So Much to Tell...So Little Time

In the spirit of Christmas, I wanted to share a heartwarming story from preschool.  This was the conversation on the way home from school. 

Warren:  "Mommy, you know what happened today?"
Me:  "What buddy?"
Warren:  "Well, my friend Kendall said this, 'Warren, you're a meanie.  And that wasn't very nice."
Me:  "No, it wasn't, buddy.  What did you do?"
Warren:  "Nothing.  I didn't even do anything, and she just said that."
Me:  "Well, after she said that, what did you do?"
Warren:  "Well, I just hugged her, that was all."

If there's one thing Warren has learned, it's to turn the other cheek.  He truly has a heart of forgiveness.  While we are blessed to have such a warmhearted little boy...I hope it doesn't translate to "You're a weanie" when he gets bigger.  There's a fine line, ya know?  Especially when you're destined to be a band nerd!

Harper, on the other hand, is large and in charge!  He doesn't let people push him around or walk over him.  In fact, he's usually doing the walking and pushing.  I can just picture them in middle school and high school.  Harper will be the one standing up for Warren.

Like everyone else, we are excited about the Christmas season.  We are especially excited to see Pj and Amy!  A couple of nights ago, Harper felt the urge to send a video greeting to my brother and sis-in-law.

Meanwhile, we spend a lot of time at my grandmother's house on the weekends.  We usually eat at least one meal together, with my mom, grandmother and mother-in-law.  There's never a dull moment, as you can imagine with two boys.  The boys have a boogie board that they love to "ski" on, while Chris pulls them through the house.  Often times, Harper rolls off and ends up just running after Warren (while Warren and Chris lap him, many, many times).

To be fair, Harper wanted a turn on the "sled."  However, we found that he couldn't sit cross-legged on the board, because his little legs wouldn't stay crossed with his big belly.  So, "difficult times call for drastic measures."  (Chris, who is by no means an avid water skier, was never able to get up on a knee board.  So, he created and, I must say, perfected, ab-boarding.)  And, just like his father, Harper created a new version of boogie boarding.  I give you, "back boarding."

Harper Time

It's been a long time since Harper has made much of an appearance on our blog.  So, since he and I are home sick today, I thought it might make for some good reading.

After spending the day at home myself yesterday, I woke up still not feeling stellar.  Harper also woke up on the yucky side.  He sounded gross and, more noticeably, he did not even touch his breakfast.  Now, this is very out of the ordinary for him.  Anyone who knows him, knows he very much enjoys his food.  And, any one of his teachers will tell you that he normally eats two breakfasts a day (one at home and a second one at school).  So, to not even touch one breakfast....something is wrong!  After making the decision to stay home again, Harper sat in my lap and just rocked for almost 3 hours.  I took him to the doctor to find out he did, indeed, possibly, have an ear infection.  Of course, we get home...and the videos below detail what follows. 

It all started with naptime.  After cuddling in his bed and reading Goodnight, Moon (he loves to pretend the fireplace is burning his fingers), he kept asking for his Bible.

After reading his Bible, I thought for sure, he was settled in, ready for a nap.  Until....

 

Finally, after realizing he had pulled one on me to stay home....and now pulled another to get out of a nap (all while I'm feeling legitimately sick)...I caved and let him play some guitar.

Ahhh, Young Love

After all our penis talk, we are finally making a turn around.  I think I can see sweet boys on the horizon, yet I know "Boys will be boys!"

Sunday night, driving home from church, Warren (out of nowhere) says "Mommy, I wuv Kendall.  I think I'm gonna mawwy her and kiss her."  After getting over the initial shock that he even knew the word "married"....let alone knew that married people love and kiss each other, and after regaining our composure, we gently explained to Warren that people don't get married until their grown ups, and when you choose someone to marry, it should be someone who loves God and someone whom you love.

Fast forward a couple of days on the way to school.  We were listening to Todd Agnew's "Grace Like Rain" (which I must say does not compare to our FUMC Praise Band version), when Warren says "Mommy, this is the song Daddy and Ms. Ivewisse pway.  But, it doesn't have Ms. Ivewisse's piano part...and that's my favowite part!  I think I'm gonna mawwy Ms. Ivewisse."

