Dance of the Anoles

A few days ago when the kids were taking a rare nap, I sat on the back patio and watched 2 anoles (small lizards) dance around each other for about 10 minutes. I don't know if they were preparing to fight or get amorous. There was lots of bravado - funny little push ups, bulging red necks, charging each other and backing off then running together and jumping over each other.

This is not unlike what is going on with Hung and Lily. They are so close in age that the addition of Hung to our household has been the best and the worst for Lily. Hung was never taught to share or take turns. He also does not like a girl having something he doesn't have or doing something better than him. He must have lived in a very male dominated household.

Maybe you have seen my favorite bumper sticker, "Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History." Kind of Lily's motto. Actually she is very well behaved but she stands up for herself. She is smaller than all the kids in her class by several inches but she is mighty in personality. She isn't taking anything from anyone, including Hung who has an equally strong personality. It has been interesting to watch their interactions. She will share, he refuses to give it back, she yells, he mimics her and laughs, she gets angrier and shouts, he shouts....this goes on and on with periodic intervention from Mom. They have not come to blows nor do I think they will. At night, when its bed time, they are thick as thieves, laughing and giggling, wanting to go to sleep in the same room if not the same bed. They do all the stalling tactics together - we need a drink, we need a hug, we need to eat, we need a book, etc... They were really cut from the same cloth. God knew what he was doing planning for them to be siblings.

The last few days we have just been spending time together. Hung went to the pediatrician and took 5 shots without so much as a whimper. He figured out the audio test very quickly. The doctor pronounced him very well with the exception of his teeth. Off to the dentist on Monday. Hung is getting used to the beach. Loves to dig, not so keen about the waves and is afraid of shells. Today we went to a local attraction - Sunken Gardens where the kids and I walked through beautiful lush gardens and they had a ball feeding the koi in several ponds. We also played with the Spotts kids are who are very close in age. We did the smart thing and met at the park so there wouldn't be a toy fight. Hung was all smiles with his new friend Jacob and Lily is always happy to be with Maddy. Hung lives for big brother to get off the bus in the afternoon. He loves to swim or play ball with Marshall. Marshall has been really patient and has made and effort to make sure Lily is included.

We continue to marvel at God's grace and how very fortunate we are to have Hung home.