Brothers

Andrew and Michael are 4 1/2 years apart.  They very rarely play together.  At least not alone together.  Lily is the linchpin that holds them together in play time.  They love each other and wrestle around and Andrew is very very patient with Michael when he wants to play a computer game/with Andrew's toys/etc.

There are glimpses of the future.  Like last weekend, when a football game was on, and Michael and Andrew were watching it with their dad.  I just watched them and flashed forward to when they are all big loud men yelling at the tv and enjoying each other's company thoroughly.

Michael is still little...but I think the brotherly bond will grow more and more as he looks up to his brother and wants to do things with him.

A few mornings ago, Andrew and Michael needed to bathe before school time.  It's always a delicate balance between having enough time to wash well and not using up all the hot water.

Andrew went first, since he actually has to catch the bus at 8:30.  He is completely self-sufficient in the shower, so all I have to do is point up the steps and point...he does the rest.  He is not completely competent...sometimes he comes out with dirty ears and the back of his shirt sticking to him because he forgot to dry all the way off.  But...whatever.  Clean ENOUGH.  (we are in trouble once he actually starts to stink, I suppose).

So Andrew is upstairs showering.  I am cleaning up in the kitchen.  I hear Michael's voice echoing down from the upstairs...giggles and loud talking.  I start charging up the steps, full of vim and vigor...."For the love of...why can't he leave his brother alone for one mother-loving minute...we have to get going to school and you need to leave him alone...why doesn't anyone value privacy in this house...get the heck out of the..."

And then I reach the top of the steps and see Michael pajamas in a pile in the hallway.

And I notice that Michael is in the shower with Andrew.  Which is weird, because Michael ABHORES showers.

But there he is...face dripping wet and soap all over his body.

And I hear Andrew, "Now, don't forget the bottom part of your legs.  Yup.  Just like that.  Next I'll show you how to put shampoo in your hair.  Get your head wet.  Just close your eyes and let it run over you.  That's right.  Good job."

Oh.  How my heart melted.  Michael is willingly soaping up his head and body...and then sticking his whole head under the stream of water to wash it away.  He trusts his big brother unquestioningly...more than his mother and father apparently.  And Andrew takes that very seriously (in important situations anyway).

They were so proud of themselves when they got out of the shower.  Michael yelled, "I showered!  With Andrew!  I'm never going to have to take a bath again!"  Andrew used his big important (kind of condescending) big brother voice for the rest of the morning, "Well, YES, Michael.  Let's play together.  You did such a good job."

Brothers.  It's just so sweet.