After considering our previous discussion, clearly he realized the mistake in his first bridal choice was her age.  After all, Kendall JUST turned 5, so he moved on to a grown up.  And being that Ivelisse is a newlywed, I shared with him that she is already married...and when someone is already married, they can't marry another person.  (Seriously, was this a conversation with a 4 year old?)

So, we've ruled out kids because they're not grown ups.  We've ruled out other married people, because...well, um....they're married.  Next up.....the new babysitter.  Sunday morning, I was sitting with Warren when he says "I know Mommy.  I'm gonna mawwy Ms. Awwison."  I quickly text Allison.....she says yes.  End of discussion!

Oh Boy...(and I Do Mean BOY)

I know parent-hood is full of firsts, but I just didn't expect some "firsts" to come quite so early.  And being the (rather naive) mother of two boys puts a whole new spin on things.  Take this morning, for example.  As Chris gets out of the shower, Harper struts in, points and says "Daddy, your penith?"  Chris casually answers him, "Yes, Harper.  That's Daddy's penis."  Harper promptly turns around and lifts up my nightgown, "Mommy, your penith?"  Well, "Um, no, Harper.  Mommy doesn't have a penis."  Enough with the penis talk already.

Or, so I thought.  I thought I was in the clear, until I pulled up to the boys' school.  You might be thinking to yourself...."What could possibly go wrong at a Christian pre-school?"  Oh, if only!  As he's taking off his seatbelt, I hear from my four-year old, "Mommy, why does my penis keep coming up?"  You can just imagine the look on my face, as I looked in my rear-view mirror (scared to death of what I might see) and said "What do you mean, Buddy?"  Feeling the need to illustrate his point (since I am a visual learner), he further explains "Well, it's like this..."  This, followed by short, quick breaths in and out, as his finger points and bends, points and bends, points and bends.  Now that both boys are sound asleep, I think we can safely call it quits on the penis talk for today.  Bring on tomorrow!

The Amazing Chirp Warren...and Harper

By now you have probably noticed that the boys have pretty big imaginations.  There is no shortage of creativity in our household.  More than anything, they love pretending..... dressing up in costumes, singing songs, playing any kind of instrument...or, in the case of the video below, creating hilariously funny concerts, starring "The Amazing Chirp Warren....and Harper."  (While the show stars Warren, be sure to pay special attention to Harper.)

You've Got Some Skills Man!

Although the past couple of weeks have been a bit dull around here, tonight was definitely anything but.  It began at the dinner table, during a discussion of possible Halloween costumes.  When I asked what they wanted to be, Warren immediately said "Spiderman!"  And, of course Harper then said "Mommy, Spiderman!"  Because he was Spiderman last year, I tried to steer him to something else.  Maybe...the Smurfs???  Easy enough costume, right?  Except finding white shorts.  Warren could be Brainy or Sensitive Smurf and Harper could be Hungry Smurf.  Didn't quite go over as well as I had hoped.  However, it did open Warren's eyes to something other than just Spiderman.  He then, at least, said he wanted to be a superhero.  The conversation continued something like this:

Warren:  "Mommy, I know.  I can be Superhero Warren.  And then I can get Spiderman, Batman and Robin, and...hmmm....one more....well, it could be my wife, but she died."    

Me:  "Oh, she died?  I am so sorry.  You must be so sad."

Warren:  "Nope, I'm not.  I know, I could get Peter Pan."

After quickly grieving the loss of Superhero Warren's wife, we got into the bathtub.  It was time to get out after lots of sliding down the back wall and even more splashing water.  (A bit of necessary background...Warren loves to suck water into his mouth and spit it like a hose in Harper's face.  Harper doesn't love it quit so much, so I told Warren he needed to stop.)  So, as the water is draining, Warren tries to get one more shot in.  I yanked his arm, with a "Warren, out NOW!"  Warren looks at me with puppy dog eyes, which teared up very very quickly, gets out and says "But Mommy, you got angry at me."  And I replied, "Yes, Warren I did get angry at you, because I asked you to stop and you didn't."  And the clincher..."But Mommy, you broke my heart!"  UGH!

