Scowls

Okay, I just have to start with a little praise for my two youngest. We just walked in the door from taking Owen to school and I immediately said, “lets take our shoes off and put them away.” I helped Aron take his off and then handed them to him. I got distracted by something and didn’t follow up with my command but checked on them a few minutes later. They are upstairs playing and their shoes are in the closet. They didn’t ask for help, they didn’t whine or complain, they didn’t leave their shoes on and go upstairs or just take them off and leave them in the living room. It’s the little things that make my job worthwhile. I’m so proud of the little fellas.

Ivan said something funny while we were dropping Owen off. The van door was open and the young girl, who helps kids get out of their cars so moms don’t have to, was waiting on Owen to get all of his stuff together. A teacher was standing outside keeping everything running smoothly and Ivan heard her tell the helpers to have the next car pull-up so that they could help more people. Ivan said, “mom, did you hear that? They have pull-ups here.” I love that kid. It’s like he’s in this zone of discovering everything, and verbalizing all his wonders is making me more aware of all of it too.

We used to have a little fun with the fact that Owen was afraid of leaves. He was in the zoo one time at an early age, he hadn’t been walking very long, and a gust of wind blew some leaves in a swirling mass all around him. He got very scared and for months after would freak out if a leaf moved at all. Even leaves lying still on the ground were avoided at all cost. Yesterday I watched Aron running with some of the other neighborhood kids on the other side of the street. As he ran the wind was blowing in the same direction he was headed and the leaves were following and passing him. I saw him notice it and then I saw him run faster than I’ve ever seen him go. He was moving. When he got to the neighbors driveway and felt safe he stopped and watched the leaves for a while…I could see the questions and concern in his eyes. I don’t know if I would have known what bothered him if we hadn’t experienced Owen’s fear.

It’s interesting to me that even the pictures of them frightened are precious mental photos to me. I guess it’s the discovery and learning more about them that makes it memorable. Maybe it’s knowing that their fears are so small, that it’s something they’ll conquer and I can easily protect them that makes it seem innocent, noteworthy and almost sweet. A leaf is something only someone little, teachable and mold-able would be afraid of. It proves their vulnerability and heightens my desire to be their safety net and their teacher. I love being mom to these guys.

I used to know someone named Gina
she was suave as a great ballerina
she would move with such grace
but the scowl on her face
was as fierce as a spotted hyena

I’ve used hyena before and I hate to do that, but I’m not coming up with anything else right now.

One last thing. Eric and Tisra Fadely have their daughter and there are pictures on their friend/photographer’s blog…check it out. And…my brother-in-law and his wife have a new little one in their household recently. They are new foster parents. I just happened to get on Twitter this morning and saw the news. I don’t normally check twitter very often, but I’m glad I did. Congratulations to everyone.