Growing Boys

As things have started to settle here in Bend, I am happy to say that it is officially starting to feel like home, and as I drove home the other day, I looked out on the view with all the fall colors, and I thought: yes, this is going to be good. So I am excited to be here. It took me a month, but I am there. The boys, of course, adapted quickly, and long before me. 

I often watch the craziness of these boys and think to myself..well, one of two things either: Another boy, bring it on! Or: Another boy? Really? Ok.. I love these boys. As I thought about them the other day, I was very grateful for their differences. If you know these boys, they are very different. And, as I began to note these things in my head, I wondered if it would come as a surprise to any one.

One boy

loves holding mom's hand

loves sitting on laps

loves snuggling and being cozy

gets really excited to see you if you have been gone

does not/will not give kisses

Other boy

Does not like to hold hands

Prefers running off on his own

Does not/Will not snuggle (though try as we do)

But..Loves giving kisses

Weird. The first one is Kaj, the second is Josh.

 Sometimes I feel that Kaj is a challenge, perhaps his age right now, because, he can be so emotional, and a hoarder, and does not like to participate like he feels embarrassed in settings like group singing or story time games, but lately as I chase Josh through the grocery store, and he picks up the fruit in the produce section and begins taking samples I am starting to realize I am glad I have these two different boys. I feel like they bring out the best in each other, and they balance each other out. Kaj really has never run away when we are out, I know that he will stay right by the car when I am getting Josh in/out, I can usually take Kaj to appointments for myself because he will sit still, and just make commentaries, and though I feel like we are constantly working on listening- which we are- he actually does listen quite well when I need him too. Josh-whew! He is a crack up. He is usually happy, and very easy for kids and adults to be around. He shares easily, laughs easily. He loves participating in songs, and clapping at the end. He is starting to work on some pretty major dance moves around the house. Haha! Oh my goodness. It is a mix of what looks like he is trying to break dance- yes break dance, and some hip hop and, of course, spinning in circles. The awesome thing about Josh is he brings out this in Kaj, Kaj gets more excited, and can be silly with Josh-trust me- sometimes it is not a good thing. Example: Josh wants to be out of the cart at the grocery store and look at everything, and run away and then suddenly the two of them will look at each other, like: "is this happening?" "oh yeah! this is happening!" They laugh, and both of them take off running. What just happened?

So, I am appreciating their differences so much more lately. I wouldn't change either of them. They are such fun little boys, and I love them very much.