Runonsentence

(Not sure why I didn't post this way back when I wrote it...)

I was cleaning up that frightening pile of paperwork today and I came across some information about child language development. It was interesting reading to be sure.

The age four development page stated that the average sentence length of a four year old should be 4-5 words.
Have you met my son? He was talking in 4-5 multi-syllable word sentences by 2 and now... let's just say if he's awake it's rarely quiet around our house.

So for the last five minutes Steve and I have been counting the words in Liams' sentences. He is begging us to go looking for some wee playmobil bits that go with his pirate ship instead of looking for them himself. For example; "Daddy, can you help me find the little brown bits that go with the grappling hook for my pirate ship." We figure the average length is at LEAST 8 words. Many were 11 words and the longest we counted was 21. And he's feeling pretty yucky today with a fever and all so he's not nearly as verbose as he can be.

Oops!

I guess it worked afterall - so enjoy both identical photos below.
We're off for another dose of TALL SHIP in Port Alberni tomorrow. More pics to come I'm sure!

Our little Astronaut is FOUR!!!!

The Liam IV
Originally uploaded by Sheriagogo.

After months of preparation the Giant SATURN V Cake was created, admired and consumed!

Thankyou so much to everyone who came to celebrate Liam's 4th birthday with him. A wonderful day was had by all - especially Liam!

(I had a much longer, more thoughtful post with this the first time I tried to blog it but it was lost along the way. I'll be trying to rewrite it soon.)

Our Little Astronaut is FOUR!!!!

The Liam IV
Originally uploaded by Sheriagogo.

It's hard to beleive that four years ago our not-so-little-Liam was a not-so-little new born babe. He's grown so much over the years and in so many ways. Just the other day I was talking to one of the pre-school moms and she said that her daughter told her that Liam is such a nice boy - always using his manners.
As a parent you can only hope that when you send your children out in the world their behaviour reflects the values and principles you try to instill in them. Because, the goddess knows, their behaviour around YOU rarely resembles anything you might be hoping for.
Liam has been particularly good at testing boundaries and seeking limits - both ours and his. He has always been what you might call a 'high-needs' child. Which, from our experience, translates into a child who brings out the absolute worst in a parent and forces you to examine every aspect of your behaviour and parenting style so that you find the best way to be a GOOD parent for that child. Parenting Liam so far hasn't been easy, but it has been truly enlightening and rewarding watching him grow and master aspects of his sensisitive, contrary and stubborn nature.

We love you Liam!

Noteworthy

Zoe said 'please' today - well, 'apeese' as she says it. Before today she would just look at me and blink - "and why would I need to say THAT?"

More shocking, as they happened within 10 minutes of one another, Liam asked "Please may I be excused?," unprompted, after eating a good dinner (2 cobs of corn and some chicken pie).

Wonders never cease.