My Boys and Me

Friday morning as I walked outside to crisp, fresh, COOL air, I realized Fall was among us.  For us Southerners, this is a time to celebrate!  After 4 LONG months of steady 90-100 degree heat and humidity, any day with a high in the 80′s or less is something to look forward to.  Fall (even before moving to South Carolina), has always been my favorite time of year, but since having kids, I have even more appreciation for it.  This morning I brought the boys out back.  We bought them a swing-set back in April and I think its been used less than 5 times since.  I can’t blame Braeden and Harley for wanting to hibernate inside all summer, but having them out back playing baseball or playing on the swing-set without complaining of being hot or needing to change their clothes and jump in the shower directly after play time is wonderful.  Besides the selfish aspect of me having peace and quiet for hours at a time (while they are outside) as opposed to the 15-20 minutes the summer entailed, I DO like the benefit of them being away from the video games, using their imaginations and ENERGY!  Mikey is in his GLORY because now he actually gets to go outside.  I am NOT an outside person during the heat, but Mikey could care less if he was in the dessert for 3 days straight as long as he was OUTSIDE!  It is SO fun playing with him outside and watching him walk all around exploring everything and trying to keep up with his big brother and cousin.  He is tough as NAILS that little guy and it won’t be long before Braeden is crying because of something Mikey did rather than the opposite (although the only thing Braeden really does to make Mikey cry is shutting him out of the room).  Although at times I can’t blame him since he can be a little monster.  At least outside he is getting the 2 things he wants most of all, to be outside and to play with the older boys.  Here are a couple pictures of their day today.

“I am being a big helper Daddy!”

I experienced one of the best hours ever today…….as we were driving to see Mike at an event he was working, Harley and Braeden were “deep” in conversation so I turned down the radio to listen to what they were saying.  Turns out, Harley was giving Braeden a History lesson.  It was VERY amusing to hear a 10 year old’s version of American History (the little amount he’s learned of it anyway) and equally entertaining hearing a 6 year old’s take on it all.  There were a couple times I had to stop myself from bursting out laughing.  I decided I will just let Braeden (and Harley) be corrected as they continue their education, rather than interrupt their Saturday afternoon conversation.  Speaking of correcting- Braeden corrected ME this week.  99 percent of the time Mike gets Braeden up, fed and to the bus stop in the mornings. Tuesday Mike had to be to work early so I was on morning duty.  The bus picks him up 30 minutes before he has to be to school, so I opted to sleep longer and drive him.  Well, of course we were STILL rushing.  We were in the car pool line and I told him he had to “hustle” as soon as he got out of the car because he only had a few minutes before the tardy bell rang.  Quite confused, and almost appalled, he asked, “why do I have to hustle? I am not allowed to run in the halls!” To which I just smiled and told him that he was right and to take his time.  I was happily reminded that I still had ONE child that actually listens and WANTS to follow the rules

Rocky has decided that Mikey is his new best friend.  Not only is he about the same size as him, but being a cookie lover, Mikey always has the best treats.  Mikey on the other hand, is not as impressed with his newfound fame as with that comes having to protect his snacks- The other day, Mikey was walking around with a vanilla wafer in his hand and Rocky came up and took it right out of his hand.  What Mikey doesn’t realize is that Rocky does not chew his “treats” but rather swallows them whole.  Off went Mikey, running towards Rocky demanding he give him his cookie back! Yes, Mikey can RUN, he can CLIMB and now he also DANCES.  He will dance (the same beat) to any form of music he hears.  My brother who spent the summer taking dance lessons, (and is rather good) would be proud.  He is not quite a recommended partner yet, but he has potential.

Have a great week! I have 2 dentist appointments-it takes 2 days to do the work I need done and a Dr.’s appointment. YUCK!

One more picture, Braeden took this one- Not bad!