Too little to be that big

This morning at 4:30 Quintus left for the weekend with is amazing Uncle Michael.  Last year Quintus and Jason went with Michael on what they called a “Men’s weekend” to my brother in Louis Trichardt.  This weekend would have been the same thing, however Jason opted to stay and go to his friend’s birthday party.

This morning as I woke up Quintus, his body so warm from sleep and the extra heat he gets from sleeping right next to his brother, he seemed so small.  So small to do this…just him.  No Jason.

Even though Quintus and Jason fights like any two brothers, they are extremely close.  Don’t go to sleep without the other.  When they buy sweets at the school tuck shop, they will keep some for the other.  When they can they bring something back from parties they go to.  Pretty much a unit.

The night Jason decided to rather stay, Quintus cried.  He didn’t want to leave Jason behind.  He would miss him too much. 

This morning, after getting dressed and telling me a million times to tell Jason he says goodbye and he is going to miss him, he walked into their room and kissed his sleeping brother good-bye.

That’s a moment I don’t want to forget.  True, honest emotion.

 

Aaaawwwesome

* To protect the parties from embarrassment, no names will be mentioned

Brother 1 in the bath.  The other has woken up a mere second or two ago and getting undressed.

Brother 1 visibly impressed and not shy to stare: “WOW Boetie!”

Other brother still not really awake and not giving much attention, climbs into the bath.

Brother 1 takes a closer look, sits back in the bath and says: ”Awesome!“

 

Tell me!

I’m in my study, working.  Trying to push more hours into my 24 hour day. (If you have some to spare, please send them my way)

I hear the boys getting a tad upset with each other and then full-blown aggression explodes.  I immediately summons them to the study.  I don’t mind bickering but aggression is not acceptable and I try to stop it as soon as it starts.

I was not happy with what I heard and sent Quintus to the bathroom….time-out place in our home.  I let him calm down before I walk and demand answers.  I wanted to know why he acted the way he did.  He didn’t answer and I asked again, get agitated.

He looks at me.  He looks away.  Looks at me.  Away.  Clearly trying to think of a way out of this.  He realizes that he cannot stall this any longer and answers with:

“Nope.  I have nothing“

I completely burst out laughing.   Nothing like a sense of humor to diffuse a situation!

 

Money

The boys want to buy a certain toy and are planning a zillion different ways to make money.  One is to buy and sell sweets. 

Okay great.  Where will they get the original lay-out of capital from?  Mom of course.  They will work in the house to get enough to make their first purchases.

Good.  No problem.  Then comes the:

“If I make up my bed how much do I get?”  - “Nothing.  You HAVE to do that”

“If I pick up the clothes do I get paid?” - “No.  You HAVE to do that”

“Can I wash the floor, walls, bath, dog, feet, TV, carpets, desk, chairs, Zander (trust me the list was endless)?” - YES!!!  Just go!

“Okay, what can we do now?”  “Now?”  “And now?”  “How much do we get if we do that?”  “How much do we get for this?”

Never ending.  What?  How much?  More? 

I walk into the kitchen and they are washing my kitchen floor with my dishcloth!!!!

Oh word.  Would it be wrong if I payed them to do nothing!?