oh the cleverness of boys

  Life does not come at you softly when your house is invaded by young boys. They eat and they grow and eat and grow, and with all that eating and growing their brains develop into something magnificent.  It is said that children learn more in their first five years than their entire life. I believe it. And both my boys will tell you EVERYTHING their little minds have soaked up.
   Dallas had his first swim lesson yesterday. He screamed and clung to me (with his life might I add) for all but the last five minutes. I was feeling discouraged this lesson was such a waste, but in those last five minutes he showed me every single thing demonstrated in that entire class. (what the...???) He jumped, he kicked, he monkey crawled, he retrieved those blasted rings. He even helped clean up all of the toys to make-up his perfectly rude behavior. "Thank you"s were said, and he took that car sticker with pride. In the dressing room he kept saying "jump!". We practiced that some more, and as we showered ourselves off I had one of those moments. My baby was learning and growing and there was nothing in the world I could do about it. We were both proud of that one.
  Will is a little too smart for his own good. He knows how to sass like a 13 year old, and I suppose I am really the only person to blame for that. (so sorry for all those teen years mom!!!) He is also really great at saying all the right things....even if there are motives. I was getting dressed the other day. I had a hot, steamy shower going and my door was locked to keep little curious intruders out. And then my shower door slides open. Two big blue eyes peeked in, and I told him to scat! Later I asked him if he unlocked my door, and "how the...did you do that!?" His look of uncertainty turned into a look of accomplishment as he told me, "with a coin!!" It was a proud/slightly concerned moment. But I love that kid. And I also love that my husband knows how to switch out a door lock.

 ***I have been so extremely grateful for EVERY SINGLE submission for The Motherhood Project. I realize I did not think this through well enough. I really don't know how to choose, since this isn't a competition. I have been so inspired by each of you mothers and will have to draw names out of a hat. Reading these has touched my life for the better so please keep sending them!!! Also, I moved the deadline to Monday for those who would like the weekend to get their submission in.

 More info HERE
...and I love you guys!