Bats out of Hell

Reid turned three a few weeks ago and there has been a colossal shift from toddler to little boy, or maybe it's just that I'm more willing to accept that he's a little boy now, and I'm letting go (sniff sniff).  He is completely potty trained, during the day and NIGHT - HALLELUJAH!  The Abramowitz household is diaper and pull-up free!  And he's finally taken to his Strider bike and now he rides it like a 16 year old who just got his license - he's outta my grasp and thrilled.  The challenge of the Strider - and the point really - is that it has no pedals and no breaks.  On flat surfaces he's jamming along and mostly able to control the bike.  On inclines it's not so easy.  He's becoming more comfortable gliding down a decline and naturally slowing as the decline flattens, but the other day he was sailing down a slight decline and instead of veering left and continuing on the path as it flattened, he went right, straight into an enormous birds of paradise bush.  He completely disappeared from sight as he plunged into the bush, almost like it swallowed him.  With fear dripping from my face I ran to him as he was backing out of the bush, still straddling his saddle, and laughing hysterically.  As soon as Parker and I saw that he was unharmed we broke down in hysterics too.  It was a priceless moment  - my fearless three year old.  His bike needed a tune-up after the birds of paradise collision.

Reid fixing his Strider

Parker has been cruising on two wheels for almost a year now and is very conscientious - most of the time.  In the past, prior to the Strider conquest I walked briskly by with Reid in the pram and Bodi trotting next to me while Parker causally biked ahead; smiles plastered on our faces as we walked along the beach.  Now that Reid has found his biking groove they are like bats out of hell!  They have turned into rascally boys, with wild looks in their eyes, without an awareness that others exist; even for me who is running after them pushing an empty pram while dragging Bodi (he's no runner), shouting, "Watch out!  Look forward, not behind!  Slow down!  Stop ramming each other!"  Yes, I'm that mom now.  My conscientious first born has breathed new biking life now that his brother is by his side to raise hell.  And EVERYTHING is a competition, via Parker's rules of course.  Parker is always ahead during the race and constantly looking behind him to gauge his lead.  I'm terrified that he's going to run into some helpless little grandma and send her flying.  There is a fine line between the strangers we encounter that have the soft, sympathetic look in their eyes that says, "Boys will be boys," from those that say, "You crazy mum, control your children, and I really hope you don't have any more!"  I'm no stranger to boys and their level of activity, what has changed however is that I'm now the mom, and responsible for these wildings - how did that happen?!

This increased level of activity doesn't stop at bikes, it involves anything and everything except TV, (which I try not to allow since they look like drugged, comatose mannequins when they watch - it's a bit creepy actually).  If they see an obstacle, they must climb it.  This includes, trees, parking barriers, benches, street lights, hills, fences, garden walls - you name it, they want to climb it.  If they see an opportunity to push each other; they push and then tackle, an occasion to run turns into a game of tip (tag) all while dodging people, bikes, skateboards etc.

I may sound like I'm complaining, but the truth is I wouldn't change it for the world.  I think Bodi is the most shell shocked.  He definitely prefers the old days of sauntering along.  I am nostalgic for the days of pushing my baby in a pram though, Bodi by my side, while strolling and listening to Pandora or chatting on the phone, but I imagine I'll always miss those times.  Their energy is palpable and innocent, their shining smiles contagious and trouble-free.  They fill my body with warmth and make my heart swell.  What a wild ride they are.  Love my boys :-)                 

Life Lessons from The Pride

Several months ago my mom gave Parker "The Lion King" Broadway musical cd.  Since that time The Lion King and its array of characters has woven its way into the fabric of our lives.  We sleep, eat, and breathe The Lion King.  I find myself lying in bed seeking sleep while "The Morning Report" dances through my mind.  Hakuna Matata is a regularly used phrase around here and Parker now refers to Mark, Reid, Bodi and me as his Pride.  Simba, Mufasa, Scar and the whole gang are characters in the play that is our lives.           

Beyond our pleasure and entertainment The Lion King has prompted hours of interesting conversation and questions that range from marriage, death, and puberty to monarchy, ecological consumers, and of course Africa and every animal that lives on the continent.  It's also encouraged Parker's art.  We have a myriad of original pieces of art of Simba and his buddies.  

To give you a slice of some of the questions... "Mommy, since hyenas are scavengers, if a hyena died would the other hyenas eat it?"  I've had to educate myself on the ecological consumerism of EVERY LIVING THING!  Carnivore, herbivore, and omnivore are commonly used words in our house.  And it continues, "Mommy, why couldn't Scar be king?  I'm now an expert on the line of succession to the throne; "the heir and the spare."  And more, "Mommy, why are Timone and Pumba sad when Nala and Simba are singing, "Can you feel the love?" This prompted several conversations about having "feelings" for someone and "coming of age," which of course lead to marriage talks (about Parker and Eadan of course),  hormones, body hair - "Yes Parker you will be as hairy as Daddy one day, and yes your voice will change, and yes, you will be taller than me, and I'll have to look up to scold you" - and it still goes on and on... 

"Mommy, why is there only one lion and lots of lionesses?"  My response to this is, "Look Parker, a Kookaburra!"  DIVERT!  Don't think he's ready to hear; "Well Parker, the lion is a big ole arrogant ass who lays around all day while the lionesses are off doing the hunting and then when he decides he wants to "get some" he pounces the nearest lioness."  Is there a better explanation?!  Although to be fair lions sometimes hunt, but not often because lionesses are naturally more aggressive and the lion's mass and mane inhibit their hunt (as well as their enormous reproductive organs).  Also, sometimes there are two lions in a pride and not just one.  I love Wikipedia!         

Parker and Reid also have a lion den which is located under our dining room table.  They each have an end and rest their sweet lion heads on the table leg and make meowing noises while they pretend to sleep.  They also walk around the house on all fours with their Ugg's on their feet, their rain boots on their hands and wearing goggles - don't really understand the goggle connection but I don't question. 

The instrumental music of The Lion King, which is fabulous, has also inspired what I can only describe as some form of a tribal dance in our boys.  Similar I suppose to the African Anteater Ritual, it must be their African roots bubbling to the surface.  I only wish I could have their moves on video, but they don't groove on command, unfortunately.   

There will be a natural end to The Lion King obsession one day, but that day isn't today, or tomorrow, or next week for that matter.  We did however purchase "The Little Mermaid" broadway musical when we were back in the states.  Who knows, we could have littler mermen or crabs swimming through our living room soon.  Wonder what questions that music will initiate?