It's almost spring and love is in the air...

Today was one of those days where I literally watched the clock from about 1830 on, just waiting and wishing for bedtime. After Ava paddled Eli for whacking her upside the head, I decided that bedtime was coming early tonight. It never ceases to amaze me how fast they can go from best buddies to sparring partners! When Eli is napping, Ava wonders around the house lost, asking every five minutes if she can go wake him up. Eli "whines and pines" for Ava while she is at school. They are each other's best friend. When they play with other children, Ava follows Eli like a shadow and refuses to play with anyone that won't include her brother in the game. Eli happily goes along with anything Ava wants to do. Eli has even become quite the nurturer under Ava's strict guidance. Eli often drags me into the corner of the dining room and proudly shows me all of the baby dolls, dinosaurs, tractors, and toy cars lined up, noses to the wall in time out.
I am not sure which kid thought that the bear and dinosaur needed to "spoon" in our bed, but it was a nice reminder of why raising children is such a joy. This is the good stuff that keeps us parents going when we catch the kids launching themselves (often unsuccessfully) over the "pet" vacuum cleaner. It now makes funny noises...