lost and found

Grant has been coming down with a cold over the past few days.  It’s not been anything that’s slowed him down, just a runny nose and losing his voice.  The voice business has been the biggest deal. 

Before we explained that he’d lost his voice he liked to shriek so it would cut off.  Once I noticed I told him he’d lost his voice.  He was very confused about where he could have lost it, offering suggestions as to where he maybe misplaced it.  “Maybe I left it downstairs when I was playing?” 

This morning his voice was a little squeaky and I said “yeah, your voice is probably still gone.”  He sat there for a minute and then asked what a voice was.  I explained it was when sound came out of your mouth.  He stewed on that for a bit and then very seriously told me “I’m not sure how I’m going to get it back in my mouth”. 

I love how every thing is so literal. 

Little dood’s a 4 year old!

I can’t  believe it’s been 4 years!  Last night before bed we put all of Grant’s presents in the living room and then I put up some streamers in the hallway leading out to the living room.  I thought one of 2 things would surely happen.  He would either A. wake up in the middle of the night as he’s been doing off and on over the past few weeks and upon going into our room the streamers in the dark would scare the heck out of him OR he’d wake up and see the streamers and run out screaming happily about his presents and rip them all open before we could get out there.  Turns out Grant threw us a curve ball.  He woke up.. didn’t even look down the hallway.. came into our bedroom and had completely forgotten it was his birthday AND that involved presents.  This is the kid who has told me he wanted X for his birthday at EVERY SINGLE COMMERCIAL that is on.  I’ve had to have countless talks with him about expectations and being grateful for the things he’s getting.  So Peter actually had time to get up and get dressed.. go down the hall and get the camera ready and then wait for us to come out.  He was very excited about his new Geotrax airplanes and extra track pieces (thanks Brian!) and his books from Granny, Leapster2 from Gramma and Grampa and marker set from Sarah and Luca and Arabella.  The have all been played with over and over today. 

We got him a ginourmous chocolate cake from Costco and lit candles and he took about 5 minutes of the candle burning time to tell us his wish.. which went a little something like “I wish Henry to take lots of naps and we go and do fun stuff like picking raspberries and beans and doing lots of fun things outside and stuff and things when Henry is down to a nap and (on and on and on)”.  We have some toys and games that we only pull out when little brother is asleep – as Henry keeps eating things and would lose all the pieces in about a minute flat.  Apparently Grant really values his time when Henry is having his nap.  :) 

It’s hard to put into words what a wonder it really is to see Grant’s little personality developing.  He's a ham and jokester.. and known to his teachers as this as well.  He has always been an observer from a really really young age.  His giggle is so completely infectious that you can’t help but smile and be happy.  He’s a great and nurturing, big brother.  Of course he has his moments when sharing was not on his agenda and he’s not happy about it.. but I love peeking in from the other room when they’re unaware and seeing Grant helping Henry figure out how to fix something or with his arm draped over his shoulder while they watch Dora.  He’s a good egg.  I love him.