May 2014: 44 months (3 years and 8 months old)

Dear Patrick,
This month

• You call the game Angry Birds, “Pig Shots.”
• I’m not sure how you came up with this, but you call one of your toy cars a “Madagascar Car.” So I guess its from Africa...?
• While doing the laundry, a pile of rocks fell out of your shirt into the washer.  You had put a fist full of tiny pebbles from the playground at school into the front square pocket of your red shirt.  Lesson learned: check pockets.
• You have been changing your mind a lot lately (a form of testing, we think.) "Patrick, you can watch Peppa Pig or nothing on television. Those are your options. Oh, really? Nothing you say [with a bit of attitude]?!  Well, OK, then.  You made your choice." And off goes the TV.  Cue you changing your mind and the fit of remorseful tears that follow.  But too bad.  Growing up is tough.   
• I noticed that you have a few tiny freckles on your nose and cheek.
• One day you rubbed my back with your little hand and whispered in my ear, “that means I love you.”
• The Howells (next door) own four chickens - they actually got them last month over Easter, but you have really taken an interest this month.  You walk over to their house, and let yourself in their backyard gate to play.
• You noticed a large woman on the street on a Thursday at “Downtown Alive.” As you were walking hand-in-hand with your father, you pointed at her with your other hand and loudly exclaimed, "you're FAT!" Apparently there was no music playing and really obvious.  Your father promptly had a long talk with you about being polite and keeping some observations to yourself.  
• We’ve explained the words: detour, patience, evergreen and slope this month.  (Are these like the random items of food you buy at the grocery store that in theory explain a lot about you to the cashier?)
• We taught you “en garde” and “touche” so at least we now sword fight in style.
• We had a lot of fun at Artisphere, one of your first real music concerts! You saw Blitzen Trapper play a great show downtown at the outside amphitheater behind the Peace Center. You loved the hula hoops, dancing and running around in the crowd. Your father and I took turns following you, tag-team style.  It was a great night and one of the latest you have ever stayed up, around 10:30pm. A great Saturday in May!
• You told me that “ladies drink wine.”  Interesting observation. 
• For “password,” you say “passage word,” which I love because frankly its better.
• You and I went to Macon for Memorial Day weekend, and your highlights were: worms in the Hope’s garden, surprises (toys) from Omi & Pop on your shelf, croissants, the pool Omi made for you, Mr. Melvin, and Tom’s tractor.
• You went to the dentist for the first time and loved it.  You asked a million questions and particularly liked “Mr. Thirsty,” the pirate glasses Dr. Kenna wore, and the bubble gum flavor toothpaste. The doc couldn’t believe how happy you were in his office - he scraped, polished, flossed and gave you a fluoride rinse.  “This kid should maybe think about dental school,” he told me.
• You asked, "Mom, what does Yoda do?"