The Complexities of Four

To the causal bystander, four always looks like a casual, carefree age. It's a time when children are supposed to play with toys, have adventures, and explore the world. Four is that magical time between Kindergarten and toddlerhood. There is no stopping the imagination at this age. The sky isn't even the limit; life is limitless for a four year old.

I have the pleasure of living with a wonderful four year old boy who is imaginative and curious. He yearns for an answer for all of the mysteries of the world and then uses them in his creative play. Just this weekend after a conversation about airplanes, he was standing at the train table (which has been turned into the car table) with one of my high heeled shoes and a whole handful of miniature action figure. I watched, bemused, as all of the figures had conversations about flying, and how no one should be afraid. Then, the shoe plane took off and flew around the house. When I asked him to fly into a different room, he told me that wasn't in the flight plan and moved on. To me, that shows how amazing the age of four is. He understands and yet he can create so freely because no one has explained to him that there are rules for things like that.

And yet, I fear that he is picking up more than I ever thought he would. I fear that these magical years are leaving us.

Drew understands that most people have jobs and, to my surprise, he has thought of his career. A few weeks before Christmas, he declared that when he grew up, he wanted to be Santa Claus so he could deliver presents to all of the "good kids". Well, that just tickled me to no end. Then yesterday, Drew came home from school and said that he really wanted to be a soldier. Even though I respect that career choice, the mom in me is pushing for Santa.

Work isn't the only thing on his mind, apparently, his family is too. Not too long ago, Drew declared the singer, Katy Perry--of the "I Kissed a Girl" song--his "best girl". Though this is a brazen choice for four years old, it shouldn't surprise me. Mark has always been attracted to the pinup girl style and it's only natural for Drew to follow his lead. It's still a little scary though. I've been praying for Drew to choose a thoughtful, nice woman to be his wife--when he's in his TWENTIES. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he'd choose a wild child at the age of FOUR.

(I need to add a sidenote here. We usually favor XM kids and the Playhouse Disney Soundtrack over mainstream radio for Drew. One night we happened to be watching So You Think You Can Dance and Ms. Perry was singing. It's been love ever since.)

I was offered a glimmer of hope yesterday when Drew went up to his preschool teacher and said, "One day I'm going to have to have a wife. Will you marry me?" How very sweet! But then the glimmer was over when Drew told me that he now had two girls. Ugh! Girl problems already!

I am holding on to the sweet moment of four with both hands. It worries me so much that the whimsy may be on it's way out the window. Youth is fleeting and the best parts of it leave so quickly. So for right now, I'll try to shelter my son, keeping him from those things that will make him grow up too quickly.

Here's to Four!