A couple of weeks ago, several members of our immediate and extended family took a road trip to a nearby mountain town. During the day, we skied down the slopes like lunatics trying to keep up with Son #1. In the evenings, we took leisurely walks through the charming town. Son #1 and Son #2 found the walks to be very exciting. There were so many things to explore, climb, and inspect.
On one particular walk, my mom and I strolled with the boys past shops in the cold mountain air. An icy breeze nipped at our cheeks as the boys jumped on large boulders strategically placed in the landscaping. Son #1 bounded easily from rock to rock. Son #2 analyzed every step that Son #1 took before attempting to climb the very same rocks. The boys shrieked with laughter as they played their little game.
Suddenly, Son #1 saw a huge boulder at the edge of a parking lot. He sprinted to the rock and scrambled to the top. My eldest son pushed his chest into the air, extended his arms high over his head, and cried loudly. "I'm the king of the rock!"
Son #2 took notice of his older brother and raced to the large rock. He stretched his hands over the top of the boulder, dug his knees into the sides, and dragged himself to where his brother stood. Carefully, he balanced his weight as he slowly extended his arms above his head. "I da king of da rock!" My youngest son roared.
Son #1 hopped down from the boulder and leaped to another. He glanced at his younger brother with a cheerful smile and yelled again. "I'm king of the rock!"
Son #2 laughed with delight. Then, he held his tiny hand out and shouted. "Help me get down, Mama!"
As soon as I placed Son #2 onto the sidewalk, he raced to the next rock and crawled to the top. With great care, my youngest son stood with his hands reaching to the sky. "I king of da rock!" He screamed.
Son #1 giggled and said to his brother. " I bet I can beat you to the next rock."
"Les race!" Son #2 responded gleefully.
"On your mark. Get set. Go!" Son #1 and Son #2 began to race but had to stop because it was too dark to run like wild minions.
"Come back and hold our hands!" My mom and I called out to the two little monkeys.
"Aww! Do we have to?" Son #1 complained. "We were racing!"
"Yes. You need to hold our hands. It's too dark right now." I explained.
Son #2 squirmed and wiggled trying to avoid grabbing my mom's hand. Son #1 pouted and placed his hands in his pockets. Eventually after a bit of discussion, the boys did hold our hands as we continued to walk down the street. Soon, the boys yawned and rubbed their eyes. It was getting late so we turned back toward the hotel. As we walked down the moonlit sidewalk, the boys spied one last rock to climb. They sleepily clambered to the top of the rock and called out once more for the town to hear. "I'm king of the rock!"
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Mowing with Dad
A few weeks ago, my husband stepped out into the front yard to mow the lawn. Son #2 tagged along to peek at the mower. As my husband fueled up the tank, Son #2 chattered away with excitement.
"Daddy, you gonna mow?" Son #2 asked with wide eyes.
"Sure am." My husband replied as he attached the bag for grass cuttings.
"Oh wow!" Son #2 exclaimed. "I wanna mow, too!"
My husband grunted absentmindedly as he inspected the mower one last time. Then, my husband pulled back on the starter and began to cut the lawn. Son #2 was amazed at the loud noise. He placed his hands over his ears and shouted to my husband. "Too loud, Daddy!"
My husband could not hear a thing as the engine of the mower roared. He motioned for our youngest son to stay close by as he pushed the mower across the lawn. Son #2 obediently ran after his dad. Periodically, my little boy patted the branches of bushes or peered at the naked limbs of a small tree. Then, Son #2 got an idea. Quickly, my little boy ran back to the garage and grabbed a dolly from among the tools. Using his tiny muscles, Son #2 pushed the dolly forward with all his might. Eventually, my little boy got the dolly onto the grass.
Son #2 followed my husband with his own "mower" turning at the appropriate times. My husband looked back at his youngest son and gave him a thumbs up sign. Son #2 yelled. "Look Daddy! I mowing!"
My husband laughed. "Good! Follow me!"
Son #2 followed his dad without deviating from his path. I happened to be outside while this all took place and snapped a couple pictures. For a second, I was transported back in time to when my oldest son would follow my husband with his own "mower". I could visualize Son #1 toddling behind my husband with a sit-to-stand walker shouting. "Look Mommy! Look Daddy! I mowing!" Once again, a wave of nostalgia passed over me. Then, I leaned against my car with a sigh and thought. "Kids grow up so fast."
