Team Workers

When the boys arrive, they're Daddy's boys.  That's two boys wrapped around his legs.  There's no way he's going to be able to get away.  When it's time to go home, they're all Gramma's.  

This is how they show they love and care for us.  There may come a time when Gramma and Grampa wrap themselves around the boys legs.

The boys came up with the idea to turn Gramma's chair over and make it into a fire engine.  Gramma assisted in the design.  They spent the morning riding to the fires and saving people.  Firemen need a broom and a flashlight.

We really enjoyed sliding and climbing on the fire engine.  That is until Grampa explained to Gramma, that our chair wasn't designed for a fireman's life.  So we used a blanket and turned the fire engine into a secret cave.  I think the chair designer needs to consider a more multi-purpose design.  You would think a chair would be good for something other than sitting in.

The boys were playing with their beads, when Nathan came over and explained they were "doing team work."  Later in the day, Andrew and Grampa were changing the batteries in their Mickey Mouse airplane.  Andrew, batteries in hand, told Grampa, 'We're doing team work."  What a wonderful thing to teach the next generation.  I remember being taught competition and to strive to be the best, in order to attain the best in each person.  Perhaps the best of an individual, is very small compared to the best of us all doing team work. I feel a sense of expansion and peace at what we've just learned from our grandsons.

When the boys want something the other one has, I ask them if they can think of something they might like to tell their brother.  Each one will respond with, "Please?"  I tell them they can try that, but perhaps there's something else they'd like to try.  They give it some thought and then say to their brother, "When you're finished, could I have a turn playing with that?"  The answer is always, "Sure," since they don't have to give it up immediately.  The boy waiting has gotten the positive answer he wanted.  Now, it's up to Gramma to distract the one waiting by coming up with a fun idea for him, or to explain that the length of the turns are determined by how long your turn takes.  Sometimes that's enough to prompt an immediate trade.  I remember that saying "Please" never worked with my children.  The child in possession could care less about the other child's polite manners.  As I was telling them about the "magic words," I felt the futility, and knew it only happened under my nose.  And then with very little success.  And only if I was willing to police it.  

A chair makes a great place for a mummy to sleep.  This "mummy" has to have his toes wrapped completely.

Today, Gramma has planned finger painting.  Gramma better look at the store for body paints.  This is a sure sign I am losing my memory.  I did this with my own children, although never in their father's presence.  But then I went on to have a second and third child after going through pregnancy and birth the first time.  Perhaps I've had a poor memory most of my life.  

The boys have very different painting styles.  Andrew seems to be heading toward an ambidextrous style, resulting in symmetrical paintings.  Nathan's pictures are more of an impressionistic Monet style.  It's amazing how much actual paint they can put on a picture.  Or perhaps most of it isn't on the paper.

Clean up is extremely important.  Nathan even got paint on his face.  (Those are not scrapes or bruises.)  A dry shirt and pants were required following the hand washing.  The kitchen floor looked especially clean afterward, too.

Nolan came to join us for dinner and a little playtime with his cousins.  The boys promised to teach Nolan how to play with Play-doh someday.  

Nolan is looking forward to joining his cousins for the whole day.

Daddy's teaching me how to make silly faces.

I'm very strong and like to stand up.  I can also roll over from my tummy to my back.  I keep telling them, I don't care for "tummy time."

Daddy and I have the same expressions.

See what I mean?

I told you so.

Nolan, if you're lucky you might get dessert.

The boys are amazingly good at asking permission first.  Rebecca, unfortunately, learned very early it's easier to ask for forgiveness after doing what you want.  Sweet Andrew came over and asked, "Can I pet him?"

Nolan enjoyed being petted.  And Andrew blessed him with a kiss, too.

So long, it's time to go home.  I'll see you soon.  Nolan Night is on Monday.