The Ozmerican Life

Yesterday morning I was finished with my morning chores...those chores included washing a load of laundry 3 times because I had ignored that little voice in my head that said, "You probably shouldn't wash Nathan's gasoline covered shop clothes with the rest of your laundry."

Anyway, I heard the kids jumping all around on the bean bag we got for our reading corner...



I ran upstairs and jumped right in with them, tickling and throwing them around. Quaid was not impressed. He and Ava were playing some sort of house game...had their beds set up...etc. Quaid is quite particular how he likes things and when he's frustrated with something he gets pouty...oh that reminds me...take a little trip off road with me...When we are doing school he usually gets things straight away. I tell him once and he has it. Not very many things give him trouble. But he is growing up and the more we learn the more it takes him a couple of times to get things. Counting by 5's for one thing...that poor boy...it's finally starting to click. But he had a rough time with it. So whenever he can't get something the first time...he gets mad at the page and huffily puts a big, strong, dark "X" over it with his pencil. As if to protest what's on the page. And then he huffs back down in his chair, arms crossed and all. It's quite funny...as if him making that mark on the page is going to change the fact that he does indeed need to do it...Big X and all. I have successfully learned how to combat that behavior and it doesn't get him very far and it rarely happens anymore...Just yesterday...those darn root words!

Ok, so back on the highway...did you enjoy your view? So he had finally had it with my tickling and tossing him around and he went storming off..half laughing because he knew he was having fun...what kid doesn't like to be tickled...and half mad because I had ruined his "house." I called him right back as just like in school, the huffy attitude doesn't last in our house. So he came to me crying and we has some cuddle time with a few leftover tears.

Keira looks up to see Quaid in tears...then immediately comes barreling over and throw herself up on the bean bag and claws her way to Quaid...she climbs right up on him and smacks on his chest for a cuddle. Then she climbs up further and tilts her head and reaches her neck around to get straight in his face and plants the biggest kiss on his cheek. We have been trying to get Keira to give kisses for quite some time. She usually just swats us away as if it's a game. But recently she has given a few away. So to see her do this on her own is new for her. And then she kissed him again, and again, and again. A real kiss...not one of those open mouthed drooling one that kids usually start out with. And every time Quaid turned his head in smiles she found his cheek again and again and laid her head right down on him and reached her little arms around him and Quaid returned the hug...by now...all smiles and giggles. It was so precious. She knew he was sad, and she wanted to help. There is a special bond between the older brother and the little sister.

I have many many memories of special time, just me and my brother Bob. Out of all of my siblings when I was little, he always had time for me and played around with me like a kid. As the youngest of 6...all my siblings played a different role in my life...and Bob, despite being 6 years older than me...still had a special bond with me! We did so many fun things together as kids...and seeing Keira and Quaid made me remember them all! And then I thought...if Quaid was in school he would miss all this. He would not have had that moment with Keira. I love that my kids are all together making memories together...no one is missing out.

In the middle of that kissing attack...Ava tried to get in on it. She reached to grab Keira and pull her over. Oh NO! Miss Keira was having none of that. She swatted Ava away and grabbed on even tighter to Quaid and more kisses continued. It was Quaid who needed her and she was there for him!

There is nothing sweeter than seeing your kids love on each other and take care of one another.