Almost 5.

He's almost five. I don't know how this happened. Four years ago he was about Barrett's age, and the difference is so vast it's almost unbelievable. How does so much change in four short years?

I watched him today on the swings in the backyard. Just this week he's really figured out how to pump his legs and move his body in rhythm with the motion of the swing. Soon he won't want underdogs or me to push him (though he *always* prefers for other people, even strangers, to push him over me!). He learned how to climb the fence a few weeks ago, and when I sneak peeks at him on the playground at school he does all sorts of things on the playset that I never knew he could do. He suggests new ways to use things and plays long games of pretend (the garage is forever the octohatch from the Octonauts).

Right now, Griffin is really into science. He loves learning about space and picked that as his birthday party theme this year. He is all about being an inventor and creating things. These are pretend things and even blue prints for things. One of his birthday gifts is a lab coat, embroidered with his name and Ph.D after it. Maybe he'll be the first Dr. Whiteside in the family someday.

We had a rough spell that lasted for awhile, but I think we're finally getting over it. He listens easier, cooperates more. Griffin has been super helpful and while his behavior isn't perfect, we're all working on it. Most of the time he is super sweet; he has loved picking me a bazillion dandelions and is really insulted when people call them weeds. He adores them. Last week we ran into a classmate at the park and he offered to walk her to her car...but only after he picked a flower for her. Talk about a gentleman.

Sometimes I watch him sleep and can't believe I'm lucky enough to be his mom. Barrett is so so lucky to have him as his big brother. I'm so so lucky to have him as my son, too.