Kids Are So Mean

As the kids continue to grow bigger and older, so does their intelligence and understanding of the world around them as well as how people interact with their surroundings.  Along with that understanding comes the ability to recognize how a situation will affect them personally and the ability to alter that situation to their benefit with words or actions.  So it is really no surprise that as the monsters grow, so grows the sibling rivalry, the bickering, and the down right nastiness toward each other at times.   We are all born with an ego centric, self preservation instinct which was evident to us when the twins were still babies.  Not even old enough to crawl yet, Abby and Chloe both wanted to play with a book and went mortal combat on each other trying to get it from the other (pay no attention to the smile on my face from the amusement of this battle).

 While most of the physicality now involves Lawson pushing or punching, the verbal assaults range from comical to cutting, and girls can be down right mean to each other.    It doesn't take much as they have each learned the others hot buttons and what really gets under their skin.  The twins know that when Lily wants be left alone and play in her room, that is the ideal time to barge in and out of her room or simply sit out side her room and occasionally crack the door and whisper "Liiiiiiiiily" in that mischievous tone.  Oh the laughs they enjoy together followed by the angry chastising from Lily.  They all know that when Abby is on the verge of a tantrum, a simple touch of her arm or picking up her blanket will send her over the edge.  Even Lawson at 2 years old knows that when the girls are playing dolls and they have them spread out on their blanket just so, that is the perfect time to rip the blankets out from under and then run for his life.

Lily was attending a sleepover, and as is customary she had to listen to my speech regarding manners and proper behavior.  The sleepover speech includes a directive to play nicely even when the other girls want to play something else, and make sure you include everybody in your games which also means do not tell secrets intentionally in front of other girls.  Lily has heard my speeches enough that  she can recite most of it in tandem with me, and this instance was no different except for her final comments.  She was nodding at me just enough to give the impression she was listening, and would give the occasional eye roll, and then she said, "Daddy, it's ok if we don't include somebody for a little while because we can always apologize to them."

Just when you think the monsters are about to go Cain and Abel on each other, they do something to show that they really care and love each other.  Many times you just have to give them something to rally around each other with, and that generally means we have gotten on to them and have become the big bad daddy or mommy that they rally against. 

Chloe has become the nurturing one of the group and always has a hug or kind word when one of the other kids is struggling to keep it together.  Sometimes she can console in unique and funny ways.  Abby was having a night time melt down and when she enters the melt down, there is no consoling her for quite some time.  Kasey was try to calm her and Chloe realized this was going on for a while and she had enough.  Chloe decided to go ahead and say her prayers for the evening, and after thanking Jesus for everybody she ended with a special prayer for Abby.  "Jesus, please help Abby stop crying so I can get some sleep here."

Jeff, Kasey, Lily, Abby, Chloe, Lawson Boy and Jingles

Busy, Busy, Busy

Busy, Busy, Busy is not simply a reference to Kasey and my days, weeks, and months.  We are officially entering into the stage in which the kids have an activity almost every night of the week.  The twins have started soccer, which at 3 years old is probably too early for them and more akin to herding cats than actually playing soccer.  Lily has gymnastics, cheer practice, soccer practice, and then a game for both soccer and cheer on Saturdays.  Due to some rain this past weekend, we jumped at the chance to make the assumption that all games are cancelled and just stay home for the day.   While Lawson Boy has not been enrolled in any activity, he stays plenty busy going from practice to practice, game to game, and has become quite proficient at locating the closest playground.  Don't turn your back to watch a game because he will stealth away to a playground without so much as a hint as to where he is going.

We do find great joy in watching the kids play and begin to hone their skills.  Lily did not enjoy soccer for a while because she felt the other kids were better than her, and frankly the other kids were better than her.  She has learned that putting forth some effort and practicing has improved her ability by leaps and bounds.  Her favorite by far is gymnastics and it shows based upon the effort and time she puts into it.  When she started just a short couple months ago, her cart wheels resembled a kid trying to donkey kick the person behind her.  Now she is close to performing a hand spring with her legs completely straight.  The Cheer comes pretty natural as she loves to dance, and she love to include the twins and teach them how to cheer.  Unfortunately she also loves to teach the Boy how to cheer.  While at Cheer practice the other day, sitting amongst the other cheer moms, Lawson decided he would show off his skills.  In his cute little babbling raspy voice, he sounds out his cheer with flawless choreography, and one of the moms looks at me and sadly asks, "ahhhh, does he know all the cheers."  In a tone lacking in pride, "why yes he does, he sure knows how to make his daddy proud."

Abby and Chloe sure look cute in their soccer outfits, but it is painful to try and get a 3 year old to pay attention when all they really want to do is anything but play soccer.  While there is probably something they are learning and it's good for them, it drives me crazy trying to understand why 2 kids who never stop moving or talking can enter an atmosphere that promotes running, kicking and playing, and all they do is stand there with this dumb look on their face. 

Hard to believe the summer has come and gone and Lily is back in school.  She does like school and being around all her friends, and now complains less about being bored.  That was the summer theme for Lily, "I'm bored."  We had our first trip to the ER for stitches.  While my money was on Lawson, it was actually Lily that busted her chin open swinging between the counters in the kitchen.  It's a sweet scar that matches her daddy's, but that story is better left undocumented.

Football season is upon us and though my boy is not afraid to blurt out a cheer in public, he loves watching football with his daddy.  Busy as we may be, watching a game with the Boy will cure all......until he decides to headbutt you as soon as you fall asleep.  That smarts.

Jeff, Kasey, Lily, Abby, Chloe, Lawson Boy and Jingles