Take for instance....
Evan - Evan has become increasingly aware of his looks lately. He never leaves the house without combing his hair - and I don't even ask him to do it. He was in dire need of pants last week and I took him with me to make sure I got the right size. It's a good thing I did, because I would have bought all the wrong things. It's apparent that I know nothing about second grade fashion. I would give anything to have my kids attend a school that required uniforms, life would be so easy!
Evan's newly-acquired self-image awareness is even rubbing off on his brothers. Luke slicked his hair back before coming downstairs for breakfast. After eating I announced it was time for all short people to get dressed. Luke quickly protested, telling me his hair would get messed up if he took his pajama shirt off. I promised to help him take it off carefully. No good. We agreed on a fresh pair of pants and undies (leaving his pajama shirt and hair untouched) and went about our day. Pick your battles, I reminded myself. Pick your battles.
Derek and I had a standoff with Evan yesterday morning while getting him ready for school. It was snowing and we informed him that the hoodie he was wearing was not a sufficient coat for a wet spring snowstorm. Our conversation went something like this:
Derek- Evan, put your coat on.
Evan- No. I'm not wearing that coat. I don't like that coat. It's my worst coat EVER!
Me- Why is it your worst coat ever? I thought you liked that coat. You were with me when I bought it and you even helped me pick it out.
Evan- NUH-UH! YOU picked it out by yourself, and it makes me look like a first grader! It's a coat for babies and I'm not wearing it. (I searched my mental files and he was right. He was not with me when I purchased the coat. A mistake I vow never to make again.)
Derek- Evan, put your coat on NOW!
Me- Evan, winter is almost over. This may be the last time you ever have to wear it. We'll wash it up and it will be Luke's coat for next year. I promise to take you with me this fall and let you pick out a new winter coat.
Evan- FINE! (He puts the coat on and proceeds to the door)
Me- I love you.
Evan- (silence)
Derek- He said he loves you.
Evan- I did not! I didn't say anything!
Me- (thinking....ouch, that hurts.)
When he came home from school, I asked him two questions that had been eating at me all day long-
Me- Hey Ev, why is this coat a baby coat? It looks like a cool skater coat to me.
Evan- Because, Mom.....skater coats don't have hoods.
Me- Remember this morning when I told you I loved you? You didn't say anything back.
Evan- Oh yeah. I don't think I heard you. Love you, Mom.
Good to know, Good to know.
Post-Edit-Thanks to Lorie, for reminding me that Evan has always had a 'unique' sense of fashion. Here he is at age 2. Be sure to read what Auntie Lorie said on the comments page.
Thanks, little birdie, for reminding me that I should take pictures of people/objects other than my children.
Waffles, pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs & hash browns for dinner - Luke's pick!
Brothers to celebrate with.
Big brother helping little brother with his new I-pod from Dee, Papa, Mommy & Daddy.
Jack told me the other day that 'We're best fwiends 'cuz we bowf have gween eyes'....he makes a great best friend.
Luke had a very in-depth discussion with a chicken at the farm last week. Not sure what they talked about, but it was serious, and I noticed the chicken interrupted more than once.
Perfect mom with her perfect babes (Luke and Jack)
