Every year during the week of the 4th of July, our town hosts a big fest, with all your usual carnival rides and garb. I am pretty sure these are all the same rides that I used to go on as a kid, but now as an adult who has a weak stomach, Zero Gravity, the Tilt-a-Whirl and the Zipper don't seem to have the same effect on me! Thankfully just watching my kids have their turn is equally as fun for me. Isn't that how is goes though? The moment we become parents, our idea of fun changes. Suddenly, it's not so much about US actually having the fun, as it is fun watching our kids have the fun. What brings us joy now, is seeing and hearing their joy.
A trip to the fest was on countdown, for I don't know how many days ahead of time. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever learn that it is best to just tell my boys the day of, that we are doing something special and fun. I guess I am always as equally excited to tell them about the event as they are going to it, but in telling them about it way in advance, I then pay the price by having to answer "How many more days until we go to the fest?" or "Is today the fest?" And then finally the day of, it's "How many more hours til we go to the fest?" or "Is it time to go to the fest yet? How many more minutes?"
This year was a big year for my middle son, Owen, as he finally hit the 48 inches line on the "Are you tall enough for this ride?" sign. This for him, was like a rite of passage, the transition from "little boy" into "BOY". Owen could finally ride the big kid rides!
As brave as I want to say he is, Owen really is a bit nervous and reserved and most of all, dependant on his big brother, Carter. I guess this is probably normal for a middle child. He has always had his brother there with him-- never was he the only child, so when he is presented with a situation which he may be uncertain about, he leans on Carter, for comfort and support. I saw this as I watched my boys stand in line for the big ride-- the one Owen has only been able to watch the others ride up until this year.
Owen clung to Carter in anticipation as he watched the others take their turn on the ride. Carter would shift and Owen would always find a way to make that connection to his brother, searching for comfort.
And as a mom of these two boys, who seem to antagonize, compete and fight with each other so much these days, watching this melted me. There, in line at the the fest, their mama was mush.
I hope they will always lean on one another and that their bond will forever be this strong.
A nervous little smile came from Owen, but I could see he was feeling super cool to be one of the big kids!
As the ride began, I could see my little boy still feeling so proud of himself for being so brave. He had crossed over into riding the big kid rides this year!
It was the coming down part that was the little scary for Owen! I am not going to lie, we (my husband, me and my neighbors) were on the ground laughing at his expressions, all while feeling a bit nervous that vomit would rain down on us!
Owen was white knuckled and terrified, but when it was all over.....
He seemed happy he had survived it and proud that he had done it. And Carter was happy to finally have a buddy to brave the big rides with!
Check out what Carissa shared for this month's blog in our 10 on 10 blog circle, by heading over to the amazing Ashlyn Adele Photography blog!
4 Comments
Jul 10, 2014, 10:50:13 PM
jess - Steph, Oh I just love your boys. I am so excited to see that bond with my boys (and big sis!) xoxoxoxo
Jul 10, 2014, 4:26:03 PM
Brandi Williamson - Oh my goodness how adorable and sweet are these photos?!
Jul 10, 2014, 1:13:16 PM
Becky Batchelor - Oh, what great moments you caught, Stephanie!!! Those will be amazing for him to look back and look through for his first big kid ride! I love the brotherly bond that you captured....you tell the story perfectly!
Jul 10, 2014, 10:01:01 AM
carissa - OMG this is beautiful. I feel like I was right there with you. Brought a tear to my eye. Why do they get bigger?!?!? He was so strong! You inspire me to try to capture these moments with my babies!