JustJessie

A New Twist on Bedtime Stories

A big part of our bedtime routine is stories.  Usually I read Grant a picture book, and we read a chapter or two of a big book for Grayson.  On my last trip to the library, though, I picked up a few easy readers for Grayson, and he has done great with them.  So for the last few nights, he reads Grant his story (usually with an encore), then we read his chapters, then Grant "reads" whatever book Grayson read to him.  I love that Grayson is actually interested in reading now.  It seems like it was a long time coming... he had me worried a little bit.  Something tells me Grant will be learning early just to keep up with big bubba.

What it's all about

Some days I wonder, what am I thinking? What am I doing staying at home with two boys, one of whom I could have put in school this year?  Is it really worth the sacrifice?  the drama?  the constant defense of what I do to people who don't understand?  Are they missing out on something by being always here with me?

And then there's this.  There is always a moment, a gesture, a touch that makes me remember.  We are who we are because of this life we live.  I'm not just the cleaning lady/laundress/nurse/cook.  I am the creator of memories, the moulder of personalities, the author of happiness in our home.  I give my life to these boys so that they will know what they're worth to me.  I show love every way I know how, and in return I see them do the same for each other.

Twilight Storytime

Taking a moment.  Taking a breath.  Listening, reading, being.

Crickets and lightning bugs, giggles and dancing, fresh air at bedtime.

Sweet bubbas, enjoying each other.  Enjoying our life and our love.

What's wrong with this picture? WW#4

Friendly neghborhood "Moo-mans"

"Moo-mans" is Grant's favorite superhero right now.  He doesn't know much about him, only that big bubba thinks he's cool.  So now he's obsessed with "Moo-mans" and we had to dig out Grayson's old underoos.  Grayson even let Grant's bear borrow Kasey's spiderman outfit so they could match.

He was so cute walking around in that mask and the big ol' gloves.  He could barely see out of the eye-holes and his whole hand was in the palm of the glove, but he felt SO big wearing them.

"Best Brother in the World" trophy

While Grayson was staring lovingly at his new trophy, talking about how he had TWO of them now, it suddenly dawned on him that Grant had none.  He wanted to make him one, and he asked if we could make him one out of tinfoil.  It took some pondering before I could figure out how to make it work, but this is what we came up with.

We started with an old toy of Daddy's and half a plastic heart, and we glued the man down with glue dots: Then we started wrapping him in foil.  Grayson was sooo happy with the results.  He couldn't wait until Grant woke up and he could give it to him.  He presented it to him and made a little speech, telling him he got the trophy for being the best baby bubba in the world.  (To which Grant replied, "MINE! MINE! MINE TOPIES BUBBA!")

He carried it around all day as if he knew how much work Grayson put into it.  It made me so proud that he  would be that thoughful of his little brother.  It was one of those moments that make parenting a pleasure.