"Daddy, you gonna mow?" Son #2 asked with wide eyes.
"Sure am." My husband replied as he attached the bag for grass cuttings.
"Oh wow!" Son #2 exclaimed. "I wanna mow, too!"
My husband grunted absentmindedly as he inspected the mower one last time. Then, my husband pulled back on the starter and began to cut the lawn. Son #2 was amazed at the loud noise. He placed his hands over his ears and shouted to my husband. "Too loud, Daddy!"
My husband could not hear a thing as the engine of the mower roared. He motioned for our youngest son to stay close by as he pushed the mower across the lawn. Son #2 obediently ran after his dad. Periodically, my little boy patted the branches of bushes or peered at the naked limbs of a small tree. Then, Son #2 got an idea. Quickly, my little boy ran back to the garage and grabbed a dolly from among the tools. Using his tiny muscles, Son #2 pushed the dolly forward with all his might. Eventually, my little boy got the dolly onto the grass.
Son #2 followed my husband with his own "mower" turning at the appropriate times. My husband looked back at his youngest son and gave him a thumbs up sign. Son #2 yelled. "Look Daddy! I mowing!"
My husband laughed. "Good! Follow me!"
Son #2 followed his dad without deviating from his path. I happened to be outside while this all took place and snapped a couple pictures. For a second, I was transported back in time to when my oldest son would follow my husband with his own "mower". I could visualize Son #1 toddling behind my husband with a sit-to-stand walker shouting. "Look Mommy! Look Daddy! I mowing!" Once again, a wave of nostalgia passed over me. Then, I leaned against my car with a sigh and thought. "Kids grow up so fast."
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Playing in the Snow
We have had snow (and ice) off and on for a couple weeks. Nothing makes me happier, than looking out my window into a yard covered by a fresh blanket of snow. The clouds hang low in the sky and create a grey, dreamy haze. At night, the moonlight bounces off the snow drifts lighting up our neighborhood like a winter wonder land. Then, the sun comes out. Sun rays cause the snow to gleam with intensity. I love winter and I love snow.
The boys love the snow as well. Each time the first few snowflakes begin to fall, the kids beg to put on the skis and ski in the backyard. Usually, we'll ski in the backyard if there is good snow cover. If the yard is mostly ice, then we just play.
The other day, sleet began to fall. Son #1 and Son #2 sat by the window in the living room with their noses glued to the window pane. Their eyes lit up as the ground filled up with ice. "Mom!" Son #1 shouted. "I bet they will cancel school tomorrow."
"We'll see what happens." I said cheerfully.
"I wanna go ski." Son #2 called out.
"If there is enough snow on the ground, I'll bring out my skis." I responded.
"Hurray!!!" The two boys cried out together. I laughed as the kids continued to watch ice bounce off the grass.
A few days later, a layer of snow covered our grass. The boys cheered as they gazed at the winter wonderland before them. I fixed a hearty breakfast, dressed the boys in their snow clothes, and shooed them out into the backyard. Socks, the dog, scampered after them as they stomped across the small mounds of snow. After I ate my breakfast, I threw on my jacket, grabbed the skis, and ran out to play with my kids. Son #1 and Son #2 screamed as I closed the back door. "The skis! The skis!"
I gazed at my two children hopping up and down in the snow. They were so excited. To avoid any fighting, I suggested to Son #1. "Hey, let's have your little brother ski first. Then, you can ski after him."
Son #1 thought for a moment about my suggestion. Then, he smiled and agreed. "Yeah! That sounds good." Quickly, Son #1 turned to his brother and said. "Bro, go get into the ski boots."
I lifted my youngest son off the ground and removed his shoes. Carefully, I placed his feet into my ski boots. Once he was secured into the boots, I began to push him across the yard. Son #2 screeched with delight. "I skiing! I skiing!"
When Son #2 had skied a couple laps around the yard, I called out to my oldest son. "O.K. Now it's your turn." Slowly, I lifted my little baby out of the ski boots. As I held him in the air, I dusted the snow from his legs. Then, I slipped Son #2's shoes onto his feet. Once the shoes were on his feet, Son #2 quickly wriggled out of my arms back into the snow.
Son #1 tugged on my jacket and asked. "Can you help me get into your ski boots?"
