Freddie at 4 and a half

Our beautiful boy is now 4 and a half. The preschool years are officially over, and he is on the cusp of starting ‘big school’ with all the exciting new adventures, routines and friendships in front of him. I am actually really excited for him, this whole starting school malarkey. Whilst he has adored his preschool, I think he’s SO ready for school. He’s lucky that he’s going to a brilliant primary school a short drive away, where a great many friends of his from preschool are going too, and I think it will definitely suit his personality to know a few familiar faces.

So what can I say about our amazing little chap right now?

• His language and sense of the world have evolved so much since even 6 months ago. He says phrases like “only joking, Mummy” when he says things he apparently doesn’t mean (even if they’re not always in context!), and I love it when he uses new words that make him sound incredibly grown up. Talking of joking, we’ve reached the stage where he tells us ‘jokes’, even if they make no sense at all, and I feel I have to give him a little laugh at least- definitely time to add a few age-appropriate jokes to his repertoire! 
• In the mornings now Freddie will often wake up and head downstairs without waking us. Which in theory should be AMAZING, bearing in mind the usual pre-6am wake up calls we’re so used to having. However, whilst we are impressed at his new-found independence (he likes to draw the living room curtains and get his toys set up) it’s a little unsettling when your 4 year old shouts upstairs “I can’t pull the bowl from the dishwasher!”. He has suddenly discovered he can open our fridge, so has made several attempts to make him and Sasha breakfast, and we have come down to milk and Cheerios everywhere 🙂 Which we don’t mind too much- a boy’s gotta start somewhere, right?
• We received his leavers report from preschool, which will be sent to his new teacher at big school. I’m not embarrassed to say that I welled up when reading it, it really was a delight. He’s done so well over the past couple of years, and what preschool was most pleased about is how his self-confidence has improved in leaps and bounds. As a naturally cautious child, he often needs reassurance to give something new a go, but now is much more willing to try, and more often than not is extremely capable. I have no worries whatsover that he’ll do well at his new school.
• I’ve discovered through eavesdropping on a few meet ups with other children, or through having them round to play, that our boy is actually quite bossy and very much likes things to go his way, which I guess is fairly common at this age! 
• Has become much more interested in animals and asked us the other week if we could get a pet (we’re thinking of a couple of kittens soon anyway). I think this interest also stemmed from a conversation in Tesco’s the other week and a weird fascination with the pet food aisle!
• Has developed a slightly morbid interest in death, and dying, and asking more and more questions about it, which again, I guess is fairly normal at this age, although I still don’t think he really knows what it means. I wrote about this a little while ago, about what happened when our butterflies we were hatching didn’t make it.
• Absolutely loves to learn (which will stand him in good stead at school). He is starting to want to read, and will sit with me and sound out words from books that we look at together, along with asking me what every word on a street sign, poster etc says if he can’t work it out himself. I hope he carries on enjoying his books, and I’m looking forward to the day when he can take himself off and read for hours, just like I used to do as a child!

And finally…

• he is such great company, and so much fun to be around! We love taking them both out, but F is at an age where he’s much easier to travel with and is no trouble at all. He’s a delight, and whilst I’m excited for these primary years to begin, I will miss spending time with my little buddy. 5 days a week seems a lot compared to 2.5! 

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.