With time to spare

I'm not sure if anyone will remember this, but for the last two years I've written goals for Ev on his birthday. Here is a link to my thoughts on his fourth birthday. I feel like it's a good way of tracking his progress, and it gives me something specific to work on (anyone who knows me knows how much I love making lists). It gives me great pleasure to say that Ev has accomplished all his goals for this year, with over two months to spare!

1. Potty training--check! Ev's dry and clean even at night, and he rarely has accidents (in fact, the last one was a few weeks ago when he was sick, so I can understand that). Once he set his mind to it this time, it really happened quickly, and I'm really proud of him.
2. Improving speech--check! Ev is so much easier to understand now. I'm always pleasantly surprised when I don't have to translate for him. He still has issues with certain sounds, but he's really made great progress and he continues to improve almost daily. It's such a blessing for us (though I may not say that after he's whined for something for 15 minutes!). He's really getting there.
3. Drinking from a cup--check! Ev has been doing this for a while, but last week I finally threw away the last of our sippy cups. It felt good to make a clean break! And just in time too, because in another month or two Grady's going to be starting on a sippy himself.
4. Accepting a new sibling--check! Ev has done great with this one too. We haven't had many problems at all with the boys (knock wood), aside from when Grady is crying. But even then, Ev tries to comfort him or will suggest to me that Grady is hungry. There are times when Ev wants nothing to do with G, like on the school bus, but I think that's just Ev trying to preserve those areas of life that are solely his. He loves his brother, but preschool is his place.

So that's where we are, two months before Ev turns five. I feel like this has been a wonderful year for him, and next year is going to be even more exciting (kindergarten!). I know he still has a long way to go, but it's great to see him making such significant progress too. Our little man is growing up, and I'm so pleased and proud--time for me to make a new list!