Next up...after catching my breath (talk about a broken heart) and calming him down, I decided I would sit in their room while they went to sleep.  (Since moving both of them into one room, we've found bedtime comes a bit sooner if one of us stay in there until they fall asleep.)  Normally, Chris stays in there with them.  However, after the breaking heart incident, I kinda felt guilty.  Little did I know how wound up they were.  And, because it was a bit later, we decided not to give them a "grown up vitamin"  (aka Melatonin, to help them settle down).  Big mistake!

After lots and lots of banter, Harper sits up in his bed and starts scratching the netting on his rail.  Warren then stands straight up and says "Harper, you've got some skillz man!  You've got some skillz!"

What Happens at Gigi's, Stays at Gigi's

Well, that used to be the case.  Until one grandma got a hold of a video camera. We have been trying to figure out why Warren loves going over to "Gigi's" so much.  I know going to grandma's is supposed to be a treat.  But, he wants to be at her house more than anywhere else.

Today, we got our answer...thanks to Harriet's handy camera work.  Not only does he get to be with Bear, but he gets to watch movies (and Cartoon Network, which is not allowed in our house), he gets to watch them on the TV in his room (which is certainly not allowed in our house, given that he has no TV in his room...and probably won't for quite some time)...and he gets to do all that while eating in his bed (which is also not allowed in our house). Don't you want to go to Gigi's?

Saturday Mornings and Super Heroes

When I was little, I remember having the most vivid imagination.  My best friend, Beth, her sisters and I, would dress up and create amazing dance routines and musical plays.  (I can still remember some of the songs we made up.)  Who would have known that years later, I was playing dress up again.  This time, with my two creative little boys.

Chris has class Saturday mornings, which means the boys and I get to enjoy some lazy times together.  Today, we welcomed Spider Man and his partner in crime, Safari Man.  Saving the world from danger is a tough job, especially for one four year old Spider Man.  Any good super hero recruits the help of his super hero friends, like Safari Man.  Between spider webs and a net, danger doesn't stand a chance.  As they finished saving the world, Safari Man ended up with a battle scar and reverted back to a 22-month old by asking for the "Boo Boo Fish."  Shortly after, I heard Warren (AKA Spider Man...don't be fooled) telling him, "Harper, you don't eat the Boo Boo Fish.  You put it on your boo boo."  I guess even super heroes need some help from their big brothers every now and then.

He's Smarter Than the Average Bear

What is it about the way in which kids deal with death?  Their innocence touches our hearts.  This morning, Warren came up to me quoting Yogi Bear, "Hey Boo Boo, I'm smarter than the average bear."  (Of course his version had a bit of a lisp on the smarter and the r's sounded a lot like l's.)  In any case, I asked him where he heard that, to which he replied "Oh, we heard it at school yesterday."

I reminded him that Pap used to do a really great Yogi Bear impression.  And instead of upsetting him, like I expected, he joyfully said "Oh ya.  And mom, when we get to Heaven, he can do it for me then."  I agreed, trying to hold back my tears.  He then stopped and said "Mommy, wisten.  Do you hear it?  I can hear Pap practicing."  Wanting to play along, I stopped and said "Oh ya.  I do hear it."  With his eye squinted and nose and mouth upturned, he said "Moooommy, not there.  In my heart.  Wisten, I can hear him practicing in my heart."  I guess he really is smarter than the average bear!

Summer Wrap-Up

As we are enjoying the last care-free days of summer, I thought I'd just share a couple of random stories from our uneventful summer.

I've gotten pretty good (if I do say so myself) at making blueberry pie.  I've got a delicious (very easy) recipe using fresh blueberries.  So good, in fact, that Warren decided he was ready to try his hand at helping.  He takes after his momma, in that neither of us are good at, or like to cook.  But, we can make a pretty mean blueberry pie!

Most recently, I was fixing dinner on my birthday (a frozen pizza....don't be too impressed) while the boys were playing in the play room.  

Warren:  "Mommy, what do you want for your birthday?"

Me:  "Oh, I don't know.  How about a new watch?  Or a cute hoodie?  Or some fun notecards?"

Warren:  "How about a spaceboy or a flying cowboy?"
Me:  "Ok."

