One-on-One

Since Granny's been in town, I've had the luxury of spending more one-on-one time with the kids (thanks a million, Granny!)  This has been wonderful since normally I spend most of the time on my own with the three of them (on weekdays anyway), juggling idiosyncratic schedules, dragging one or more to school pick-ups, working to keep the peace between them, and basically trying to survive.

The kids seem to enjoy the one-on-one interaction as much as I do.  We talk.  And talk.  We laugh and get silly.  We hold hands and sometimes steal kisses (or "smoochies" as Chase likes to call them) from each other.  They get to know me better, and I get to know them on a deeper level.  I know realistically that with three kids these one-on-one opportunities are going to be few and far between, so I treasure them, keep them close to my heart.

Skyler and I have been going to her school library to 

do homework on some afternoons.  

It is so calm and peaceful there without baby brothers 

wreaking havoc and vying for my attention. 

This week, Skyler seems to be on a self-imposed
 mission of self-improvement:

Out of the blue, S:  "Mom, I decided I'm going to be a better person."

Me:  "A what?"

S:  "A better person, for God.  Like I want to be a better student.

And a better sister to my brothers and better to you."

And indeed, she's been working hard on her manners, helping out

around the house, showing an interest in Evan (!) and

even playing with him, and cooperating with a smile.

We'll see how long this current trend lasts, but

she has grown up so much, even in just the last couple of weeks.

Can I say the word blossom?

Of all the kids, I probably get the least one-on-one time with Chase.  

As much as I've tried to guard against it, logistically,

that's just how it works out with being the middle child.

(And I'm very sensitive about these things, being a middle child myself.)

That being said, I really appreciate these rare
opportunities to bond.

Last week, Chase and I had a lunch date at Arlington Hall park.

We were the only ones there (it was a very chilly day) 

so we had the run of the place.

He was so excited when I got up on the playground equipment

and started chasing him around.

Some things that I adore about Chase is that

he is quick to laugh, poised for silliness, and ever-ready to have fun.

When we first got to the park he tried to climb this

 blue apparatus, got scared, and came back down.
Later, he tried again, and successfully made it all the way up,
with the reward being a fun, twisty slide down.
Me:  "How did you do it, Chase?"
C, triumphantly: "I thought I was brave, and I became brave!"
Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about!

Since Evan is the baby, I get the most one-on-one time
with him (when the older ones are in school.)
Much of our time together, though, is spent by me
trying to get things done around the house,
getting groceries, running errands, etc.

So it's always fun to spend time with Evan,
just being with him, going on a simple outing and
giving him my full attention.
He is growing up so fast, articulating more and more
everyday.  Sometimes I wonder, where has my baby gone?

Evan loves buses (and other vehicles), so he was very excited to
see these at the Columbia Pike library parking lot:
"Bus!  Bus!"
In the bottom pic he's running with a rock in his hand
to throw into the puddle (one of his favorite pastimes.)