transitioning to summer

this week we went from rainy and cold to hot and humid. summer always seems to sneak up on us like that in PA. Christian had his last day of school at Good Sam. I think it was more of a milestone in my mind than his. he gave his teachers big hugs, but had no sadness in walking away. i suppose that's a good thing. i also suppose he doesn't have a frame of reference for 'last day of anything'. it was such a great year for him with such positive experiences, learning to be more independant, love structure, and grow socially and emotionally. he is continually amazing us (still) with his memory and capacity to retain information, and his appreciation and affinity for language. we had the plumber in this week and when i told him he was coming, he said, "oh, george smiley?"
yes. that is his name. and no, he hasn't been here in months.
dave said yesterday c hurt himself outside (they were spreading mulch together with their father/son work gloves they got for xmas :) ) and told dave that it was really "hurtiful".
we went to isaac's 1st bday party and C was fascinated with the treadmill in their basement (riding and sliding on it). he kept saying, "i really love that conveyor belt!"
Both boys have had runny noses all week, and to our surprise, Kyren now knows how to blow his nose. How did i get so lucky as to have TWO boys who learned how to do that early on?? it's a beautiful thing. one of those things you would never in a million years predict you'd get excited about someday. but it really was one of the highlights of the week for me! i was so proud of him :). ... and then so sad for him when thursday night he was up screaming for hours with an ear infection. poor baby. he is such a trooper. ......... and so incredibly cute!!! this morning he dragged his blankie around the house, playing with it, lying on it, using it as a little 'magic carpet', and scooching himself along the floor on it. giddily laughing to himself all the way!
he and C have a grand ol' time when they eat together in their high chairs, side-by-side, 3 meals a day. K tries to grab C's feet, and they scream and laugh and carry on. it is hilarious. i am starting to see more and more how much fun they are going to have together, being so close in age. K just adores C, and follows him around like a puppy. C is learning (slowly) how to share and be patient with someone who has no understanding of boundaries. when he's not screeching at the top of his lungs at him, or pushing him out of the way, he can often be found chasing him down the hall, hugging him (sometimes a little too hard), and delighting in entertaining his little bro. i find it fascinating, and a bit unsettling as their primary caregiver, how much they both love to wrestle.
Kyren is now signing please, and thank you. and understanding everything we tell him to do. He's still taking 2 naps a day, sometimes needing to go back to bed before 9, other days not til 10 or 11.
We are excited about summer-- swimming, the beach, the lake, the longer days, and all the fun in the sun to be had as a family and with good friends. my only fear is that kyren has NO fear... about anything. especially water. he loves it, in all forms, and it will be fun as well as scary to see how he does at the pool...
mandatory life jackets are in our near future, i believe.