Harper, on the other hand...well, here's what Harper has done this summer.  Yes, his "under cover" fettish carries over into his sleep.

He just couldn't hold out any longer.

Harper's 2nd favorite place to sleep is in the rocking chair.

His 1st favorite place to sleep is under anything.

Big brother showing little brother how to use an iPad.

Apparently using the iPad under the blanket is much cooler.

Um.....

Well, it happened.  A moment I knew was just around the corner.  My friends warned me, yet I was still surprised...any mother would be.  And moms of boys will know exactly what I'm speaking of. 

In the bathtub tonight, Warren looks down, squeezes and says "Mommy, what are these?  Are they pee eggs that shoot all my pee out?"  Oh dear God help us!

You Can't See Me...(part 2)

I must apologize now...and I promise this will be the last of the phantom ghost.  In my previous post I stated, "the video below is just one, of about 50, that I could have if I were a little faster when grabbing the camera."  Well, I've had time to practice throughout the day and it seems that as the day has gone on, I have drastically increased my camera grabbing speed.  So much that I'm able to bring you the following video, which is Harper walking back to his bed, after getting up.  (Please note:  I do not let him walk into walls every time.. this was the first time I was able to get it on video.)

You Can't See Me...

I'm not sure what it says about the person if he constantly likes to be covered up.  Is there some deeper, underlying message there?  Maybe it means the person isn't happy with himself if he is always hiding under a blankie.  Or, maybe it's just a 21-month old pretending no one can see him.  Enter Harper.

For the past couple of weeks or so, our very gregarious, social little boy has had a fascination with walking around the house, covered up by a thick heavy crib blanket.  You may have read my post last week, where he walked out of his room and smacked into the wall.  Well, the saga continues.  However, he's getting much better with his sense of direction.  He can now navigate from the family room, through the kitchen, to the utility room...all, while hiding under his blanket.  Impressive, I tell you!  (For your viewing pleasure, the video below is just one, of about 50, that I could have if I were a little faster when grabbing the camera.)

A Lesson in Forgiveness

Yesterday at church, two of Warren's church buddies, at two different times, so sweetly said "Hi Warren" in passing.  Warren gave some sort of a grunt and hid behind my leg.  Incredibly rude and totally embarrassing!

I talked with Warren later about the incident and tried explaining to him that it's just the polite thing to do to speak to others.  I also said that if he kept acting like that, he wasn't going to have any friends.  Then, I asked him how he would feel if he said "Hi" to them and they were rude like he was.  While nothing should surprise me with him, I still am never prepared.  Warren immediately looks up at me (and to add to the atmosphere, we're walking hand in hand in a parking lot) and says "Mommy, I would forgive them.  That's what Jesus wants us to do is to forgive people.  So, I would just forgive them, because I know they probably didn't mean it."

Well, of course that instantly melted my heart.  And I realized how right he was.  And, like most parents, I started thinking "Awww, how cute is that?  My four year old is teaching me a lesson in forgiveness."

Then, as I thought about it more....I began to realize....we've got one smart boy on our hands.  He knows just what to say to a) get him off the hook and b) make me stop dead in my tracks and think he's the best kid ever!  Well, it worked.  And, although I know he was probably "playing the system"....I'm going to choose to believe he was teaching me a lesson about forgiveness.

The Bible says in Matthew 18:3 "...unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of God." 

Bedtime Banter

While most of my blog entries normally contain some sort of substance or update on the family (aka, the boys), today's is really nothing more than pure joy.  Last week, I was home with the boys while Chris was at band.  Normally, on the nights Chris is gone, I read to Harper first, then tell him goodnight.  Then, I go in and do the same with Warren.  On this particular night, I decided to switch it up a little.  I reversed the order.  So, picture this:

Warren is in bed, asleep.  I have just finished reading with Harper, tucked him in and told him goodnight.  I walked out of his room and made it to the end of the hallway, when he opens his door behind me (bare in mind, Chris nor I knew he had figured out how to get out of his bed).  He peeks around the corner.  I turn around and we have a 1 minute stare down, until he caves and runs down the hall, arms outstretched, with a huge grin on his face.  I picked him up, held him for a minute and put him back in his bed.  The next time, I made it to the utility room, when I heard his door open again.  I walked to the kitchen to just see what would happen.  Little did I know I'd have a ghost appear!  Harper walked down the hall.....and smacked into the wall with a blanket over his head.  After smacking the wall, he turned around and just stood crying.  The funniest part (not that watching him smack into a wall is funny).....he stayed in character!  Not once did he take off his blanket.  As he stood there crying, after having walked into the wall, he stayed covered up in a blanket of blue fleece with white lambs.

