I'll Love You Forever

Tonight, before Carter fell asleep next to me, he told me that he would love me even if I were dead or frozen. That is good to hear. He asked me about 30 minutes earlier if I would love him if he was frozen so I told him about the story of the mother who would crawl into her son's room and say "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm alive, my baby you'll be." He also asked me if being dead hurts. But then added, "you get to go to heaven and then get your glorified body, and come back with Jesus." He knows his stuff.
This sweet moment was actually uncharacteristic from the last few days. Christmas takes a toll on four year old boys who get to go toy shopping with Papa. When he left on this excursion, we were assured that he would be picking out one toy. Of course, this is my father we are talking about and he's, well, a soft touch, too. His intention was to get Carter a big firetruck he could ride on and that actually squirted water. Carter told him that he really just wanted a fire truck he could push around inside. Somewhere in this shopping spree, Carter said that he really had all he wanted for Christmas - "I love God and I have God in my heart." I'm sure that didn't hurt his prospects.
But these are the sweet, good things you want to remember. I don't want to remember his back-talking and stubborness that resulted in no less than 3 disciplinary actions before Christmas Dinner. As the day wore on, he seemed to calm down and be less overwhelmed. He was definitely more charming. Unfortunately, the bad attitude returned the next morning and has reappeared every day since. It gets so tiring to continually correct inappropriate behavior.
But tonight he was sweet and cuddly. Giggling and beautiful.
In stark contrast was his delightful little brother. Will was cute the whole time. He got irritable around bed time but every other minute, he was smiling and entertaining. He learned from his Papa about muscles. If you ask him to see his muscle, he will rub his belly. His Papa's corresponding muscle is much bigger. All in good time, grasshopper. He said new words like horse. And showed off how smart he is. He understands so much of what we are saying. You can tell him to do things and he does them! Of course, Carter can understand these words of direction but refuses to follow them. So I'm not sure if we are amazed that he understands or that he actually does what we ask. He toddles around the house, with his blond hair sticking up in the back and a happy, innocent smile illuminating his face. He's like his mama, though. He doesn't like to share his food. He, Carter, and I were all sharing an orange and he would get angry when Carter would take his part. It's hard to encourage him to share with happiness when you know how he's feeling. It was a good orange, dripping sweet.
We are bird sitting for some of our friends, and Will is fascinated by these tiny creatures. He points at them and smiles like they are preternatural beings. They chirp and get excited every so often and he is drawn to their cage. He utters raspy giggles and is delighted by them head to toe. We'll be sad to see them go home on Sunday. Of course, these are the best kind of pets - they get to go back home once their novelty has worn off.
Finally, as Carter's and Will's presents formed a Mount Everest in our living room, Carter said Christmas was his favorite day. I said "because you get all these fun toys?" "No," he answered "because it's all about God!" "Oh, of course" "And all the CANDY!" "Right."
Oh, and don't play this kid at Candyland. He cannot be beaten.