I have been keeping up on this blog ever since Ethan was just a few months old. It is a great record and journal of our family life. We love looking back at past holidays and events and the boys love seeing themselves when they were babies. I have not made baby books or other scrap books...I plan to one day print out these blog posts in book form and make the boys special remembrance books from the blog. Lately it has been harder for me to keep my blog up to date. Part of it is that our computer doesn't work very well and it makes the whole process frustrating, the other part is that life is just busy and I don't make it a priority. I feel like lately my blog has just become a record of places we've been and things we've done, I've been missing out on the little moments in life that I'd like a record of too. A month ago, I wrote a note to myself to write a blog post about Ethan and Caden's special brotherly relationship, I remember there was a tender moment that gave me this thought that I always wanted to remember. Well, I've waited so long I can't remember the moment I wanted to document. Maybe I'll remember it and can edit this post later. Either way, I still think their brotherly love is worth mentioning...so here goes.
In May, I wrote a blog post called "Brotherly Love," about how Ethan, full of faith and love for his little brother, fasted for Caden before he had his ECG so that his heart would be okay. I titled this blog post Part 2 to continue on with those thoughts on how I love seeing the brotherly love between these boys lately.
This past Friday I had a house full of boys! They were going on snake hunts in the backyard, dressing as super heroes and running around in a world of imagination having the best time together. It's in these moments that I think being a mom of boys is the best thing in the world. They are just so fun! This particular Friday it was Ethan that had invited 2 friends over, but I loved how he included Caden in the group. Quinn also felt included, even though he was usually trailing the crowd about 4 feet behind.
At these ages 5 and 7, Caden and Ethan really are best friends. They have such a great relationship and truly get along so well. I know that their relationship is special, 98% of the time they get along really well. I'm trying not to take these happy days for granted. I have a few theories on why they get along so well. One is that Ethan is the oldest. He is extremely patient with his little brothers, and is so sensitive to contention, he avoids it at all costs. He is also social and always needs someone to play with, so by default Caden gets to play. I definitely think it helps that they are close in age and that they have similar interests. At these ages they could both be content playing for hours in an imaginary scenario. I think the year that we moved every month helped solidify their friendship when we all just had each other. But probably the most accurate theory is that I believe their friendship started in heaven before they were born. Truly, I do. In fact, when I was pregnant with Caden, Clark and I took Ethan into the ultrasound to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. As we were looking at baby Caden up on the screen, Clark said, "look Ethan, that's your little brother." Right at that very moment baby Caden waved...he literally waved right at the screen like he was saying, "yay, I'm here bro, let's get this party started!" It was such a great moment, all of us looked at each other with our jaws dropped. Did you SEE that?
At these ages 5 and 7, Caden and Ethan really are best friends. They have such a great relationship and truly get along so well. I know that their relationship is special, 98% of the time they get along really well. I'm trying not to take these happy days for granted. I have a few theories on why they get along so well. One is that Ethan is the oldest. He is extremely patient with his little brothers, and is so sensitive to contention, he avoids it at all costs. He is also social and always needs someone to play with, so by default Caden gets to play. I definitely think it helps that they are close in age and that they have similar interests. At these ages they could both be content playing for hours in an imaginary scenario. I think the year that we moved every month helped solidify their friendship when we all just had each other. But probably the most accurate theory is that I believe their friendship started in heaven before they were born. Truly, I do. In fact, when I was pregnant with Caden, Clark and I took Ethan into the ultrasound to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. As we were looking at baby Caden up on the screen, Clark said, "look Ethan, that's your little brother." Right at that very moment baby Caden waved...he literally waved right at the screen like he was saying, "yay, I'm here bro, let's get this party started!" It was such a great moment, all of us looked at each other with our jaws dropped. Did you SEE that?
Clark usually drops them off at school in the morning and reports that they usually walk into school hand in hand. I'm so glad they have both been at school this year to face being the new kids together. They only have recess together one time a week on Thursday afternoons. Every Thursday when I pick them up from school they can't wait to tell me that they got to play together at recess! It is the high point of each week.
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| Always a brother around to be helpful, even during homework time. |
They help each other out. Ethan is afraid of dark places and hates going upstairs or downstairs by himself if there are no lights on. So he recruits Caden to go down first and turn on the lights. Ethan also doesn't like bugs and critters. He's curious about them, but doesn't want to touch them...so he gets Caden to pick them up and show them to him. Caden on the other hand is nervous about new situations, like starting school or karate lessons. He really relies on Ethan at these times until he feels comfortable. As long as Ethan is there he is game to try something new.
When our friends the Fowler's came to visit in September both of my boys wanted to ride with them in their van when we went places. There was only one extra spot so we had the boys take turns. As we drove to our next destination Caden was in our car and I could tell he was disappointed he wasn't with his friends in the van so I reminded him that he would get the next turn. He thought about it for a second and then said, "but what about Ethan, then he'll be sad, I'll just stay in your car so Ethan can be with his friends, so he won't be sad."
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| It takes 3 brothers to take down this 1 Dad! |
1 comment:
Love this post! And I love the picture of Clark and the boys outside during homework time. I can't believe how beautiful those sunsets are at your house!
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