Sharp Shooters

The kids are having so much fun with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. However, the other day Grandpa Kennedy took the boys out to shoot his bb gun! Harmony felt that was a little to "boy" for her and so she didn't do it. The boys thought it was very cool!

brother bond

When I found out that I was preggo with Connor, I wanted to kill Ben. Seriously. I was so upset.I felt bad for Ethan that his turn at being the baby had been cut so short.

When I had my ultra-sound and found out it was another boy, I felt bad. I thought that since the boys were so close in age they probably wouldn't get along very well. Having to share friends, rooms, toys etc.

What I wasn't prepared for, was the incredibly close bond that those two have. Now don't get me wrong, those two can fight with the best of them. But, it is amazing to me to see them when they are together.

They giggle, and whisper secrets. They talk about Legos, Indiana Jones and video games. They share jokes. They do some gross boy things. They walk to the bus stop together. They make sure that the other one is ok. They sit by each other on the bus. They are not just brothers but friends.

My favorite thing that they do, by far, is their "bestest brother sleepovers". I told them that by sharing a room, they have sleepovers every night. They don't see it that way though! So it is becoming a regular thing, to go in and find them both asleep on the same bed. Usually it is just the two of them, but I think they would let Ivan if he went right to sleep and didn't bug them. Usually when you find them like this, there are legos on the bed also!

I went in to check on them last night, and found them asleep on Connor's bed. So I just had to snap pictures and remember this moment. Ahhhh...boys!

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Speaking of brother bonds, although the other two are not quite as close with Ivan, they still want to help him. Ivan is very picky about how his legos are "fixed". So usually I just have Ethan and Connor do it! One day Ivan was very unhappy with how I had put his ship back together, so I said my usual line, " Well have Connor help you when he gets home." And Ivan pipes up with, "Mommy you go get Connor school. He need help me." Nice try Ivan. But as you can see by the pictures, as soon as he got home he helped his little brother! I love these boys!

sexist

Somewhere along the way, I decided that taking out the garbage is " a man's job." I mean come on, it's stinky, bulky, what if the bag is ripped and stuff drips out. Yuck. Maybe it is because ( forgive me if I am wrong) but I never really saw my Mom take the garbage out. My Dad always would. I don't recall ever being asked to take it out while I was younger...my brothers or Dad would. So maybe I am a product of my environment. :)

With Ben being gone, that means that unfortunatley the job falls to me. Or does it? That little Ethan, he got dressed very quickly this morning, and helped me empty all of the bedroom and bathroom garbages. Then he brought out all the flattened boxes for me too. Towards the end, Connor went out and helped him.

I was doing Harm's hair at the time ( more sexism, I don't make her take garbage out!)but I looked out at my boys and told Harm, " when you start dating, you need to date boys like your Dad and brothers. Ones who are gentleman and take care of their women."

She gave me that Harmony look and said, " I don't want to depend on boys. I don't want to be a princess." Now I always realized that she was independent but...

I explained to her that she and I are helping to train the boys. That their future wives will appreciate that they take the garbage out, clean up after themselves, open doors and carry girly church bags. I believe that how they treat their Mom and their sister will directly impact how they treat their wives.

I am not sure she was impressed with my answer, but I told her we need to give them opportunities to be gentleman and to let them know that we appreciate that. Personally I am getting so sick of sitcoms that portray men as idiots. So I want her to value and appreciate how important these guys are in our lives. I also told her that it doesn't mean she can't be a strong woman. And what does she say? " Thank heaven."