I am writing this post from my usual nightly position, sitting "criss cross applesauce" outside of Joey's door in the hallway. Joey keeps leaning out of his bed so he can see me and saying "I love you mommy. I just want to tell you that I love you." I am trying to review grants for work but I also feel the urge to document my pride in my oldest son right now.
The boys are on spring break right now and even though we are not soaking up the rays in Florida like so many of our friends, we have managed to squeeze in some fun. We went to the Pacers game Friday night, watched the Butler game on Saturday night with my family, took Oma out to dinner on Sunday night to celebrate her birthday, had Ben's BFF Nathan spend the night on Sunday night and enjoyed a day of fun at Monkey Joes on Monday. Tuesday we had a slightly less enjoyable time as we headed to northern Indiana for my Uncle John's funeral. Ben had a friend over today to play for a few hours and then it was time for the highlight of the week...time to pick up Brookie B. We get to have our best girl spend the rest of the week with us and we all couldn't be happier.
It was the most precious thing in the world to watch how much "the cousins" love each other. Brookie and Joey have always had a bond that is unshakeable and just laugh and smile at each other nonstop. Ben has latched onto Landon and it is awesome to watch those two together. Landon is a lover for sure and quick to smile at anyone who pays attention to him, but I definitely think he loves his cousin Ben and Ben is for sure in love with him.
Brookie and the boys had fun this afternoon/evening playing in the basement, eating dinner together, and having a dance party, complete with shirts off and lots of sommersaults. It was awesome! Joey and Brookie obviously capped off the evening with a bath together, entertainment provided by Benny, and then Nana and Bampaw stopped by to visit with 3 of their 4 favorite little people.
All was wonderful until bedtime. Brookie was NOT having it. I felt bad for her because she kept saying "I go home. I go home. I go home." Poor muffin. Evidently sleeping at Aunt Melanie's house is not near as fun as playing at Aunt Melanie's house. Well with Brookie not going to bed, that meant no one was going to bed. I decided to let everyone finish the movie (Megamind) they were watching prior to our first attempt at bedtime around 8 p.m. I rocked Brookie for a bit and then handed her off to Ben while I straightened up. Ben literally held, snuggled, rocked, talked to Brookie for over an hour. I had taken Joey to bed and assumed my hallway position when Benny and Brookie came walking around the corner hand in hand. Ben led Brookie to bed, I went in and tucked them both in (she is sleeping...well at least that is the plan...in the trundle bed in Ben's room) and when I walked out of the room she had her thumb in her mouth and her little sleepy eyes were gazing adoringly up at her "Bubby."
The sweetness didn't last long, FYI. Little Miss Stinker has come strolling out into the hallway five times now and puts her finger to her lips "shhh. Yanon sleeping. Joey sleeping. Bubby sleeping" and then asks me to "play?" I pick her up, carry her back to bed, tuck her in and kiss her head. I am wondering how many more times we will go through this routine tonight! My girl is definitely worth it though.
Back to the point of this post. Ben rocks. I am super hard on that kid and have been really dissapointed in his behavior lately. He is really struggling with being kind to his brother, non-mouthy to his parents, generous with others, non-bossy with his friends, etc. I love how Brooke and Landon bring out the best in Ben. He is so loving, kind, gentle, and sweet with those two and I hope he always is. I was so proud of him tonight as he gladly assumed the role of caretaker with Brookie B at bedtime. He is an excellent cousin and a pretty terrific kid in general...it was nice to be reminded of that tonight.
It is now 9:50 p.m. and all seems to be still...for now. I wonder which one of my little loves will visit us first tonight?!
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