There are five years between Gavin and Benett. For the longest time, Gavin wanted his little brother to play with him... He was so excited that he had a hard time understanding why, as an infant, Benett didn't want to play. It didn't stop Gavin, who became great about playing in a way that Benett could understand. Whether it was stacking blocks with the baby who just loved to knock them over, or introducing an older Benett to the wonderful world of Hot Wheels, being 'big brother' is serious business.
As Gavin is growing up, that role is changing. It's still important to Gavin to be a "good" big brother, but if you asked him what that means, I'm sure the answer would be very different than just last year.
These days Gavin's version of play is colored with a competitive shade of gray. He wants to play with Benett, but he wants to do it on his own ever changing terms... and prevail. To and eight year old boy, it seems there is nothing better than winning... It's a game has the potential to frustrate everyone but the architect.
So they argue. Monte and I interject... try to redirect... try to suggest... try to let them sort out some of their differences on their own; letting the little boy code of justice prevail. Those days have a tendency to be long... with a whole lot of parenting going on. It's exhausting for everyone involved.
Not every day is like that and when they're working together, when those two chefs are preparing their culinary masterpiece as a team, those days are so much fun for the boys. And a joy for Monte and me.
I know it's just a phase... and that this too will end. I'll even wager a guess and say that in the not-too-distant future, I'll look back on this time fondly and wonder how it changed so fast. Until then, we'll take what we can get from the chefs... knowing that many times the result will be more akin to a TV dinner than a gourmet meal.
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