Hello My Beautifully Bunnies!
This post is horrifically overdue, as I write to you from the quiet room on the second floor of the Media government building, awaiting my fate as a potential juror. I stopped chronicling your growth and achievements simply because things became tough, which is certainly not the model I want to set for my sons. Jack has "super feelings," Alex has "super senses," hence support services and bouncing between preschools, moments of self doubt all around, and months of struggle.
But we persisted, more importantly, you both persisted and have amazed me with your resilience and perspective on these obstacles. Alex, yesterday we were sitting on the couch, and after watching some cartoon where one child teased another, I said, "You know, when I was little I was often teased for being fat. Buddy, know that some kids might tease you about your super senses..." Before I could finish the thought, you quipped, "Sometimes they do, but I know I'm still amazing." That brought me so much comfort, for as a mom you want to shape the world into a warm and friendly place for your children, and when they weighed down with extra obstacles, parental anxiety spikes... but I am learning the calmer I am, the happier you are, which seems like common sense... but that's the true lesson children are always imparting to their parents (return to common sense!)
Sunday was the Superbowl, and while neither of you quite understood the concept, you embraced the excitement. All the stores were out of Eagles gear, and your dad found a pop-up shop outside a closed Rita's Water Ice and spent $20 each on two coarsely made Tshirts with player name and numbers, but the joy in your faces made it all worth it! You proudly wore them to spirit day at school, and Alex came home to tell me "eagles like green," while Jack kept asking "what's a patriot?" When Alex and I went to Target pregame (where he expertly navigated the aisles while pushing the cart), he saw a large man in a jersey and said, "Look mom, an Eagle player!" making the heavyset, middle-aged man's day!
Craig hung a sheet across our front window, flipped the couch and used his projector to play the game on the enormous "screen." After pizza was finished, and you'd learned there would be no second serving of ice cream, your interest waned. After every play, you asked, "so they won?" "Did they win yet?" "Is it over?" Jack finally went up to bath, and when I told you the Eagles were down, you said, "don't worry, I believe in them, so they'll win." When you were tucked in bed, I found myself a superstitious, overwrought Eagles fan, terrified if they lost Jack would lose his faith in the universe! It seemed every time I sat down with your dad, things would go against them, so I read upstairs, semi-convinced my not watching ensured their victory (which they of course, obtained)!
And now I must relinquish my prime spot in the quiet room to find out if my teaching post excuses me from jury duty... So much more I want to share... How Alex's friendship with A. brought us close to a wonderful family, how Jack is in a torrid love triangle between classmates O. and R., but that will have to wait for another day.
I love you both madly, and while you challenge me daily, more importantly, you amaze me!
