In case you forgot this is a Mommy Blog ...

Little Prince is now a full-time student.

I miss him every day.

A lot.

In Brazil, they start school at four years old, and it's practically all day. (Okay, it's really just from 1 to 6. But that's PRACTICALLY all day.) It's a very good school - bilingual, even. Although LP likes to correct the teacher sometimes - everyone loves a brown noser. I raised this kid right.

So now afternoons find me with just two kids. Do you know how EASY it is with just two kids? How did I ever think this was hard?


My problem comes with the entertainment part of the day. LP, being the older and wiser sibling (not to mention the most articulate and domineering) generally dictates what we will be doing for play time. Our activities are usually playing pirates, playing cowboys, playing bad guys, playing restaurant, playing dragons, playing school, playing knights, or crafts. Sometimes.


LP likes to pretend.

And because we've been play-acting for the better part of a year, I kind of forgot how to play at anything else.

Now I'm left with a couple hours a day of just me-and-Ouro-Branco time. And as much as I miss LP, I am loving this time with OB. I feel like I'm just now getting to know my sweet son as a PERSON - as a real little human being with his own (big) personality. When LP is around, OB reverts back to the adoring little brother, shadowing big brother's every move and going along with whatever.

It's when he's alone that he really shines.



And I like him. I don't just love him (though I do that very much), I truly like my son.

OB is dimples. OB is sunshine. OB is easily-forgiving-cannot-stand-the-slightest-raised-voice-best-hugger-in-the-world-Mr.-Busybody.
OB is Play Time personified.

But play time is different for every age. And I seem to have forgotten two-and-a-half-year-old play lately. Here's what I know.

Play time with OB is CARS.
Play time with OB is HIDE-AND-SEEK.
Play time with OB is AIRPLANES.
Play time with OB is BIKES
Play time with OB is TIGERS.
Play time with OB is TAG.
Play time with OB is SOCCER.
Play time with OB is TICKLE WARS.



I decided to interview my Ouro Branco: (it should be known that said interview took place on the couch right after a wrestling session)

Me: OB, how are you?
OB: TWO!
Me: Wow, you're two? You're getting so big ....
OB: No, I little.
Me: Yeah, but you're growing. So what's your favorite color, OB?
OB: [dimple showing] I ... get you, Mom!
[brief tickling interruption]
Me: That's a great color, OB. What's your favorite book?
OB: I TICKLE!!!! I BONK YOU!!!!!
[another tickling interruption]
Me: Wow, great book. I'm learning so much. So what's your favorite food?
OB: Big hug, Mom?
[that's my favorite meal of the day]
Me: I just love you, OB. Final question. Favorite movie?
OB: LIGHTENING MCQUEEN!

I love me some Ouro Branco time.