For the Love of Kids

I love the contrasting sides of our children. It's one of my favorite things that I didn't know I was going to love. I think it's fair to say that when we have kids, we all know we will love the squishy babies, hearing kids laugh, seeing holidays through their eyes, and dressing them in the cute little outfits (I'm told boys don't wear outfits, but it's my blog).

I didn't know how much I'd love seeing my loud, dirt loving, gun fanatic, wrestling maniac five-year-old turn into the sweetest and most gentle big brother while holding his baby sister. He sits and quietly tells her stories about his fishing and hunting conquests unaware of anyone else in the room, and my heart absolutely melts.

Then we have my slightly crusty, flannel loving, mismatching three-year-old that will choose a princess dress from the costume closet because although he likes sand and rocks and sticks and filth, he also likes and appreciates things that are beautiful.

I love when our boys are tough as nails, but I also welcome their morning cuddles; that they will force themselves to eat jalapenos with their dad, but will also drink warm milk while I drink my coffee; that they will do whatever it takes to win, but will also give sweet encouragement to someone just learning a new game or skill (although, let me tell you, they have no mercy for the weak in UNO. I'm still licking my wounds and considering how I can stack the deck in future rounds. How does a three-year-old already know card strategy?! Not good!).

I love these contrasting sides so much, but wasn't wholly aware until earlier this week when my friend's little boy scooped up a dead mouse with his right hand and handed his mom a bouquet of flowers with his left...

That pretty much sums up our boys and makes my heart happy...and my stomach a little weak.

Cheers and don't forget to wash your hands!

Comments

Pink Stinks

Our girls, like most four-year-old girls, love pink. And purple. And sparkly things, unicorns, butterflies, lizards and cats. But especially pink. Their brothers aren't so fond of pink. They prefer the color dirt. I know this because it's what they have chosen for the color of our walls, windows, light switches and their socks. "Do you like pink?" Emerson asked Fischer one day not long ago. "No." "Why?" "Because pink stinks !" Cue 'angry tears and screaming.' This of course delighted her brother who began using the line anytime he wanted to see her cry. Which was often. It didn't change her passion for the color, however. She still demanded the pink plate, pink cup, pink shirt, pink shoes, and pink gum if she had the choice. Because pink is the best when you're four. Fast forward a couple of weeks. The girls were collecting pieces of garbage off the van floor. Why? I don't know, b...

Fear Factor

Did you know that it has been not scientifically proven that a baby can smell her mother's presence through a closed door. It's probably the smell of fear that they are actually attuned to, but nonetheless. I hold my breath and walk on tiptoe past the baby's room and still get busted nearly every time. My fear is pungent. Besides waking the babies, I have another fear currently in the forefront of my mind. Don't mind me, this is just another episode of True Confessions.. . Here it is: the boys are getting so much outside time that they are building up incredible endurance. It's great really, but it is becoming so hard to wear them out. It used to be an hour at the playground and we were golden. Now, they basically put in an eight-hour workday, and it's just a warm-up! Does anybody have a treadmill....? Real school is going to be a bit of an adjustment for the big guy next fall. Speaking of s...

Reflecting

It's August. I guess I can stop waiting for that call from the Oregon Department of Education. It appears I didn't earn teacher of the year after all. I wonder if it had something to do with my mask policy? It definitely could have been the mask policy. Personally, I thought the duct tape worked great. *Sigh* It was probably the mask policy. You win some. You lose some. Better luck next year. Speaking of next year, we are trying a hybrid homeschool program. Sawyer gets to go to school twice a week and learn at home the other days. I'm confident he will fall in love with his teacher in the first eight minutes. She is young, cute and very enthusiastic. It's going to either make him work really hard or be a complete distraction. Either way, on the "home" days, I'm going to make her look really good. Pajama Mama is neither young nor cute and I'm rarely enthusiastic (which may have als...

Not so adventures of the St. Clair clan...

Search This Blog