Fast forward a couple of nights....the boys are sound asleep.  It's 11:00 as I head back to bed.  I get to our bedroom, just as Harper's doorknob turns.  His door opens and he stands holding his "baby" (a soft, raccoon snuggie blanket).  As he stands at his door, he looks up and (if you know Harper) in typical Harper fashion, rubs his eyes and says "Hi Mommy!" 

Goodnight!

Beach 2011

There's nothing that says "Summer" more than a trip to the beach!  We packed up and spent a couple of days in New Smyrna with my the family.  Suffice it to say that the boys were not ready to come home.  As you might expect....the boys both had different reactions.  Warren could easily be a beach bum, while Harper would be ok to just visit every once in awhile.  Warren loved the ocean while Harper endured it.  However, I will say that Harper is now a converted lover of the water.  By the end of our stay, it was a race to the pool to see who would win...Harper falling in with no floaties, or Mommy or Daddy tackling him.  Needlesstosay, Mommy and Daddy won every time.  I can't figure out how to get a slideshow to show up below, so the link will have to work.

http://photobucket.com/NewSmyrna

Here's to Harper

I have a confession...I'm guilty of "first child syndrome."  Just like I swore I would never use a pacifier (except for Warren...but he was very sick as a baby)...I swore I would never agree with giving every child an award (even though Warren did not enjoy soccer, and really wasn't much good, he at least showed up every week?)....I swore I would never become one of those parents who rarely documents anything the second child does.  Guess what?  You can probably figure out the rest, huh?  So, to that end, this entire blog posting is dedicated to my second child, who some of you don't even know exists.

 

Here's to Harper....Harper is our large (very large) little boy.  He entered this world weighing 9 pounds, 8 ounces and has not stopped growing since.  He is absolutely hysterical when he's not biting.  We escaped the biting with Warren, but weren't quite so lucky with Harper.  As ironic as this may sound, I think his family and teachers would agree....he is extremely sweet natured and soft hearted.  He just likes to eat.  And when he doesn't have enough food, well....an arm does the trick!  Actually, saying he likes to eat is an understatement.  Harper is as big as Warren is small.  In fact, with three years difference in age, they now weigh the same and wear the same size clothing.  And Harper is solid.  Picking him up is not for the weak...just ask his favorite nursery gal, Ms. Tina!  

Warren and Harper really are as opposite as they could be in every way possible!  Harper loves to eat; Warren could do without.  Harper is pretty laid back; Warren, well...takes after his mother.  Harper takes a little while to enjoy swimming; Warren is a fish.  Harper seems to be left handed; Warren is right.  Harper waddles along (it takes a lot to pull that weight around); Warren is as fast as lightning.  Harper's favorite person in the world is his Memaw; Warren takes a bit to warm up to her.  However, the one similarity they do have is that they both love music and dance (we have no idea where they get it from?).  Harper's favorite song right now is Happy Day!!  Anyone who spends any amount of time with him must endure hearing "Happy Day" no less than a hundred times.  I've been trying to capture his "concert" on video.  Normally he sings the chorus, but this was the best I could get. 

Give 'em All One

I have always disagreed (very strongly) with giving awards to every child during awards programs.  I feel like it lessens the meaning of the recognition.  However, last Tuesday night, I couldn't have been more excited to see my son receive a soccer trophy for doing nothing more than spinning around and making grass angels.  Not only was Warren anxious to receive his first trophy ever, Mommy and Daddy were thrilled that it was over!  I've learned to never say never anymore, as being a parent changes the way you see everything.  So, this year at our school's end of the year awards assembly, I say "Just give 'em all one!"

And this makes it all worth it!

We're still not sure where the rest of the yellow team is? 

