2 and a 1/2 going on 9 (or 13)

• If you ask Joseph, "how old are you?" He will answer, "9." This started at Nora's birthday celebration last summer when Joseph learned that his cousin Jasper was 9. Then at Thanksgiving when someone asked him how old he was, he changed it to "10" for some reason. I'm thinking because Jasper was standing right next to him . . .
• He has definite ideas about what is "cool" or "not cool" and will certainly let you know his thoughts. (Transformers, superheroes, trains, all thing Halloween and scary, and anything that shots or has to do with sports is cool. Sweaters are not cool. As is anything "for babies." He also likes to let you know what "is for boys" (or girls); of course I am trying to counter this, but cultural indoctrination apparently starts young.
• He loves to follow the big kids around and try to do whatever they do. Climb, play sports, games, etc. . .
• When he is with his best buddies and they have a game going I can barely get his attention. I have to call him over and make him give me a hug goodbye at daycare and when I pick him up he doesn't give me a kiss until we are in the car and away from his friends.
• If you tell him to do something, you can be pretty sure he will do the opposite. A lot of the time I just trick him into thinking it is his idea.
• He has many strategies to get what he wants. Take turns asking each parent (or whoever else is around). Ask in super-cute voice. Whine. Demand. Throw a tantrum. Just like a preteen or teenager whatever is going on in the moment is THE.MOST.IMPORTANT.THING.EVER. He also knows who to ask for what (for example Brad gives in more on sweets and I am more likely to negotiate about clothes).
• If you ask him, "what did you do in school today?" He will often answer with the long parent-dreaded, "nothing." (Luckily, Sarah is very good about communicating with parents what they have done throughout the day, so I can probe and get more out of him.)
• He is very concerned about what he wears. He would wear "baseball shirts" everyday if he could. Last night we had a whole fashion show when he received a number of great Phillies shirts from GG (great-grandma). He gets ideas about what "matches" that are very important to him. And if something is, "not cool," he certainly can't be seen in it.