Her role model happens to be crazy...

Finley has recently started copying everything Oliver Jack does. From sword fighting to playing in the baby pool in their pjs, Finley does whatever he does. Oliver Jack has an inability to wear any clothes besides cozy clothes. He always strips down the minute we are inside the house and puts on tank tops and shorts sans underpants. So recently Finley has decided she is also going to refuse to wear clothes. Oliver Jack collaborated on her efforts by providing a tank top and helping to remove her shoes.
I'm not sure the world (or better yet me) can handle 2 Oliver Jacks.

He always redeems himself...

Oliver Jack: "I will miss you while I sleep... Momma, you can miss people when you are at home too"

Well spoken child...

As I finished lunch today I said, "I enjoyed my soup."
Oliver Jack responded, "I enjoyed my soup as well."

I pretended like it was to be expected from all 3 year olds because most of what I find delightful he finds a way to avoid :)

Thanks for keeping me humble (a conversation with Oliver jack)...

O: STOP
M: (dancing) why?!?
O: cause your just mommy!
M: why can't I be an awesome dancer and a mommy?
O: cause you're not awesome.

what we do when everyone 5 & up is out of the house...

our days in my favorite pictures from my phone:

while harper's away...

without question, the biggest influence on oliver jack's behavior has been calvary. it makes me smile to watch him emulate the small things that his big brother does and it makes me cringe as i watch oliver jack throw fake tantrums in order to model those of calvary. even though oliver jack is bound to take away some bad habits from his model, i couldn't think of a better person to watch. calvary is one of the most generous people i have ever known. he loves with everything inside of him and he wants nothing more than to include everyone. he thinks of others when they are not around. he misses harper when she is at school and throughout the day says, "i miss my sister" or "i love my sister". he's a protector. if thinks a person is not exacting the kind of care they should around his baby brother, he steps in to inform. he's thoughtful. the other night we were playing putt-putt on the wii and kyle asked calvary which course he wanted to play and calvary said, "i want to do the fairy land one because that is the one harper wanted to do". he does this without wanting attention or recognition. he is all emotion. he gets his feelings hurt easily because he cares so much. i would even say that the cliche of the heart on the sleeve fits calvary perfectly. most of the time he is happy to let harper lead, but i do not worry about his ability to stand up for himself because harper has been well informed of calvary's independent side on many occasions. as much as i miss harper while she is at school, i cherish the qualities that i have watch develop between and among these two boys. calvary steps up and patiently (most of the time) leads oliver jack. he is a big brother to his little brother and i am so proud of both.