On The Bright Side

Two weeks left of summer and I am choosing to spend them positively, not focusing on the bad but enjoying all the good that comes from spending time with these crazy boys of mine.  They really are fabulous, despite all the negativity I seem to have posted recently.  A few reasons why...

Benny Rocks!

• This kid is FUNNY.  Ben has always had an advanced sense of humor.  He tells great jokes, makes funny faces, and is always up for a dance party...which is really funny to witness but I'm pretty sure he is dead serious about his moves so maybe don't tell him that I think they are funny.  The are really, really, cool too ;)
• He is a gentleman.  Ben loves the ladies, including (most of the time) me.  He opens doors, carries items, and fetches snacks/drinks for any lady in his company.  I love that.
• He is very in-tune with the emotions of others.  Ben can tell right away if someone is having a bad day and is really bothered by people around him being sad.  Last night I had a tummy ache and Ben was super concerned about my health and wanted me to lay down and feel better.  I believe his exact words were "What's wrong, Mom?  Are you going to die?  Go to bed!"
• He is super easy to travel with.  Benny is always up for an adventure and loves getting out of the house and going just about anywhere.
• When he doesn't think anyone is watching, Ben is a pretty excellent big brother.  He really does love Joe (again, in privacy) and enjoys protecting him and teaching him how to do things.

Joey is AWESOME!

• He is an individual.  Maybe it is his age, but Joey seems completely content in his skin and comfortable with who he is.  And who he is is pretty remarkable!  Joey is all boy and is in constant motion, jumping, running, tumbling, throwing, catching, yelling, etc. but his favorite color is pink and yesterday at church we made a necklace that wasn't big enough to go over his head so he proudly plopped it on top of his head and walked around with his "crown."  He is totally unconcerned by "societal norms" or what other people think about him and I PRAY he keeps this trait forever.  I am jealous of his confidence.
• He has a vision.  Whether doing an art project, setting up a car city, or buildling something with blocks, Joey has a definite idea of how something should look.  I feel like he will be an engineer or something like that when he grows up.  However...
• He is flexible.  I am quite certain this comes from being the second child, but Joey is super laid back about changes in plans.  He may get upset but he will almost always say "Oh-kay" and go along withthe new plan. 
• He is a great singer.  Joey loves music and I love listening to him sing.  He knows almost all the words to every theme song on TV, mainstream radio song/Radio Disney song, and every OAR song he has ever heard.  He has a lovely voice and is so cute when he sings along :)
• He is a lover and a sharer.  As big of a brute as he can be, Joey has such a sweet heart and he really just wants everyone to be content and having fun.  He will share his toys willingly with everyone (except maybe his brother...sometimes that doesn't come quite as easy) and is kind to everyone.  His favorite person on the planet remains his cousin Brookie.  I can already tell that he will be a great protector of her...watch out boys!

It has been super hot lately and we have been forced indoors.  This could have been a recipe for disaster with my wild children but we have actually enjoyed reading books, painting, organizing closets (we actually did enjoy this, they are definitely their parents children), watching movies, building car cities, and just talking.  I think the slower pace was just what we needed.  I love sitting back and watching them in action.  I remain so blessed to be their mom and so proud of the little people they are.