"Of course!" I said with a smile. Son #1 held onto my shoulder while I removed one of his shoes. He carefully stepped into the first boot. Then, he lifted his other foot so I could remove the second shoe. Once his feet were secured into the ski boots, I gave Son #1 a push across the snow. He skated smoothly from one end of the yard to the other end several times.
Eventually, the snow melted away. However, winter was not over yet. Today, we were blessed with another round of snow. Overnight, a strong wind blew the snow up against the house creating a good sized snow drift. The boys shrieked with joy as they ran out to play in the snow again. This time, they created forts and oblong snowmen. They even drove their toy cars through the snow tunnels inside the forts. By the time the boys finished playing, their cheeks were bright red and their shoes were soaked. Once inside the house, they stripped off their snow clothes and collapsed onto their beds in exhaustion.
Note to Self: Playing in snow = a great nap for the kids
(I REALLY love snow!)
The boys love the snow as well. Each time the first few snowflakes begin to fall, the kids beg to put on the skis and ski in the backyard. Usually, we'll ski in the backyard if there is good snow cover. If the yard is mostly ice, then we just play.
The other day, sleet began to fall. Son #1 and Son #2 sat by the window in the living room with their noses glued to the window pane. Their eyes lit up as the ground filled up with ice. "Mom!" Son #1 shouted. "I bet they will cancel school tomorrow."
"We'll see what happens." I said cheerfully.
"I wanna go ski." Son #2 called out.
"If there is enough snow on the ground, I'll bring out my skis." I responded.
"Hurray!!!" The two boys cried out together. I laughed as the kids continued to watch ice bounce off the grass.
A few days later, a layer of snow covered our grass. The boys cheered as they gazed at the winter wonderland before them. I fixed a hearty breakfast, dressed the boys in their snow clothes, and shooed them out into the backyard. Socks, the dog, scampered after them as they stomped across the small mounds of snow. After I ate my breakfast, I threw on my jacket, grabbed the skis, and ran out to play with my kids. Son #1 and Son #2 screamed as I closed the back door. "The skis! The skis!"
I gazed at my two children hopping up and down in the snow. They were so excited. To avoid any fighting, I suggested to Son #1. "Hey, let's have your little brother ski first. Then, you can ski after him."
Son #1 thought for a moment about my suggestion. Then, he smiled and agreed. "Yeah! That sounds good." Quickly, Son #1 turned to his brother and said. "Bro, go get into the ski boots."
I lifted my youngest son off the ground and removed his shoes. Carefully, I placed his feet into my ski boots. Once he was secured into the boots, I began to push him across the yard. Son #2 screeched with delight. "I skiing! I skiing!"
When Son #2 had skied a couple laps around the yard, I called out to my oldest son. "O.K. Now it's your turn." Slowly, I lifted my little baby out of the ski boots. As I held him in the air, I dusted the snow from his legs. Then, I slipped Son #2's shoes onto his feet. Once the shoes were on his feet, Son #2 quickly wriggled out of my arms back into the snow.
Son #1 tugged on my jacket and asked. "Can you help me get into your ski boots?"
"Of course!" I said with a smile. Son #1 held onto my shoulder while I removed one of his shoes. He carefully stepped into the first boot. Then, he lifted his other foot so I could remove the second shoe. Once his feet were secured into the ski boots, I gave Son #1 a push across the snow. He skated smoothly from one end of the yard to the other end several times.
Eventually, the snow melted away. However, winter was not over yet. Today, we were blessed with another round of snow. Overnight, a strong wind blew the snow up against the house creating a good sized snow drift. The boys shrieked with joy as they ran out to play in the snow again. This time, they created forts and oblong snowmen. They even drove their toy cars through the snow tunnels inside the forts. By the time the boys finished playing, their cheeks were bright red and their shoes were soaked. Once inside the house, they stripped off their snow clothes and collapsed onto their beds in exhaustion.
Note to Self: Playing in snow = a great nap for the kids
(I REALLY love snow!)
Monday, March 2, 2015
I Crying
Last weekend, my sister and brother-in-law whisked the kids to my mom's house. I was sick with the flu and wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed with a cup of hot tea and medicine. The kids were terribly excited to go with Tia (Aunt) to Abuelita's (Grandma's) house. In their excitement, they ran screaming to Tia's car. I shivered in my blanket and giggled with joy as the car pulled out of the driveway. There would be nothing but silence for several hours.
