Buttons, Bows and Belts

Those are the things Noah is into right now:)  He is *very* determined.  Did I mention he's determined?  And persistent?  And a perfectionist?  If it is not perfectly perfect the way he wants something, he WILL keep doing whatever he's doing over and over again until it is just right.  Simon calls it "stick-to-it-iveness".  Their little catch phrase is "If you stick to it, you can do it."  I like it! 

Except on those mornings when we really need to be somewhere on time and Noah takes a good 5-10 minutes extra getting ready because the velcro was not lined up perfectly on his shoes.  Actually, as I'm typing this, maybe it doesn't really make us that late, it just feels like an eternity when you're sitting there, tight-lipped, allowing your child the time to work through his own frustrations and not just rushing in to fix it for him.  I try so hard not to rush him and to respect his wishes, but sometimes I just want to scream, "Just put on your dang shoes and let's go!"  Patience is a virtue...and I have to constantly remind myself to practice what I preach.  If I expect him to be patient and tolerant, I have to model it. 

Attempting to tie bows is another biggie around here (he can do the first criss-cross step, but is still working on the "bunny ears"). 

Buttoning the tiniest of buttons has been a huge, frustration-provoking breakthrough!  Talk about fine motor skills!  He "helps"  daddy get ready in the morning by buttoning all the tiny buttons on his work shirt and pants, then fastens his belt for him.  What would Simon do without him???!!  I've even had to put on one of daddy's shirts to let Noah button it up in the morning because Simon had to leave in a rush and Noah was super bummed out that he didn't get to button his buttons. 
And wearing a belt, just like daddy is a huge thrill :)  Even to bed...how many people do you know that sleep in jeans and a belt?  His "skinny jeans", which he picked out all on his own (which is fascinating to me because I always buy him loose, comfy clothes so he can move about freely) and his big boy belt are the new "pajamas"  apparently LOL!  It looks so uncomfortable, but hey, it's his body!

Oh and his spiderman costume came and he wears it every single day.  I've already had to sew it three times.  (And I'm not a very good sewer LOL).  He is so proud of that costume.  I wonder how long before my little spiderman retires and moves on to something else?  So far his obsessions have gone from hot wheels cars, to Cars movie cars, to Cat in the Hat, and now Spiderman.  I can't wait to see what other phases lie ahead of us!