Sibling Love at the Park

Yesterday we were supposed to meet Collin's class at a nearby park for his school field trip, but it rained out.  Maya and I hit the indoor playscape in the mall while his field trip was shortened to a trip to the library.  While at the mall play area, a bigger boy knocked Maya over with a soft inflatable swinging thing, and I was telling Collin about it when I picked him up, mostly how Maya was too young for some of the areas but he would have enjoyed them.  Collin's reaction was that he would have protected his little sister and he would have told that boy to be careful, she's just a baby.  And hours later when I put him to bed, his low for the day was that she got knocked over (she was fine by the way, we were both just shocked).  It is such a joy to watch him as a loving big brother.

I heard it was supposed to be a rainy Saturday, so when it was just overcast when we woke up, I was determined to hit the park before we were stuck inside the rest of the day.  The kids had energy to burn and I needed some fresh air.  We've come off a week of colds, fevers, and Maya's first ear infection, so we've been cooped up and cranky too long.

Collin, the first to have a fever and the first to recover, showing he was up to full speed as he raced down the hill -

Following after her big brother -

She doesn't need music to bust a move, dancing while Collin hit the water fountain -

Silly boy -

Typical Collin, my stick collector.  At the park, he decided we were fighting the Ninja Turtles.  I got to be April O'Neal, but Maya was Crang, and Collin was Shredder.  Which was great when he'd call his little sister "Crang" across the park.  

She didn't mind answering to a villain's name as long as she was swinging -

Oh my sweet girl, with a scrape, mosquito bite and snot on her lovely face -

Captured in a photo trying to outrun the camera -

This boy - I really don't think Maya could ask for a better big brother.  I'm not sure when they learn to take turns, but right now we're trying to focus on Maya using words, so we make her attempt to say what she wants, and even if Collin is legitimately playing with it, we have him hand it over.  And he does.  He shares and encourages her so well.  Of course, he gets a lot of praise for what a wonderful big brother he is to her.

After the park, I let Collin watch Sesame Street while I clipped his nails.  (My kids have some genetic discomfort with nail clipping passed down from Cas, so we either distract them or encourage yoga/lamaze breathing!)  Anyway, Maya climbed up in his lap and he could barely see the show, she just hugged him for 15 minutes.  

When he's upset, she comes over and gives him a hug.  They genuinely love one another which is just grace.

When we're on car rides, Collin constantly hands her toys and sings her songs.  Poor girl, her nerdy mom still has her car seat back-facing, so he does his best to keep her happy.   Quite often, if Cas or I try to sing, Maya shuts us down with a "no" but Collin is allowed - even when the Wheels on the Bus is taken over by ninjas and destroying dinosaurs ("the dinosaurs on the bus say break the bus, break the bus, break the bus"), she is content as long as it's Collin who is singing!

I have a feeling I'll be forcing them to read this blog post when they're 10 and 7 and driving us crazy with typical sibling arguing, but right now, I'm so thankful for their sweetness and love towards one another!