At Abuelita's house, the kids sat down for a fun lunch filled with pancakes, eggs, and potatoes. After scarfing down their food, Son #1 and Son #2 raced up to the game room. They pulled out cars, board games, and Veggie Tales movies. Soon, they were perusing their collection of goodies. Each searched for their favorite toy. Son #1 immediately began to amuse himself with the toys upstairs. However, Son #2 remembered the toy closet downstairs and carefully made his way to it. Once inside, Son #2 began to pull out the toy kitchen from the closet. When toy kitchen was in the middle of the downstairs living space, Son #2 cheerfully "cook" a meal. The kids played peacefully for quite a while. Eventually, they began to get tired and wanted to do something more sedentary. Son #2 bounced over to Abuelita and asked. "Can I play with my iPad?"
Abuelita smiled at her grandson and said. "Sure. You can play with my iPad but you have to sit on the couch upstairs."
Son #1 overheard the conversation and yelled. "I wanna play, too! I wanna play, too!"
"O.K. Both of you guys have to share. Son #2 will go first. Then, it is Son #1's turn. O.K???" Abuelita instructed.
"O.K." The boys responded in unison.
Son #1 and Son #2 snuggled together on the couch upstairs with the iPad. Son #2 played a game of Minions first. Then, Son #1 played a racing game. All seemed to be going well so my mom walked down the stairs back to the living room. My sister and brother-in-law lazed by the fireplace. My mom sat back on the couch and smiled. The kids were relaxing in an upstairs room and the house seemed very peaceful.
As the kids played, my mom, sister, and brother-in-law chatted on the couch. They talked about their jobs, church, current events, clothes, funny stories, sports, and the latest gossip. While in the middle of a particularly interesting conversation, they heard fighting coming from the game room. My mom sighed. My sister and brother-in-law rolled their eyes. Lately, the boys fought about everything. Hopefully, they would learn to share and work things out. My mom, sister, and brother-in-law continued their conversation but the fighting did not stop. From the game room, the boys' sharp words shattered the calm.
"It's MY turn!" Son #1 screamed.
"Give it BACK!" Son #2 roared.
"You're MEAN!" Son #1 yelled. "You're hogging the iPad!"
"It MY iPad!" Son #2 shouted as he pulled the iPad away from his older brother.
Son #1 shrieked in anger and grabbed the iPad out of his younger brother's hands. Son #2 balled up his fists and pummeled his older brother on the back. Son #1 retaliated by popping him on the shoulder. Son #2 wrinkled his brow. His lips quivered and tears began to roll down his cheeks. He let out a long, pitiful cry and ran down the stairs to find Abuelita.
As Son #2 neared the bottom of the stairs, his crying increased with intensity. Abuelita eyeballed him from the corner of her eye but wisely decided to ignore the show. She knew that Son #2 was not the innocent victim but had played a significant role in the scuffle with his brother. When Son #2 realized that he was being ignored, he stepped in between his Abuelita, Tia, and Tio (Uncle). Then, he began to sob brokenheartedly. Son #2 squeezed his eyes tightly as if to produce more tears and garner the sympathy needed to rip the iPad away from his older brother. Abuelita, Tia, and Tio continued to ignore Son #2's attempt at manipulation. Finally, Son #2 could stand it no longer. He place himself directly in front of Abuelita, squeaked out a few crocodile tears, and sorrowfully announced. "I crying!"
Abuelita patted Son #2 gently and asked. "Why are you crying?"
Son #2 tattled. "Brudder took my iPad!"
"It's your brother's turn." Abuelita reminded. "Aren't you supposed to be sharing?"
Son #2 crossed his arms and pouted. Abuelita took his little hand and led him up the stairs to where his older brother was sitting. Then, she carefully placed her youngest grandson on the couch. Son #1 looked up from his game into Abuelita's eyes. Son #2 also looked at Abuelita expectantly. Then, Abuelita spoke. "Both of you need to share. Right now, it is Son #1's turn. Son #2, you can sit beside your brother. Now look. You're both sharing. Isn't that nice?" Without waiting for an answer, Abuelita strode to the stairs and glided to the living room. Son #1 and Son #2 watched her disappear with their mouths hanging slightly open. For the rest of the evening, my two sons sat together peacefully sharing the iPad. Abuelita had established that she was the queen of the castle. Troublemakers beware.
