Boys or Monkeys???

Eight years ago, I had a little blond boy that I loved with all my heart. He loved fishes, trucks, and putting his food on the top of his head. And he climbed...and climbed...and climbed.

I remember one night when I was in the kitchen making dinner and he was toddling around me. I heard the tinkling of the piano keys in the front room. He would often wander in by the piano, reach up, and plunk the keys (the twins do this on a regular basis - they can't see the keys, but they love to hear the sound). I wasn't worried. I knew where he was based on the sound. After a few minutes, I wandered in to check on him. He was on top of the piano. Apparently, the piano keys were being played by his feet as he navigated his way to the top.

Then, I had two girls. I love them with all my heart. These girls were born with independent minds and a little fire in their soul, but they kept their feet on the ground.

Then, I had two little blond boys (who look amazingly similar to the first). I love each one of them with all my heart. They love the dishwasher, splashing in the bathtub, and oatmeal. And they climb...and they climb...and they climb.

Exhibit #1: The Step Stool

Exhibit #2: The Bunk Bed Ladder


Three observation from looking at these pictures:

1. Those prayers for safety that we say every morning evening are not trite repetitions. They are the pleadings of a mother's heart. And every evening, when I kneel down with gratitude in my heart for another day of safety, I mean it with every inch of my being.
2. Digital cameras have come a LONG way in a few short years.
3. Spencer scrunches up his nose just like me when he smiles really big. I wonder if he'll hate his prom picture as much as I do because of the scrunched nose.