C-A-T-S

My title has nothing to do with Carter and Will. I just returned from an exciting basketball game where the Cats beat the #3 Vols. It was a beautiful thing to behold and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's the first time in years that I didn't wear blue. I wore black. My cousin wore black. We joked about going to a funeral. In fact, at some point when I thought it was out of reach, I said "if we win this game, I'll come to the rest of the games in head to toe black." Let that be a lesson to you! Be careful what you say. But, really, I'd rather be wearing black to all the rest of the games than lose to Tennessee. I really want to call one of our friends, a UT alum and just say, "loser." But we should move on to all the kids.
Carter asked me today what I’d like for my birthday. I told him that I really just wanted a bunch of hugs and kisses. He was quiet for a moment and I thought he was disappointed with my answer. Then, he said “I know you want a bunch of hugs and kisses but I just don’t know how to wrap them.”
As we sat down to supper, Carter told me he wanted me to get my hair all cut off like a boy. I reacted dramatically which he loved and then I protested "but I'm a girl!" He cut me off and informed me "You can wear lipstick to look like a girl but have short hair like the boys!"
As supper drew to a close, Will was released from his high chair prison and allowed to climb up into my lap. After a few moments of pleasant conversation, or what Nathan calls ‘enjoying the family”, Will grabbed my fork and proceeded to make three indentations on our Pottery Barn table. I wasn’t too upset because this table has plenty of marks on it already. Nathan, however, was upset and I agreed that he needs to understand that waving a sharp object around and striking it onto any surface is not appropriate. At least not when you’re 5 days short of 18 months old. Some day he may be a lumber jack and these rules can then go up for review. Nathan smacked Will’s hand and it really wasn’t even hard. Still, Will’s face slowly clouded up and crying followed. Carter, who is probably going to get Brother of the Year said “Will, he didn’t do that because we don’t love you. We love you very much. We just need to teach you not to do bad things.” Will was still on my lap and Carter came over to my side and started rubbing Will’s head and reiterated his point, “We love you so much, Will.” I told Carter that he was such a good big brother and that he was going to be a good teacher for his little brother. At this point, Nathan must have felt badly because he commented, “I guess no one is going to notice those marks on the table.” Probably not. But every time I see them, I’ll remember the reason Carter's words.
Before Katie and I left for the game. Will sat down right next to her and worked his magic on her. She sat down right on the floor with Carter. Will got as close as he could to her and would just look up at her and smile the sweetest smile you've ever seen. Hook. Line. Sinker.
Since I’m an only chid, I asked Carter “What’s it like to have a little brother?” He smiled and said “It’s like games and playing and candy.” I never thought it would be _that_ good. No wonder he wants two more. His hints have at least become more subtle. As we watched a tv commercial this afternoon, Carter commented that they needed a van because they have 4 kids! I laughed and ‘reminded’ him “that’s what you want! FOUR kids!” He just giggled. Gotta go pray! (and get my heart back to a regular beating pattern after that game!)