Warren:  See, it happened like this...

Girl:  Did you hear about the blue team?

Girl:  Are you kidding? 

Make a Splash

We live in Florida.  How could we have gone so long without a pool?  Well, the Easter Bunny didn't think that was right either.  So she brought us an inflatable pool.  We blew it up and jumped in....ending up sans bathing suits.

And, I have said over and over, "If there is a way for these two boys to be opposite....they will find it."  While Warren is a skinny little thing....and Harper....well, he's not so skinny.  Warren loves being in the pool.  And after a couple of days, Harper wants nothing to do with it.  It's a good thing I got these pictures the first time.


Warren:  Let's see how many times I can spray Harper in the face before he gets mad. 

 

Harper:  If Warren can say "Mommy, watch" then so can I!  Mommy, watch!

    

Dancin' Dancin' Dancin'

Yes, we're having another dance party!  After mastering the robot, Warren is moving on to some breakdance moves.  Harper is working on saying the word "dance" (or "sanse"....unfortunately, he inherited my speech problems) and feeling the beat...and who can resist the "Cha Cha Slide"??? 

Score!!

Watch out....I've got my game face on!

I didn't get a chance to post any updates on soccer last week.  Call it horrible parenting, but for the past five weeks, though there is a water fountain at the field, we failed to remember to bring a water bottle.  Last week....we remembered.  And, although it served as one more reason to run on and off the field (more so off)...at least this time he went back on the field with a little more pep in his step (for a little bit, at least).  As the game started, he got his game face on and (grab your seat) even scored a goal!  That's right....the same child you watched just last week making grass angels scored a goal!  I told ya he was a natural!

A natural

Oi......

Pep talks never thrilled me.

Jesus and the Mickey Mouse Sword

During this Easter season, Warren has learned quite a bit about what Easter is all about.  He's learned a bit more graphically than we probably would've liked, but nonetheless, I think he's starting to really "get it."  Last night, as we finished reading his Bible story, went something like this:

Warren told me how the mean soldiers came and "smashed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.  And blood came dripping down his face.  And then they nailed his hands and feet to the cross.  And the three ladies that were there were so sad, they cried and cried." Then, he changed the story and it became a little more real.  Well, for a little bit. 

Warren:  Mommy, what if the mean soldiers came and took Harper away? 
Me:  What do you mean?
Warren:  What if they came and took Harper away like they took Jesus away?  You and me and Daddy would be so sad.  We would cwy and cwy and cwy.
Me:  You're right, Warren.  We would be very sad, wouldn't we?
Warren:  But, you know what, Mommy?
Me:  What, Warren?
Warren:  If those mean soldiers came and took Harper, I could go get my Mickey Mouse sword.  But, you need to put new batteries in it, because those batteries don't work.  So, after you kiss me goodnight, and finish putting up the groceries, would you put new batteries in my Mickey Mouse sword?
Me:  Sure!
Warren:  Because if my Mickey Mouse sword has new batteries, then I could light it up and I could catch those mean soldiers in the night time so they couldn't get Harper.  Because my sword can light up at night and the soldiers' swords can't!

Anyone have any C batteries?

Dance Party USA

Today we took a break from soccer to try our hands at dancing.  Warren has some pretty "sick" robot moves and Harper....well, while Harper may not be an avid soccer player like his big brother (insert laugh here), he definitely has the moves.  Check him out.  (Excuse the piles of laundry in the background.)     

Grass Angels and Spinning - 1....Soccer Game - 0

Is everyone good with my plan?  If so, give me a "thumbs up!"

All I can say is that we've made it to Week 4!!  It hasn't been easy, but we did it!  Warren loves the idea of being a soccer player, but clearly his priorities are elsewhere.  This week was "game week" where the kids played games rather than completed the drills.  We were fairly certain one of two things would happen.  1 - Like any good parent, we thought Warren would be a natural....the star of the game.  2 - Warren would have melt down after melt down when he either a) didn't get the ball or b) wasn't the fastest person on the team.  If you sided with 1....while we do appreciate the high praise, I would invite you over to our house for a glimpse into the life of Warren.  If you chose 2, you are correct...although "meltdown" is a bit of an exaggeration.

