ABC's

Karsten is absolutely cracking us up these days with his new-found independence and the constant flexing of his individuality.  His latest love that has us all grinning from ear to ear every day is writing his ABC's, and, along with that, climbing up on the school table to do so.  He is quickly learning his colors because of his close association with markers, highlighters, colored pencils, crayons, and pens of all types. He's also quite proud of his pages and pages of scribbles that he claims are "ABC's."

To be honest, the kid is something of a wonder in his writing techniques - the way he holds his pencil and his attention to tiny details (you can see it in some of the following pictures where he'll really hunker down close to the paper to draw something tiny).  He loves to demand that mommy come and "see yit!" whenever he writes something.  And he all-too-happily tells me stories about the things he's drawing: "Bug. Ew."; "Moon, Mommy, see yit!"; "Peerot (parrot). Ha! Peerot."

While he's perched on the school table, he never misses an opportunity to sharpen pencils.  It's great because I don't have to anymore; I'm much obliged, little man.  He'll sometimes put a pencil in and leave it there, slightly above the blade, motor running, while he returns to his writing.  Because I'm really good at tuning out background noise, it'll take me a while to realize there's been a constant buzzing and run to the rescue of the laboring motor.  But, he's usually good about putting them in and taking them out and not pushing down too hard.

Man alive, I love this kid.  He is such a hoot every. single. day.  At a time when I'm keenly feeling the drudgery of every day (I hate the 8th month, people), it's the prospect of seeing what he learns next that makes me even the slightest bit excited to get up in the mornings.

I LOVE this picture.  Love. It.  They were giving each other a high five.  They are such good buddies!