Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Not. One.

Tantrum.

All.

Day.

Yesterday.

Well, we had the usual kind of three-year-old stuff, but that's it.  Seth A. woke up cheerful, and he stayed that way.  The whole day.  The whole day.  I'm still in a bit of shock about it.  It was our best day yet, by about a hundred kilometres.  It was hectic and a little crazy around here at times, but I had a glimpse into what our family's future might be like:  great!

Even better for me:  my two boys played together.  They actually played together...quite a lot.  Other than a couple of short stints wrestling and pillow-fighting last week, they really didn't get along well last week.  Yesterday morning, before the day started, I prayed about this very thing.  When we got a sibling referral where we had a boy and a girl, and where the boy wasn't much younger than Matthew, it was a total answer to prayer.  Despite their size difference, Matthew and Seth are only seventeen months apart, and I have so wanted them to be friends.  I knew  it would take time, and the working through of competitive spirits, but yesterday I caught just a glimpse of what it might be like some day.  They laughed together, played pranks on each other, kicked soccer balls around together, took turns falling out of their beds together (pretending to be mortally injured each time) and chased each other around while trying not to fall down from laughing.

Oh, and then there was their favourite activity (which, yes, I allowed).  I pushed Lizzie in the bumble bee swing...


...while Matthew pumped himself on the swing beside her.



Seth kicked the soccer ball underneath where the other two kids were swinging and then, with quick darting movements (man, that boy has quick reflexes!), he wove his way under/around/through the moving swingers to collect his ball...only to do it all over again.  About thirty times.  Can you see the focus and determination in his eyes, in the picture below?


He never once got hit by flying feet or bodies - much to my relief, otherwise I'd make 'bad parent of the day award' and this post might read somewhat differently.  I know it was a bit reckless to let him do this, but really and truly, that boy is quick - and he knew exactly what he was doing.  He just swerved and ducked his way around the other kids...and they all laughed.




And then, given the general state of cheeriness of the kids, I got my first picture of the three of them together and happy.  Aren't they a happy-looking bunch?


Anyway, that was my day yesterday.  It was a day that I hope is replicated soon (maybe even today??), because it was a really, really good day. 

15 comments:

  1. Oh! YAY! What a gift! I was so happy for you all when I read this..and what great pics! And that last one of the three of them,,,,perfect!

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  2. There is nothing as beautiful as seeing ones children laughing and having fun together.So glad that you had a good day! :)

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  3. Glad to hear you had such a good, happy day. Those days will make the not so good ones bearable. Your 3 children are beautiful! Its great to see them all smiling.

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  4. Yay!! Celebrate this steps - they are so motivating and wonderful.

    Think of you guys A LOT!
    Michelle

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  5. Hi!
    I'm a faithful follower of your blog (I laugh, I cry). I don't ever comment, but I just wanted to tell you how happy I am for you and your family.
    So excited things went well for you today!
    Becka

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  6. They are beautiful... and look so happy! Hoping more days like this are around the corner for you Ruth!

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  7. Hooray! (And what a beautiful, frame-able photo of all three to boot).

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  8. Oh Ruth! This makes my heart so happy!!!!!!!!

    What a gorgeous picture of your children together!

    Claire

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  9. Yay!

    Even with the not-so-good (terrible) days, it sounds like they are doing great - in touch with the difficulty of the situation, but also experiencing the positive stuff. I bet you have many more good days to come!

    Love the bumblebee swing!

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  10. And those good days will soon outnumber the not so good days! The following post about the handstand incident/slugging, um, that will continue. That is what boys do. Good luck! I'm thinking the same with the chapstick...
    ~Liesl

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  11. Oh Ruth, I'm so happy that you had a good day! I really am awed by the magnitude of what you are going through right now. I know I can't truly understand it at all, but I love reading of you adventures and feeling joy with you when there is a breakthrough, like this happy day you all had. God bless you all as you continue to meld together as a family.

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  12. I just read Leisl's post and had to chuckle. I would imagine the chapstick incident will occur many times over. Watch out for the mascara, sunscreen, shampoo, lipstick, etc. smeared with much care and deliberation all over her body as well!!! :)

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