Overheard in the Lowell home...

These days it's all about imitating big brother Gavriel. If G is doing it, the twins want in. The greatest reward is to be allowed to play in his room for a few minutes. The ultimate punishment, banishment for a thousand and one days (Cheaper by the Dozen fans, anyone?)

This morning Ilan whacked Nadav. Gavriel then very slowly and carefully explained to Ilan:

Gavriel: "Ilan, you can't hit Nadavi, because Superman doesn't do bad things, he only goes after bad guys. You can't hit the good guys and be superman too."
Ilan: Okay Gavriel, me no hit Nadavi.

Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to apply when G decides to haul off and take out his brothers. But the intention is there, and maybe Ilan will hesitate a bit next time.

Later this morning, all three boys are in G's bedroom, all of a sudden they burst out, chasing down invisible bad guys:

Gavriel: Let's go get the bad guys!
Ilan: Me want fight bad guys too!
Nadav: Me run fast too!

And on a different note, my silent one is still relatively silent, but speaking more every day, and truly trying hard to say new sounds. His mouth is weaker, and he doesn't form the sounds as well, but it's coming with practice. Ari's been working on saying "Nadav" with him, and another special sound. Two and half years later, countless silent days, and my littlest one turned to me this week and said "Hello Ima".

I don't need much in the way of reward. I don't expect it, and am really okay with the selfless years of parenting. But sometimes rewards come when you don't expect it, and the gratitude comes flowing in.

Hello Ima.

Waves of thanks flowed through me. For a healthy little boy who is 100% there, and just needed a little more time to find his way to communicate with us.

I'm good now for another few months. Until potty training that is. Then I'm gonna need a whole heck of a lot of rewards for myself.