Siblings- Your First Friends

Dear Carter, Belle, & Ava, Last night your dad and I were "organizing" (I use that word very loosely, it was more like shuffling clutter) the basement. It was close to bedtime so we sent you upstairs to clean up toys. A few minutes later I came upstairs to check on your progress. I looked in the living room, hadn't been touched. There was a dim light coming from the girls room so I headed that way. There, the three of you were sitting on Belle's bed in the dark playing cards. I am not sure what card game you were playing but it apparently required Belle to wear her sunglasses and for a Kathy Smith step aerobics tape to be on the tv. I laughed tO myself and crept away because I have learned not to interrupt quiet moments like that. It did make me think about your reltionships with eachother. How much they have changed, the dramatics involved, and how I hope they grow. Carter and Belle until this year you two did almost nothing separately. You two can turn our house into Wrestlemania in an instant but also can be the best of friends. This BFF feeling is stronger on Belle's side. Carter: Belle, I need a break from you. Belle: But Carter, you're my best friend! Belle and Ava struggle with eachother quite a bit. Belle often refers to Ava as her little bother. There are moments when the two girls call a truce. They love to pretend that Belle is "mommy" and Ava fills the role of "baby Madison.". (A name that Belle is convinced suits Ava better. Belle also spends time brushing Ava's hair- twisting the comb like one would with a fork in spaghetti. (We once had to snap a comb in half to get it out of Ava's hair.) Carter takes his role as big brother to Ava very seriously. He loves to help care for her- brushing her hair and helping to put on her shoes. He loves to take her hand and lead her around and makes sure that she gets her fair share in a group of kids. Your interactions entertain me. I hope that as you grow you will learn to lean on eachother and continue to love eachother as you do now (even though it may not always be obvious). Love (no matter what!), Mommy