The game was spent running back and forth between the rest of the team and giving Harper a kiss.  Oh, and when that wasn't going on, Warren was laying in the grass making grass angels or holding conversations with the clouds.  Or, spinning around until he made himself so dizzy he fell down.  Clearly, there was too much going on to be involved in actually kicking or defending the ball...or being part of the team, for that matter.   

You want me to do what?

Come on guys, it's like this...

Maybe I can sneak away to give Harper a kiss.  Hee hee!

Harrrrrpppppeeeerrrr!

It's Not Like the Backyard

We decided Warren was at a good age to try an organized team sport.  So, we registered him for Itty Bitty Soccer at the YMCA.  Last night was our first night.  Let me just say that it reminded me of the adorable Publix commercial, where the little boy is playing in a soccer game, while the mom and dad are watching.  He watches balls go blazing by, as he concentrates on the shapes in the sky.  The dad is just utterly frustrated and says "Boy, it's not like the backyard, is it?"

Well, no it is not.  Up until last night, Warren had been very excited about playing soccer.  He was excited when he found out he got to wear shin guards; he was excited when he found out he was on the yellow team; he was excited when he found out he should wear his "fast shorts"....he was not excited to play!  After we realized Chris would not be able to make it, because he would be taking Harper to the doctor to check for croupe, we loaded Warren up in the car, crying.  I convinced him that he didn't have to play, we would just go watch.  After a little persuasion, he reluctantly went out and started kicking the ball around, until it was time to get started.  Then, every time he was not handling the ball, he was on the sideline giving me a hug and a kiss.  For 45 minutes, the children worked through different centers with drill-like activities, where they were asked to "shoot" and "dribble" and "pass."  Well, while Warren has kicked a soccer ball many times, he was not familiar with that vocabulary.  So, when the ball was kicked to him, he picked it up and ran it to the coach, who kindly said "Oh, thanks buddy, but this is soccer.  We've gotta use our feet."  In the "dribble" activity, one little boy picked the ball up and started dribbling, like a basketball.  Again the coach said "Good job, buddy, but this is soccer.  Dribbling is with your feet."  So, with that the boy picked the ball up and started jumping on it, trying to dribble it like a basketball, but with his foot.  (You can catch a glimpse of Warren's participating in the video....when you see him swinging his arms around...imagine that for the next 3 minutes after the video ends.)

And while that was all very cute, the not so cute part was the parents.  I was utterly shocked by the competitiveness of the parents.  I was surrounded by parents yelling...to their 4 year old...."Come on, T, get your head in the game!"  or "Emory, keep your eye on the ball, now, focus on the game!"  Really?  These are 4 year olds.  What happened to just kicking the ball and running??

Needlesstosay, Warren didn't have a super great time...partly because he missed participating in half of the activities because he was too busy giving me hugs and kisses.  But, we are going to go back and try it again next week.  We're not quitters.  Maybe we just need to "get our head in the game?"

Opposites Attract

Our boys could not be more different.  Warren is very thin and growing taller.  He is very structured and likes things to be just "so"....I don't know where he gets it from?  Harper is, well, not so thin.  He is very hot tempered and hilarious!  We went through a long, difficult time getting Warren to eat and gain weight when he was younger.  My my how times have changed.  We've just started getting notes from school for Harper that say "Harper really loves his food."  or "Harper ate two meals today."  Finally, his teacher stopped me and said "Mom, you've gotta send more food."  Yesterday, after he had an afternoon snack when we got home, the boys started to color.  I look over to find Harper eating the marker.  (And yes, instead of grabbing the marker from him, I grabbed the camera.) 

Uh oh

This past Saturday was beautiful!  The weather was gorgeous...what better to do than take the family for a walk around Lake Hollingsworth.  Or, so I thought....

Warren was all set to ride his bike, while Chris and I pulled Harper in the wagon.  Let me just tell you that Warren, while small...is mighty!  He is very fast and as such, he would ride on ahead in front of us, while we lagged behind pulling Harper.  As we approached Florida Southern, Warren started to turn around to ride back to us, when his front tire slipped off the sidewalk.  Faster than Chris could run, Warren (holding tightly to his shiny red bike) headed into the lake.  He raced down that hill, flipped over the handlebars and landed in the lake, on a pile of dead bushes.  Chris leaped in to pull him out.  Meanwhile, Harper finished eating his and Warren's Cheeze-Its, drank all of his juice then proceeded to pour Warren's out on top of him.  Good times!

