Josiah Yee

Sleeping Through the Night

2012-05-12T00:44:53Z

Now that Josiah is 5-1/2 years old, he has reached a new milestone. He is sleeping through the night. In all honesty, he has been doing this for quite some time. Up until last week, each night around 11pm someone would need to get him out of bed and take him to the bathroom or he would wake up all wet having "had a dream about swimming" or "gotten really sweaty" sometime around 4am. He never really woke up for these dream tinkles and he'd often talk to us about nonsensical things, sometimes involving Eila or Thad.

Electric Cars

2012-04-09T15:17:00Z

I was reminded of this story when I was putting Josiah to bed last night...

We went to the auto show in January and Josiah picked up a number of manufacturer's booklets and posters. One of the posters he grabbed was from Tesla motors showing a large photo of a white Model S against a black background. We talked a bit about how Tesla makes electric cars and about the other booklets and options.

Eventually Josiah wanted to put this poster up in his room along with all the print-outs he had colored of various cars from Cars 2. Once we had put it up on his wall he said to me, "Now I know what electric cars look like, Dad. They're white".

Yes. Electric cars are white.

Connect Four

2012-02-10T03:47:34Z

Sometimes the brothers play games together. When they play Connect Four, it usually goes something like this:
TJ plays first and puts his piece in on the left side. Josiah plays his color on the opposite end of the playing area. TJ plays a second piece on top of his own first. Josiah plays a second piece on top of his first. TJ plays a third piece on top of his first two pieces. Josiah plays in his column. TJ wins with his next play. So, then they play again, but the disappointed Josiah goes first and follows the same pattern, winning with great excitement and surprise, loving the justice of it all!

Facial Hair

2012-02-03T03:44:43Z

The boys were talking about Daddy's whiskers growing on his chin. He explained that when they get older they'll grow whiskers too. Josiah responds with "Oh yeah, well I want hair to grow here (gesturing widely at the area around his eyes and forehead)."

Middle Child

2012-01-27T20:50:22Z

Josiah sometimes has a rough time finding his place in the family. He really wants his own room; it's just not fair that Eila does. He really wants help with things he can/should do himself; "Why do you do it for Thad?" He has to share his toys with the big and little sibling. He has to do chores while Eila is at school and TJ is napping. Sometimes he still has to nap and do chores...

On the up side, his picture frame on Mom's night stand has a picture of him in it. He has a ready playmate whenever his heart desires. He is able to see what is coming and look forward to new privileges and responsibilities. He can look back and remember when he used to do those silly things and realize how big he is now. Josiah learns valuable skills like following directions (from his big sis) and being a strong leader (for his lil bro).

Unfortunately, he got Eila's stomach flu and Thad's cold recently, which shows that he really is the middle kid.

Christmas List

2011-12-01T15:25:38Z

Dear Santa,

I would like:
jet planes
100 cars that race
100 cars that watch
1 huge race track (like this)
a small TV that hooks on my bed with a small remote
a gondola that goes across my room (like this)
Stars Wars books
Captain Underpants books

Love, Josiah

Q&A

2011-10-26T12:39:34Z

D: What holiday is coming up after Halloween?
J: Thanksgiving.
D: What do we celebrate on Thanksgiving?
J: Chickens.

---

J: Who is the oldest man in the world? Try to guess.
D: (naming some older men in Josiah's world.)
J: Nope. Uncle Chris!
D: (after laughter subsides) Why is that?
J: Because he's the tallest.

Josiah is Five Years Old

2011-09-19T18:34:39Z

While Josiah has gotten a bit taller, over 42 inches now, and a bit heavier, about 38 pounds, some things haven't changed as much (His hair is still red). Josiah still loves to play all sorts of water related things as well as digging in the dirt and mud. He really enjoys all things related to space and flight and has not wavered in his interest of cars. Josiah is growing up though and how has lots of fun playing games, like Clue Jr. and Guess Who? He is also very good at writing his name and knows his address and phone number. Josiah is also a great helper in the kitchen. He continues to wake up early and doesn't really like to nap, but still needs to most days. His favorite things include: car racing, watching 3D movies, and making planes and rockets. This fall, now that he is five, he's happy to start school at home. His favorite subjects are art and gym. For his birthday, Josiah got his room re-decorated and a bunk bed.
Here is a picture of his new room:

VBS

2011-07-22T19:09:50Z

Josiah went to his first real Vacation Bible School experience this week with the "Shake it Up" cafe. He learned about God and ate lots of candy and especially enjoyed seeing Chef Dan become an ice cream sundae. He also liked singing and the story each day with a cool science experiment. But, he didn't like the other boys talking about potty words. He says "I'm too big for that."

Things You Never Think You'd Have to Say...

2011-06-04T03:06:20Z

The other day I said to Josiah, "Get that fork out of your pants!"

A Few Whiles

2011-05-27T17:36:31Z

Expressions of time are mostly all sorted out in our 4-1/2 year-olds mind, but he persists in using the phrase "in a few whiles" meaning "in a little while" or "in a few minutes."

I think it's almost reached it's end though as just today I heard him say "in a few weeks." Too bad because it's pretty cute, IMO.

Two-Wheeled Wonder

2011-05-24T01:06:17Z

Last weekend, Josiah mastered riding a two-wheeler. Since Thaddeus' birthday, we've been working to convince him that riding a big kid bike would be a good thing, but he remained staunchly opposed to the risk of falling in this endeavor.

He has, however, been practicing riding his little brother's new Skuut and getting pretty good at it. So, after a bit of persuasion and a promise of a treat, he gave it a go. And, within about 3 minutes, Josiah was riding all on his own. With another 10 minutes of practice, he was feeling more confident and began to practice starting and stopping on his own. Before a half hour past, Josiah rode all the way around the block with no trouble at all, except for exhausting Daddy who ran alongside - just in case.

Homesick

2011-02-26T16:50:02Z

While we were flying toward our vacation destination, Josiah was crying in his tiredness and desire to get off the plane. He was homesick.
As we were pelted with sleet while swimming in La Gaviota hot springs, Josiah was afraid. "I'm homesick!"
When the waves crashed in around his feet on the beach and knocked him down, taking one of his shoes out into the sea, Josiah was cold and wet. Again, he was homesick.
Just as we were heading outside into the cold, snowy morning back home, he was no longer homesick. He whimpered, "I'm LA-sick."

Soggy Day

2010-11-15T02:46:28Z

Last week we had a few mornings that started with Josiah opening the door and exploring the clouds that were on the ground. He ran all around in the sog (fog) and had so much fun. He invited his siblings to join him and yelled to the neighbors and anyone who might not know the joy of a warm fall morning. He tried hard to say fog, but every time it came out sog.

Christmas List

2010-11-06T18:06:57Z

Here are a few ideas for gifts, straight from Josiah:
football guys (that's actually what they're called)
climbing thing to climb up to the top (rope to climb up the tree)
race track, like Wheelie Zip Bin or for Slot Cars (for cars - especially a trip to Lightning Speedway to use their race tracks)
my own computer
Jungle Java card
skateboard
sled
sand for the sandbox
rake and snow shovel
Brainquest
magnetic mosaico or Imaginets or Tangoes Jr.
Take-a-part Crane Truck
Connect Four
Tumbling Mat

These were added by Mom.
socks, gloves, hat, snow boots - size 9?
pants (khakis, black, brown, gray) - size 4, adjustable waist
lace up/practice sewing kits
Beginner Dinner Games