I am a firm believer in the power of nature and the sun. My boys are living proof that when we are born, we feel one with nature, and that being outside in the fresh air renews us and completes us. The snow is melting (despite the freak storm last Friday), the birds are out, and so are the bears. This can only mean that spring is around the corner.
We have been spending a lot of time outside - whether we are bundled in winter coats or wearing just sweatshirts, we just love being outside. The driveway has finally melted down to the mud, and part of the yard is down to grass. This means the soccer goal is set up, and we have been having a lot of soccer games in the yard. Carter is completely getting into it, stealing the ball from Pierce and all. Pierce is a great sport; if he sees that Carter is truly struggling, I do not have to say a word. Pierce will try to teach him how to kick a goal, or will get the ball out of the jaws of Amber for Carter. I never knew my heart could be filled with as much joy as it is when I watch the two of them play together, and try to figure out the other one's next move. I oddly feel complete and reassured that I am doing a great job teaching what I am supposed to be teaching about being a human being and having a giving soul.
Now, for the not so mushy stuff. The fish tank is completely set up and thriving. We have ghost shrimp, 4 guppies, a black and yellow platy, a wisteria plant, and a snap dragon plant. It looks incredible. However, I figured out as we went along and set everything up, this tank is not just for the boys...it is for Danny too. He will sit in the boys room with them and talk about the fish or just watch them. I am so thankful it has given him something to bond with the boys. And please do not misunderstand; he is their father, and they love him so very much. I mean he has 5 days a week with them while I work. Yes, I have the boys 5 days a week as well, but it is different. I have all day with them to do cool things. Danny just has them at night for dinner, bath, and bed. It is not the same amount of time, or the same type of time. This fish tank has certainly brought the three of them together.
Carter has suddenly spawned into Mr. Independent, playing with things by himself and coming up with his own ideas. It is a bittersweet site. For example, I was cooking dinner tonight waiting for him to want to help me like he normally does. He came into the kitchen with his bucket of trains, and started building a train across the floor. Yes, he was in the kitchen with mommy, but it was certainly not WITH mommy. I know this is a very normal part of development, and like I said I am excited. But, I miss my little cuddle bug. :)
Carter is also trying to put together full sentences, and will no longer tolerate his big brother talking over him. He has become very adept in yelling over his brother to make sure he is heard. This usually leads to Pierce yelling, and then they look at each other and start laughing. It is certainly a site to be seen.
Lastly, Carter is really starting to love coloring and painting. He will now request to paint, use his Aqua Doodle mat, grab his crayons, or use these Melissa and Doug books that I found at Target that are great for painting in the car (they only require water). I love that he is finally showing a creative side, and not just an athletic side. However, if you give him the choice of a book or anything else, the book will always win. Hands down.
Pierce is making huge strides about being separated from me in a place outside of home. I took him to child watch today, with not a single tear on the way there or IN the building. He just needs the reassurance that I will always come back, and then he is fine. He actually colored a picture for me today, and I walked in to him saying "Go work out some more. I'm not done playing yet." His normal babysitter was not there either; it was two girls he had only seen one other time. And he was FINE! Go Pierce!
Pierce has also developed this love of letters. He points out what letters are what while we are reading, and he has started playing this game on sesamestreet.org with Cookie Monster looking for certain letters. I decided to take it a bit farther tonight with the book Peak a Who? and start teaching him how to spell simple words and sound them out. He can certainly spell moo now - and thinks it is so cool. He is right, it is awesome!
Now drum roll please...Pierce is officially swimming (with a bubble) and skating (slowly) on his own! I noticed a lot of his hiccups are confidence issues. I do not know how to make him feel more confident when I am always giving him praise and reassurance. When it came to swimming Dan just let go and told him he has it. And he did. Completely. I finally did the same thing for skating. I explained that if he could not skate on his own, he could not play hockey. That was apparently the key sentence, because then he figured out he could do it on his own. I am so proud of him for trusting us and believing in himself.
I am so excited for the spring and summer...in fact, probably too excited. I want to create a bucket list of things to do and CHEAP places to go so we don't find ourselves exploring the same things over and over. It is exciting to have two children old enough to explore and to help remind me to look at the smaller things. I hope everyone has a great rest of the week, and if you are going through a rough patch, just breathe. Life is one big cycle, and it will get better sooner than later.
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