Tough Questions

I'm in the middle of some tough conversations with Warren lately.  Sunday night, after we finished reading in bed, he started crying because he was scared.  I reminded him that he didn't need to be scared, because God and Pops were watching over him.  Then he said he was crying because he missed Pops and he wanted to sit next to him and eat lunch.  Well, of course I started bawling too.  Thus began our week.....

Tonight, he started crying again.  This time, because he missed Dickens (my mom's dog).  He asked me where Dickens went and I told him that Dickens was up in Heaven.  When he asked me why, I told him that God needed Dickens up there with Pops.  Warren started bawling.  He said he wasn't ready to go to Heaven because if he did Harper was going to miss him. 

I knew that this precious little four year old.....my precious four year old was doing some serious thinking and this was a defining moment.  As gently as I could, without bawling myself, I told him that people don't go to Heaven until God is ready for them.  And that he doesn't need to worry because I don't think God is ready for him up there yet.  

I also told him that when people go to Heaven, it's a really great place....people in Heaven are never sad.  So, we are sad here because we don't have Pops, but Pops isn't sad.  And that if we went to Heaven, Harper probably would be sad because we weren't here with him, but we wouldn't be sad in Heaven.  With that he turned over and fell right to sleep. 

"Mommy...no one even smelled it."

I picked the boys up from school today, as I do everyday.  Got everyone buckled in and started home, talking about our days.  After telling me about "ice skating" and having "snowball fights" at school, Warren then tells me "and Mommy, you know what?"  Expecting something about the pretend snow and ice, I continued and said "What?"  This was his response:  "Today, on the playground, I tooted and I didn't say 'excuse me' but it was ok because no one even smelled it!"  We've trained 'em well!

Warren vs. Harper

I'm constantly amazed at how different the boys are.  And, how early we knew how different they were.  From the time  Harper was a newborn, their personalities were as different as night and day.  Warren was (and still is) very, very structured.  Like his mommy, everything has to be "just so."  He does much better if he knows exactly what is going on ahead of time.  Doesn't do well with surprises.  And, if you tell him "no"....just tell him why you said "No" and he's fine.  He is always on the go....rarely sitting still, even to eat.  Food is the last thing on his mind.

Harper, however, is completely opposite....like his daddy.  From the time he was an infant, he has been very laid back, easy-going.  He's a happy little boy....whereas Warren is, well, let's just say, is a little more difficult to please.  The only time Harper really fusses is when he's hungry or tired.  Give him some food and he's content.  However, when Harper is down and on the go....he gets into everything.  This is new for us, as Warren was never really like that.  While we had the cabinets locked and babyproofed for Warren, we never really needed it.  Warren never did, nor does he now, put much in his mouth.  No so for Harper.  This I knew.

So, shame on me.  Today, while we were trapped inside all day because of the bad weather, I left Warren in the garage to paint a gorgeous picture of a fire breathing dragon.  He came inside when he finished and told me he was done.  He left the door open, just a smidge.  Mistake #1.  Had the tables been turned and Warren were the infant, this would not have been an issue.  However, if there is an open door, Harper will find it.  And, sure enough....he made his way into the garage....and found the open paint and paintbrushes.  Mistake #2.  Again, had this been Warren, open paint jars would not be an issue.  However...if there is something that could go in his mouth, Harper will find it.  Needlesstosay, I walked out to find Harper licking the paint off the paintbrushes.

I guess I shouldn't tell you about Warren painting the van last week.

Party in the crib....

While most of my blogs have been written about things our older son, Warren, has done....we do have a second son, Harper....who is equally adorable and genius!  In fact, Chris and the boys went to church today, while I was feeling lousy.  They came home in time for Chris to put Harper down for a nap....not without a fight.  He cried for a bit....then talk and talk and talk.....then a few "Uh ohs."  Go in....and we find this masterpiece...