Divide & Conquer

Five family members. Three different locations.

Josh has been away at his annual boys' weekend for a fitness conference and UFC fight. Connor talked his way into an extended vacation with Grammy, Pappy and Aunt Kelly (or perhaps Daddy, feeling guilty, talked them into it). That left the little guys stuck at home with Mommy, except for today's visit to the lake. Divide and conquer, right?

We got to enjoy the weather and visit with Grandma and Grandpa for the afternoon. Here are the two best shots of the day . . .



Love that careless expression. He had a big time just climbing and sitting on Grandpa's three-wheeler (or actually, Mommy and Uncle Brian's old three-wheeler from a long ago Christmas gift). Of course, it probably would have freaked him out if we'd actually started it.



Xander still doesn't think much of the camera. This was the best I could get of him. Most of the ones in good sunlight were of the back of his head. Here, he was waiting to go back inside the basement and find another ball or toy to bring out. He wasn't too impressed with the three-wheeler (and Sawyer didn't give him much of a chance anyway).

Around the Block

As the boys get a little bit older, the strollers are becoming more and more obsolete. Don't get me wrong, we still use them quite a bit, especially when it's necessary to contain them (like for running errands, trips to the pediatrician's office, or taking the puppy for his walk).

But, if you give them their choice, they prefer to walk.

And when we can, we encourage that. Sooner or later, they're going to have to learn to listen when we say things like "wait" or "slow down" or "come on" - they will eventually outgrow the strollers altogether. The only bad thing about letting them walk is that the two little guys, while pretty much identical on the outside, have totally opposite personalities, especially when it comes to walking.

Xander is always really excited to go for a walk, and he walks as fast as his little legs will carry him. He's usually several yards ahead and is constantly asked to "wait" or "slow down" so that his brother can catch up. He doesn't do so patiently. It's just not in him, with his quick flash of temper and constant energy.

Sawyer also loves to walk, but like so many things, he likes to do it in his own time and in his own way. He's slower, taking time to look around and study things a bit more. He also likes to back track, to go back and see things once or twice more before he moves on. He is especially partial to the way light reflects off of glass, like storm doors or windows. He cannot get enough. All while Xander continues to pace away.

It's hard to reconcile those differences. And it won't always be just in the walk around the block.

Photo Flashback

Just in case you were wondering if his tongue has always stuck out that way. It has. (March 04, 2007)

Going, Going, Gone

Sometimes I'm a bit envious of one of my boys. He just goes and goes and goes, all day long. And then he stops, dead in his tracks, just stops. And it's amazing to watch it happen.

I would love to have just a fraction of that energy, that ability to be constantly on the go and alert, doing and moving from ungodly hours in the morning until late in the day. He generally wakes up before the rest of us, dancing and jabbering in his room. The minute you open up his door, he comes bouncing down the hall and the stairs and heads straight for one of his favorite toys (this morning, it was the magnetic letters). He dances and plays and doesn't sit down for a minute (which will probably be one of his biggest trials at school). He rarely naps. He hardly sits, except to eat. He's constantly in motion. And he just keeps going and going until it all comes crashing to a stop.

Tonight was later than some nights. He has been known to fall asleep at the dinner table on particularly long days. But tonight it was going on 9 when I got the little guys cleaned up and into their rooms for bed time. He played right up until the end, even after getting up shortly after 6 this morning and going without a nap. After I put his pajamas on, he climbed right into bed, found his favorite spot (on top of the two pillows at the head of the bed), and started falling. Asleep, that is.

You can always see it with him. It starts with a wide-eyed expression, a bit of a blank stare. It's fleeting, and then it's gone. Within seconds, his eyes are closed and he's down for the count. Lights, sounds, movement. Doesn't affect him at all. He's out cold.

I think I'd read one page of his Dr. Seuss board book (so maybe five words). If that. Xander was still bouncing on the bed beside him (since I was solo tonight, I got them dressed and read their story together before I took Xander to his new room). Nothing. Out cold. And he hasn't moved a muscle since, nearly three hours later.

Wouldn't you love to have that energy? And then enjoy that immediate release. No worries, no tossing or turning or thinking about what tomorrow will bring or what needs to be done. Just sleep.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Sawyer was the first one up today (as Mommy had her camera out and ready, he knew swinging was not going to happen, not just yet anyway)!



Xander followed close behind (he couldn't care less about the camera, he just loves to slide).



And the "take my picture" kid of the family, Connor, couldn't stand to be left out. He was practically pushing Xander up the ladder so he could get his turn and have his picture taken.

Three boys. Three almost identical shots. That's what happens when you just know what's going to happen . . . monkey see, monkey do.