Braydon

After we read books to the boys and say prayers, Heather walks Owen to his bed and I tuck Kyle in his own bed. We “talk about the day” (which means I rehash some highlights), which we’ve done for the last couple years once we realized it helped Ky Ky fall asleep.

Recently I’ve started to say to him when the “talk about the day” is done: “Do you have any questions for me?” Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn’t. Well, to be more specific, I am not sure he really understands what a question is exactly. This was last night’s event:

Me: Do you have any any questions for me?
Ky: Ummm. Ummm. Yes.
Me: Ok, what are your questions?
Ky: My question is….
Ky: I like airplanes.
Ky: I like boats.
Ky: Those are my questions for the day.
Me: You like airplanes and boats?
Ky: Yes.

And he snuggles in, sucks his thumb and heads off to sleep with a little grin on his face.

On Friday the RVWS had it’s annual Lantern Walk to celebrate the fall season. We had never been to one, but the school had been preparing – and the boys had given us a preview of the songs they had been working on.

The letter home about it had instructed us, under no uncertain terms, that the Lantern Walk is a quiet peaceful time; adults are not to socialize and chat, and there should be no cell phones or cameras or video cameras. All of which it turns out I was glad for (although I did break the rules).

They handed out lanterns made by the kids – in our case little glass jars with colored paper painted-on and hung from a short stick with wire. We sang a few songs as a group all about fall and winter. Kyle and Owen followed along – kind of – since they didn’t seem to know the words or the tunes too much, but it was super cute.

In typical K&O fashion they had to be the center of the action. And by center, I mean the center. They stood in the center of the fire pit (that would be lit later) while everyone stared at them. When the singing started, we made sure they came back to us.

Then everyone did a nice nature walk around the school, lit by luminaries and our lanterns. Kyle insisted on walking with Miss Kathy and holding her hand when possible, Owen liked to walk with the big kids as much as possible. Typical on both accounts!

After the walk we all had nice warm apple cider around the “bonfire” and everyone murmured and chatted (quietly of course).

All in all, it was really really nice. The boys loved it. So much in fact that as soon as we got in the car, Kyle said “Papi, you have to turn around and go back!”. Heather and I loved it too.

My rule breaking self couldn’t not take a few camera phone pics (double whammy!).

I drop K & O off at school most of the time. I love it – it’s a great way to start the day – there is so much positive energy getting to school and walking in. And I am witnessing something wonderful about our boys.

K & O are already the most popular kids in their class, if not the school. Any by most popular, I don’t mean most recognizable, or token friend (although there is some of that too of course), but I mean most popular. And for someone who was not not not not popular as a kid – I can see it a mile away. This morning is a good example. On pulling up to school:

Me: come on guys, hurry hurry let’s go, we’re already late [ed: late is not typical, but I have to always usher them in]; grab your back packs, let’s go – vamanos!
K&O: big stretch, lazily get backpacks… Look – a sea urchin! [pine coney thing falling from tree as we walk in]Me: ok fellas – let’s go!
First person to see them: “It’s Kyle and Owen: good morning gentlemen!”
Second person to see them: Hi Kyle and Owen! Good morning!
Third person to seen them: Hi guys! High Five!
K&O: Good morning! [Kyle holds the door for the people going in; not sure where he learned that, but a good start]Me: come on guys – keep going!
K&O: [invariably] Papi – look! The fountain! [it is always there and either on or off]Me: ok guys [voice getting quiet as we arrive at their classroom], let’s listen for fussing [hold over from first days of school when O would fuss]K&O: NO FUSSING!

We go in and this is what happens:

KYLE, OWEN; KYLE & OWEN ARE HERE!!!! The shout comes from about 10 kids between 2-4 and they all (yes, all) run over to greet K&O. If the class were a boat, it would capsize at that moment. Some are grabbing and hugging them, some stand a couple feet away, some are wearing capes that stream out behind them.

Kyle and Owen react in course – they start hamming it up making all kinds of strange noises and faces. The kids all laugh and engage in it. Pretty soon both boys are jumping on my back as I try to put their slippers on. Then other kids are too and everyone is laughing and having a great time. I am trying to not get smooshed. Their teacher comes over and starts to redirect and the day is well under way. Lots of laughing. Kyle tells me he loves school.

Looking over, I see Kyle and Owen with a special friend of theirs. This friend has Downs syndrome and is 5 years old. I see them saying hi – the boy has a huge grin and K&O are laughing with him and holding hands. The three of them are a happy little crew and like to walk in the woods outside – Kyle and Owen on either side as they walk, hand-in-hand singing songs.

At some level I think they are aware something is different about him. I think there is more than just peas-in-a-pod friendship here – that they get it he needs a little something extra. And they give willingly, unassumingly, unreservedly with love. That is it right there – those are my boys; that’s the amazing thing.

The most popular kids in class, great friends with a kid needing a little more. Not much more; he’s not helpless, he’s not a problem. But we all know how it can be for people who need more. We’ve all seen what happens when someone is an outsider – it happens with kids and adults.

And that’s why this is a big deal.

Glory be – a dream come true! I took the boys to the Collegiate Marching Band Festival today. Now just to be clear, this would be Kyle’s dream if he had known such a thing existed. This is not my, Heather’s and not Owen’s dream, but it is most definitely Kyle’s dream. And it was a dream come true – a was a gorgeous day, perfect weather and it was very exciting. Kyle and Owen brought their trumpets (toys) with them and carried them for the entire afternoon.

We arrived and got a chance to see a few bands warming up including the Morgan State Marching Band. I think it was the only all black band there (not entirely sure), so I was thrilled that we happened upon their practice. And they rocked. Really – a good marching band is really something to see.

Once we got to the stadium it was pure Marching Band Action – and both boys were enthralled. We got to see three different Marching Bands perform (there were 17 that day) and for us Morgan State was the best. Kyle Grooved to it, “playing” his trumpet and moving it up and down like the bands were doing. Owen lost interest after a while, but found interest in jumping from bleacher to bleacher and acting as traffic cop/toll gate to people down the stairs.

When it was time to leave we got to walk through where all the buses were and Marching Bands were lined up to go into the stadium and others were doing final touch ups on their performances. Both boys managed to touch pretty much every single instrument and performer they saw on the street.

A marching great day all around!

We had a very nice walk and found a quiet bench on the path. These boys really really love their mommy!