Sweet Sibling Moments

As of today, February 24, 2010, I can honestly say that my kids, in general, get along pretty well. (You never know what kind of demons will overtake them tomorrow.) They are usually pretty kind to one another and actually, sometimes, go out of their way to make their brother or sister happy. They fight, of course, and tattle and whine, but today, instead of focusing on those moments, I decided to highlight a few of the compassionate actions that happen around here.

Reese can swing by herself. Rhett cannot. I was probably laying on the couch, eating chips and watching Judge Judy, so I couldn't help the poor boy. Luckily, he has a big sister around to grab the rope and bring him along with her.

See that sweet face? That picture was taken shortly after she did something that I never wanted to forget. I've already forgotten what started the initial conversation, I just know that Avery wanted something that she can't afford. There was a lot of explaining about college educations and jobs, but it wasn't sinking in. Just when I was about to throw up my hands and tell Avery she wasn't allowed to say the words "not fair" or "money" for the rest of the night, Reese marched into the kitchen and plunked this on the counter.

She said "Here you go, Avery. Now you can buy whatever you want." That sweet angel had gone into her room, emptied her piggy bank and was prepared to hand over every dime she had to her name. It wasn't enough to buy whatever it was that Avery wanted, but I still thought it was just about the sweetest gesture ever.

Ok, I don't know that this has anything to do with anyone doing something nice for anyone else, but I love watching them play together. I guess you could say that Rhett was very kind and patient while Reese played "Beauty Shop" with him. He's being a good sport, which is, in my opinion, the best way for a little brother to show his love.

I realized as I went through pictures, that I don't have any recent pictures of Avery doing something sweet for her siblings. It also made me realize how much I take her everyday sweetness for granted. I don't take pictures of her getting Rhett a sippy cup of milk, or of helping Reese put on her jacket. I never stop and make a big deal out of her choosing to watch Fairytopia, because Reese loves it, instead of her much-preferred Batman cartoons. She cuddles Rhett when he's sad and sticks up for both of them when she thinks I'm being too hard on them, or not listening to them. She, in my opinion, is one big reason why Reese and Rhett are sweet and kind. I think she sets the tone of how they all get along and for the most part, that tone is one of joyful, funny, sweet kindness.

Since I didn't have any pictures of the wonderful things she does for Reese and Rhett, I thought I'd share a tiny glimpse of her six and a half year old self:

Every night, when I put the girls to bed, I lay with them and chat. They are never ready to go to sleep when I'm ready to leave the room, so I tell them I'm going to get ready for bed and then come back and check. They are almost always asleep by the time I get back to their room. One day, Avery complained that she felt lonely when she woke up without seeing me one more time, and how was she supposed to know that I came back? She wanted me to wake her, I knew that wasn't ever going to happen, so we compromised. I started leaving them a note. So, if they fall asleep before I come back, this is what they see on the floor next to their bed.

They love it. I don't know what it is about the eye and the heart that makes "I love you" seem so special, but Avery goes nuts over it. In fact, I just found a note in her school notebook that I had put in her lunch box. It was an index card with the same message. I always leave notes in her lunch, but that's the only one she has kept. I asked her why she kept it and she said "It's because I know you love me, even when I'm at school." Say it with me: Awwwww.

That's not all....a couple of weeks ago, when I went into their room, she wasn't asleep. She was crying and didn't want to be in her bed. I rubbed her back and left again. A few minutes later, she came in my room, begging to sleep with me. I said no and told her to go back to bed. Never one to give up so easily, she came back, crying harder and begging louder. I was tired and irritated and I told her that if she got up again, she would be in big trouble. I didn't hear from her again. But when I woke up the next morning, this was on the floor by my bed:

When she got up, I asked her what this was all about, even though I already knew and had shed a tear over it earlier that morning. She said "Well, I felt lonely in my room and I didn't want you to be upset with me. I came back in just to hug you and you were sleeping, so I went and got my diary and made you a picture like you make me when I'm sleeping."

How's that for setting a tone of sweetness?

P.S. I am aware that I used the word 'sweet' in this post so often, you may feel a bit nauseous, but I don't know any other word to describe the sweet moments that my sweet babies show me from time to time. Have a sweet day!