At Abuelita's house, the kids sat down for a fun lunch filled with pancakes, eggs, and potatoes. After scarfing down their food, Son #1 and Son #2 raced up to the game room. They pulled out cars, board games, and Veggie Tales movies. Soon, they were perusing their collection of goodies. Each searched for their favorite toy. Son #1 immediately began to amuse himself with the toys upstairs. However, Son #2 remembered the toy closet downstairs and carefully made his way to it. Once inside, Son #2 began to pull out the toy kitchen from the closet. When toy kitchen was in the middle of the downstairs living space, Son #2 cheerfully "cook" a meal. The kids played peacefully for quite a while. Eventually, they began to get tired and wanted to do something more sedentary. Son #2 bounced over to Abuelita and asked. "Can I play with my iPad?"
Abuelita smiled at her grandson and said. "Sure. You can play with my iPad but you have to sit on the couch upstairs."
Son #1 overheard the conversation and yelled. "I wanna play, too! I wanna play, too!"
"O.K. Both of you guys have to share. Son #2 will go first. Then, it is Son #1's turn. O.K???" Abuelita instructed.
"O.K." The boys responded in unison.
Son #1 and Son #2 snuggled together on the couch upstairs with the iPad. Son #2 played a game of Minions first. Then, Son #1 played a racing game. All seemed to be going well so my mom walked down the stairs back to the living room. My sister and brother-in-law lazed by the fireplace. My mom sat back on the couch and smiled. The kids were relaxing in an upstairs room and the house seemed very peaceful.
As the kids played, my mom, sister, and brother-in-law chatted on the couch. They talked about their jobs, church, current events, clothes, funny stories, sports, and the latest gossip. While in the middle of a particularly interesting conversation, they heard fighting coming from the game room. My mom sighed. My sister and brother-in-law rolled their eyes. Lately, the boys fought about everything. Hopefully, they would learn to share and work things out. My mom, sister, and brother-in-law continued their conversation but the fighting did not stop. From the game room, the boys' sharp words shattered the calm.
"It's MY turn!" Son #1 screamed.
"Give it BACK!" Son #2 roared.
"You're MEAN!" Son #1 yelled. "You're hogging the iPad!"
"It MY iPad!" Son #2 shouted as he pulled the iPad away from his older brother.
Son #1 shrieked in anger and grabbed the iPad out of his younger brother's hands. Son #2 balled up his fists and pummeled his older brother on the back. Son #1 retaliated by popping him on the shoulder. Son #2 wrinkled his brow. His lips quivered and tears began to roll down his cheeks. He let out a long, pitiful cry and ran down the stairs to find Abuelita.
As Son #2 neared the bottom of the stairs, his crying increased with intensity. Abuelita eyeballed him from the corner of her eye but wisely decided to ignore the show. She knew that Son #2 was not the innocent victim but had played a significant role in the scuffle with his brother. When Son #2 realized that he was being ignored, he stepped in between his Abuelita, Tia, and Tio (Uncle). Then, he began to sob brokenheartedly. Son #2 squeezed his eyes tightly as if to produce more tears and garner the sympathy needed to rip the iPad away from his older brother. Abuelita, Tia, and Tio continued to ignore Son #2's attempt at manipulation. Finally, Son #2 could stand it no longer. He place himself directly in front of Abuelita, squeaked out a few crocodile tears, and sorrowfully announced. "I crying!"
Abuelita patted Son #2 gently and asked. "Why are you crying?"
Son #2 tattled. "Brudder took my iPad!"
"It's your brother's turn." Abuelita reminded. "Aren't you supposed to be sharing?"
Son #2 crossed his arms and pouted. Abuelita took his little hand and led him up the stairs to where his older brother was sitting. Then, she carefully placed her youngest grandson on the couch. Son #1 looked up from his game into Abuelita's eyes. Son #2 also looked at Abuelita expectantly. Then, Abuelita spoke. "Both of you need to share. Right now, it is Son #1's turn. Son #2, you can sit beside your brother. Now look. You're both sharing. Isn't that nice?" Without waiting for an answer, Abuelita strode to the stairs and glided to the living room. Son #1 and Son #2 watched her disappear with their mouths hanging slightly open. For the rest of the evening, my two sons sat together peacefully sharing the iPad. Abuelita had established that she was the queen of the castle. Troublemakers beware.
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