[/caption]When I was a youngster, one of my all time favorite books was Big Dog, Little Dog by PD Eastman. It was all about 2 dogs who lived together and were exact opposites. One dog liked fast cars, the other dog like slow. One dog played the flute, the other the tuba. One dog liked red, the other green. I often feel as this favored childhood book has come to life, as if I am living with Big Dog, Little Dog in my house right now. (My favorite line in the entire book is, "Why make big problems out of little problems?" How profound is that? I liken it to using my "easy" button, but that is another blog all together...)
[caption id="attachment_566" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Ben excited, Ellie thoughtful"]
[/caption]The differences between my children are tremendous. As I have mentioned before, I have the great honor and sometimes the great challenge of figuring out how to parent two such unique little people. Ellie likes quiet. Ben likes loud. Ellie likes sitting and talking. Ben likes running and spinning. Ellie likes orange and yellow, Ben likes green and blue. Ellie likes Madonna, Ben prefers the song Now Now Now repeated over over over over over over. Ellie likes one thing to eat, Ben likes twenty. Ellie hates the hospital, Ben loves the excitement he finds there. Ellie hates the rain, Ben loves the puddles. Ellie likes day clothes, Ben likes night clothes. The only thing with which they can agree is that I am in fact "the best mom in the whole wide world."
[caption id="attachment_620" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Ben loves the subway train, Ellie not so much"]
[/caption]The other day, Thom took Ben to his Leap Frog Gym class. Thom said there was a little girl there whom Ben decided needed his attention. He sat down really close to her. She protested. He sat even closer. She got up. He got up. She ran. He ran. Thom said it was fascinating because Ben found the little girl in class who would treat him exactly like Ellie treats him. It got me to wondering how often I choose situations and people based on what I learned at a very young age (I mean, he's THREE for crying out loud!) Am I picking friends based on how my siblings and I treated one another? Just because it feels comfortable? And is that what I want my choices to be based on, what I am used to? I'm not trying to make a big problem out of a little problem, just wondering, just curious.
Ultimately, the most excellent thing about getting to parent Ben & Ellie and their differences is that I get to experience being a parent of such two amazingly different children. On some days it stretches me to the point of breaking, on other days it adds to the flavor and excitement of the moment.
Hey! The first book I learned to read was Go Dog Go by PD Eastman! I had never heard of Big Dog Little Dog. I must get that book!
ReplyDeleteEllie and Ben sure keep your brain sharp, you best mom in the whole wide world, you!
I think you choose your friends because of their incredibly fantastic personalities, talents, sharp wit, fashion sense, and good looks. It's true in your choice of me as a friend anyway.
I totally agree that my friends, as well as my siblings are super fantastic terrific, didn't mean to imply otherwise. I guess my point was that after the gym incident w/ Ben, I began to ponder how many of my decisions are based on comfort from things that have happened in the past rather than a conscious choice about what I want my life like right now. Thank you for keeping my brain sharp too in writing this blog!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh! i know, my dear. i was just being silly. Me make joke. Hahaha. Ha. Ho. Maybe not that funny. Some things work better in person.
ReplyDeleteDon't you hate it when someone doesn't get your joke and then you feel you have to explain, thus ruining the funniness factor all together? I did think your comment was a good one though in reminding me what wonderful siblings and friends I do have.
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