)

We celebrated Austin's birthday at Monkey Joe's, an indoor place with inflatable bounce house structures. We invited friends from his former Zebra Zone school as well as some friends from church. The kids played for the first 1 hr 15 minutes and then we had cake and ice cream in the party room. I made a baseball cake. He was NOT excited about everyone singing to him and blowing out the candles. He tried to hide. He does not like all eyes focused on him or being the center of attention.

He just started his new school for Pre-K on September 8, 2015. He is in the Dalmatian class at Christ Memorial Lutheran Early Childhood Learning Center and his teachers are Ms Karen, Ms Becky, and Ms Mary Ann. He attends Monday-Friday 8:45-12. So far, he seems to like it and says his favorite part is the gym and the playground. He is all boy! A special boy at that.....sweet, yet stubborn, learning to be a gentle big brother but also WAY too rough at the same time. We love you Austin!