Our little Jack began to clap today! I was holding him while assisting James, but I could see Jack's reflection in a mirror. He began to laugh and clap at James (who, when Jack sees him coming begins to laugh). I am so glad that I got to see his first clap! I think if it hadn't been for that mirror, I would've thought that he was still waving his hands up and down instead of bringing them together. So, another milestone passed today.
Ol' Mr. James . . . well, he's growing up. He's in perpetual motion, and in a perpetual growth spurt; now wearing size 10 shoes, and 3T and 4T clothes. He can't wait until his birthday so that he can be important and have his portrait taken, too. He instantly underwent Middle-Child Syndrome when Jack was born. It is a continual challenge for me to make sure I am connected to each of the boys, but especially James. He loves his brothers, and is Mr. Assertive and Mr. Instigator. One of his favorite things is hearing me say that something is "James' business" and not anyone else's. Now that'll make his day! He has recently showed a marked improvement in his drawing/coloring. He will color one object on a coloring page and although he doesn't stay in the lines, he doesn't go very far out of them either. He also has started drawing circles very well, triangles sometimes, and also he will marker or pencil lines as it were to fill in something. It ends up making a rectangular shape. Anyway, Joel did that when he was younger as well; basically, you can just tell that he is controlling his drawing utensil well. It's exciting to see. Pretty soon he will be counting to 100 by 10s and reading. Everything that Joel does he wants to do, whether or not he should (he doesn't stop to think that), and he is more times than not successful at what he sets out to do. He has great determination, which is wonderful. I know it will serve him well in his life. Quirky bit: James has begun to eat left-handed.
Joel began tying his shoes earlier this year, actually before his fifth birthday. It was quite a pleasant surprise for us, and what a big help it is for him to be able to do it! He's also taking showers, setting the table and sweeping. I'm so glad to have such a good helper. His jobs are changing a little bit so that James can have his own jobs and learn to work as well. Joel is a very nurturing older brother (except when he is not! ;) ). He enjoys "teaching" his brothers to read or some other thing that he hasn't quite mastered himself. It usually is well received and actually helps improve his own skills.
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