Edward

Edward and Coral got 'married' sometime last year. They go to the same daycare together. Edward just turned five last month and started Kindergarten. He's a 'klubmate' in the before and after school program so he doesn't get to see Coral as much anymore. Edward was so excited when he saw Coral's mom last week and told her about the note I put on Coral's cubbie and that Coral would need her pajamas for the play date. (I think this is the only age I'll be able to laugh at that.)

Saturday, the boys and I met Coral's whole family at a nearby elementary school to play. Edward had a blast showing off on the monkey bars and avoiding the 'lava' while Coral ran around saying Edward was her true love and that she was a princess. When it was time to say goodbye, Edward reciprocated the mint Coral had given him at their greeting with Goldfish. He opened the mini bag of crackers by himself. The bag was ripped too far and I knew that he knew it was going to make a mess. After handing the bag to Coral he reached into our truck, literally pulled out half a box of tissues and handed it to Coral's mom. "Just incase," he said.

Tonight Edward had a karate test. He earned his yellow belt which means he's proficient at three defensive measures. The tests are very private and I couldn't observe him. After his test we waited about 20 minutes for Zachary's class to be over and Edward still had enough leftover energy to run up and down the sidewalk repeatedly. I suspect they could drill him harder next time.

Speaking of time, Edward knows that his Daddy comes home right after Christmas. The last couple of weeks he's stopped asking when Daddy comes home and instead has asked how long it is until Christmas.

Karate seems to be helping Edward pass the time. And when he's not obsessing over his new Spiderman alphabet writing workbook, riding his new bike or lining up his cars in a perfectly straight line he's either watching or playing a video game.

Edward is absolutely fascinated with the Ghostbusters video game. It plays out like the third movie that never got made, so I'm told. He watched Daddy play it and win right before he deployed in June. JG had a Ghostbusters patch made for Edward and put it in a package that arrived this week for the boys.

The awesomeness of the patch wore off quick as Edward realized Daddy sent 'cereal.' A box of Fruity Pebbles, and one each individual servings of Fruit Loops, Cocoa Puffs and Apple Jacks. I hate sugary cereal. I grew up on plain Cheerios, Crispix, Kix, Shredded Wheat, and Corn, Wheat and Rice Chex. And Daddy knows I refuse to buy the 'good' stuff for the boys.

Edward loves being told he is a good listener and that Daddy and I are proud of him. Tonight it was easy to give him praise. He had taken the four boxes of Capri Suns (only 100% juice in this house) and put them in the fridge. Then, Edward said he was going to put he empty boxes in the recycling bin for me outside in the shed. He came in and got four drinks out of the fridge and laid each on a coaster in a perfect row on the end table. I'm guessing he got the fourth one for Daddy. Edward also keeps checking the freezer to make sure the two birthday cupcakes are in there for Daddy.

The new five-year-old got ready for bed without being coached and was satisfied with one bedtime story. Zachary was out cold for the night before I had even went in their room to tuck them in. Edward looked over at Zachary and said if Zachary was sick in the morning that Zachary could stay home with me and he would go to school like a big boy.

Awe.