Tagged

Aryn tagged me, and while I normally try to tactfully ignore a tag, I thought this one was enjoyable. Here's the fourth picture of my fourth folder. I call it "A Boy and His Cat".

You know when you get a family pet, how the animal just sort of attaches to one member of the family? That didn't really happen. Leo spent months trying to hide from and outwit Miles, and would regularly stalk him like prey. But Miles so immediately attached himself to the cat that Leo never really stood a chance. You can't resist that kind of affection, even if it comes with a little bit of child roughness. So now, Leo has grown to actually seek Miles out, and clearly the boy couldn't be happier.

And since my little man turns 7 tomorrow, I might as well take a minute to paint him at 6 so I can remember. Miles is a sociable little fellow. He will talk the ear off of you if you give him the slightest opening--and even if you don't. He knows a lot for a kid his age, since he reads at least an hour a night, and often two or three. He can tell you an unlimited number of facts, things like how many species of sharks there are, or how to make a salt crystal. He loves to learn things, and rarely shies away from a challenge. I use this regularly to get him to perform basic functions like getting dressed. Tell him he loses if he doesn't do what you've asked, and he can't resist. He's particularly motivated by my loudest rendition of "I AM THE CHAMPION".

Miles is all sunshine--unless he's feeling tempestuous. He's a kid who's on or off, go or stop, all or nothing. He might rage if he's restrained in any way, but is so ready to flip to laughter if you give him the slightest chance. His laugh is like a foghorn, and you can't help joining in. He's a naturally happy kid, so despite his need not to be fenced in and the rage that can result, he always returns to cheerful quickly.

He thinks he can do anything better than anyone, and his confidence is such that he almost convinces you. Miles hears advice, but almost never takes it because he's sure he knows better than his advisor. He has to try things on his own. When he was 3, he fell off (more like flipped off) his bike going down a hill. Mike screamed, "Brake, Miles!" at the top of his lungs the entire time, but Miles was going for speed. After we got him home, cleaned off the dirt and blood, and determined not to take him to the ER, I asked him if he would be scared to ride his bike. Nope. Would he do anything differently? He really thought for a minute, and then said simply, "brakes." That's Miles. Trial and error. Heaven help us when he can drive a car.

Lately, Miles has taken to experimenting with his room. He has knocked holes in his walls, carved his name and various other chunks in several surfaces including his bed and desk, and cut several holes the size of a soccer ball in his sheets. Mike, the genius, thought he needed fewer toys, and more tools. Like pocketknives. I think Miles does most of this just sort of to see what will happen, or maybe it's more the way I might doodle if I'm holding a pen. I ask him WHY, and he sort of shrugs, like I'm odd for wondering. So this is what his room looks like now.

Of course, he doesn't mind that I've removed virtually all his stuff--he's started using his bed as a center for exercises and does a little routine each night before he goes to bed. Naturally, we do a lot of checking out his muscles.

Miles is currently loving the first grade, where he thinks of himself as more tutor than student. He's thoroughly enjoying soccer this year, and loves being goalie since at his age, the goalie sees a lot of action. Of course, virtually all activity for Miles is sport. He loves piano lessons, sings all the time and is counting the days until he's allowed to take guitar lessons. He tolerates his sisters beautifully, and is just so full of life and energy that I love the moment he walks in the door after school. He laughs hard and plays hard, and keeps things lively with his never-ending projects and experiments. I feel that if we can survive his childhood and instill a little self-control in the boy, he's really going to be a spectacular adult! Happy birthday, my middle child.