Atticus Age 5

I was behind on writing this blog and then my phone completely died with a lot of my notes on all the adorable and fun anecdotes and memories I had of Atticus in his fifth year written on it.  So I'm doing my best to remember some things and then, as usual, I'll post a million pictures.

I don't know how I lucked out in getting such a sweet, happy, fun, and smart little boy.  He's so proud of himself when he tries something new or when he succeeds after working hard.  He gets so excited and proud even over little things.  Like even when he remembered to call it a snowplow instead of a snowblower.  "Mama!  I said it the right way on the first try!"
He's can be a little bossy but he is still the sweetest big brother to Jonny.  He dotes on her and takes care of her.  He even uses a cute voice with her when she's tired or sad.
He's such a sweetheart.  He tells me he loves me all day long and he'll randomly reach over and kiss me a lot.  Just whatever part of me he can reach.  My arm, knee, shoulder, etc.
He often points out beauty in nature.  He'll talk about how much he loves the mountains or a pretty sunset or just if something is pretty as we're driving.
He started preschool in Logan and loved it.  But since we've moved to Boston, he's just in a co-op with 4 other kids in our ward.  He is the only boy and he has no problem with it.  I think some of the girls have crushes on him but he has no idea what that even means and just loves having his little friends.
With the co-op preschool they were doing a reading program.  I haven't been too keen on teaching him to read because he was so young and I really don't want him to feel pressured or anything but he was anxious to so we went with it.  he picked up on it so quick.  He started the co-op right after Thanksgiving and 3 weeks later he was sounding out words on signs and graffiti.  By the time his birthday came the kid was reading level F books with no problem and loving it so much.
He got really into space around his birthday.  He especially loved black holes and drawing pictures of them and the planets.
He went through a phase earlier in the year where he said "Just kidding" after everything.  Whether he was being silly or trying to be naughty.  There was a lot of just kidding following his words.  It was not my favorite.
 Some funny things he says:  
He calls Heaven, Heavenly Father.  
In the Wise Man and the Foolish Man he sings "The rain came down and the flowers came up"
He calls root beer, root beard and puppets, poppits.
Says "Be end" for the end (even when reading it).
Calls the game "Hide and sneak"
Because of his potty-mouthed mother, he knows very well what words are grown-up words and is very cautious about not using them.  So imagine my surprise when we were at the Bronson's over Christmas and he let out a "What the hell?"  Me: "Excuse me, what did you just say?" (Fully expecting him to make an excuse or quickly apologize) Atticus: (With a bit of hidden pride and amusement.) "I said what the hell."

"Mom, check out my bommett."

 At the treehouse museum in Ogden

So proud he got himself ready for church. 

 My best boy on Mother's Day

Winking.

 I love this picture of him running.

Taking some babies out for a walk.

Ready for a swim

Always taking good care of Jonny.  (He's checking her temperature.)

 Riding with daddy.

Goggly eyes

He had her dress up like him and then they were wearing hangers as earrings

He's "devastatingly handsome"

Atticus was my date to the James Taylor concert.  This boy could pick out James' voice at age 2.

He discovered a love for spinach and all kinds of dressing.  Especially blue cheese.

Little Gentleman with Jersi the princess.

He has a flair for the dramatic

Metting his new cousin London Bronson

His first day of preschool and his self chosen pose.

So excited!

Watching the salmon jump up the waterfall.

James Bond

Preschool fieldtrip with Ava Farmer and Noah Bowen

Sitting like such a gentleman

Looking out at the beautiful sky.

His ghost he made at preschool and the oak tree we planted last summer.

Cuddling Jonny

Professor McSnoot

Trying out his "roller skaters"

The saddest thing for him about moving across the country was leaving "his paint" AKA the stenciled letters in his room.

This was at a museum in Ohio with my brother's family.  He was terrified of a sloth in a glass cage.

Boston Common

He LOVES doing puzzles

At a Jazz game over Christmas break

He also loves science and engineering.

 Rupunzel

This was when he was up way past bedtime over Christmas break

He went through a weeks-long phase where he would only sleep on the floor.

He was so pleased with his backward hat because he thought it would make me happy that he looked like Luke on Gilmore Girls.

Always sharing and giving Jonny rides.

He begged us all winter to go to the beach, so as soon as it wasn't frozen, we drove to the closest one to check it out.

And this was another beach exploration in New Hampshire.  And it was sooooo cold!

He made a space ship.

Working at his co-op preschool.

Lambie

His 5-year-old interview

He wrote me some songs

And another excellent song