Between Brothers

Recently I was talking to a fellow mom, and I mentioned a fight between Jacob and Alex.
Surprised, she said, "Oh, do they fight? They always seem so sweet!"

And they are sweet. Very sweet. (News flash: Little girls aren't the only ones made of sugar and spice.)

But it's not always giggles, hugs, sweetness, smiles, and sugar around here.


Of course they fight.


They are brothers, after all!

So that means sometimes they scream at each other.
Or hit.
Or snatch toys out of the other's hand.
Or argue about sharing and taking turns.
Or need space from each other, and play on their own.
Or get upset when his brother isn't "playing the right way."
Or threaten, "I'm not going to play with you ever again!"
Or like today, get into a serious dispute over whether Jacob was an actual dog, and not just pretending to be one. (Yes, this was an actual argument.)

But they always find their way back to each other. And then I get to hear things like:

"I have fun with you, Alex."

and

"Jacob is the biggest brother. And I love him."

and

"Great job, Alex!"

and

"Thank you, Bo."

When I don't have to break up fights, I get to witness boys who love to laugh and be silly together, play cars, dress up in costumes, play action figures, draw, wrestle, and run around outside (and inside).

When they aren't fighting, they're perfect playmates and best buds.

And fellow computer nerds,



Lego maniacs,


collaborative artists,


and rock band members.


(This band has been around for quite a while, actually.)



And sometimes I walk into a room, and must quickly grab a camera to capture a moment between two brothers just hanging out together...just because they wanted to.


This is how it's always been between them.


And I hope how it always will be.

I came across a quote once that read, "Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero." (Marc Brown)


Then it must be pretty awesome to be both!


I hope all 3 of my boys will always cherish their brothers and their childhoods spent together. And I hope they will continue to be wonderful friends into adulthood and throughout their lives.


Although I do expect them to spend less time hanging out in only underwear when they're older.