Andrew and Gregory

I thought I'd post something tonight because I got to hang out with Andrew and Gregory (Abigail is in Tyler). I appreciate the time I get to spend with them, but sometimes I look on it as baby-sitting (which I love). Other times, like tonight, I really let it soak in that I am getting to spend precious moments with two incredible boys and appreciate them for the great age they are experiencing (Gregory is 8 and Andrew is 6).

Gregory is growing up so fast. I talked to him tonight about how he and I used to sit on the floor and make weird noises at each other before he could talk. He thought that was funny. He loves Boone and Sawyer and always has and when I asked him what his plans are for the summer, he said "I'm getting a dog the first day." For someone who started life so small (born at 28 weeks at barely 2 lbs.) he's the toughest kid I know. He will always be tall and lanky, but that kid can take a punch better than anyone (don't worry, its other kids hitting him - not me). He takes everything in stride and as long as I've known him - I've only seen him cry a few times. He's not holding it in - he's just got his mom's ability to roll with the punches. Luckily for me, he still lets me hug on him a little, and I really appreciate those sweet moments because I know they're quickly fading.

Andrew is...Andrew. This kid cracks me up. He taught himself to read before he started kindergarten, and instead of a coloring book he asked for a math workbook and we catch him doing problems all the time just for fun. He is obsessed with ocean life - particularly whales. When I asked him about his summer plans, he wants to go to Sea World summer camp and feed the dolphins. He told me that they teach you about the animals and then let you play with them and he'll even get to sleep there. He has hatched a grand scheme to stay awake until everyone else falls asleep and then explore the place and hang out with the animals all by himself. My mom ordered him a subscription to National Geographic for Kids (which he calls something like Nachnal Gerograckic) but don't let the mispronunciation fool you - the kid knows more about sea life than I know about almost anything. He's been bugging his parents to check the mailbox everyday so my mom made a wise purchase for him (Gregory got Sports Illustrated for Kids and Abigail got Turtle). AJ is the more dramatic of the two boys and is definitely tender hearted.

Anyway, I was sitting on the couch timing how long Gregory could surf on the couch cushions and patting Andrew as a puppy on the head and I just took the time to really savor the moment. How neat to get to hear how excited a kid is about life. No, they are not perfect, I had to use the old standby "Gregory, I've asked you to stop hitting your brother, and now I'm telling you to stop hitting him" but I really love these kids. Abigail has spent a couple of night with us recently so hopefully soon I'll post some of her hilarious antics.

I'll conclude this post with words from Andrew. He wanted to type on my computer and when he fell asleep I found the following in a Word Document. I left the spelling and grammar intact...

ORCAS
Orcas are dolphins.orcas can all most eat everything.orcas snack on lots of stuf.

...not bad for a kid in kindergarten.