We like to say that Wiley is good at being two. Usually we say that when he is throwing a fit or whining for Mommy. It helps us realize that this is just a phase and he will outgrow it someday. But he is also good at being a very cute two-year-old (in our biased opinion). I suppose that for many of these it is much cuter in person, but I wanted to share them anyway.Every night at bedtime Daddy reads to Aden and Wiley, usually on Aden's bed. Wiley is hoisted up onto the top bunk first, and as he looks down over the edge of the rail, he routinely calls out to Aden (still selecting his book from the shelf below), "Hey, Buddy!"
I know it is common for younger siblings to mimic the older children in a family, but Wiley takes this to a new level. He rarely does anything on his own without his brother. From repeating every question and comment (and demanding a repeated response from Mommy or Daddy), to playing with the same toys, Wiley really tries to be like his big brother. Perhaps it is because Aden is Wiley's only peer, but it is pretty amazing how far he takes this. We asked if the boys wanted to stay with their friends and play, or walk to the little store on station with Mommy and Daddy. Rather than voicing an opinion, Wiley immediately looked to Aden and waited for his reply before speaking up with an echo. Recently, the boys were sitting at the table while Mommy was feeding Noah on the couch. Aden stood up in his chair to announce that he was done, but that he had some food on his arm. "Yuck," he added. Right on cue, Wiley repeated the whole thing, including the "yuck," and in spite of the fact that (for once) his arms were clean.While Wiley mimics Aden most of the time, there have been a few instances where Wiley has stepped out on his own. Today there was a container on station, full of hospital supplies to be unloaded. I asked Aden if he wanted to ride in one of the trucks dispersing the items to the hospital. He declined, and then I asked Wiley (before he realized that Aden had already said no). He looked up at me and nodded his head.
When he saw that Aden did not want to go, he almost changed his mind, but I encouraged him to get in the truck, and he enjoyed the ride while his cautious big brother enjoyed watching (and later telling about) Wiley's Big Adventure. I'm thankful for these times when Wiley allows himself to be his own person, especially because he seems to enjoy adventure a bit more than Aden. A couple months ago at our monthly English service (lotu) in the hospital chapel, Wiley boldly stood on his own. We sat together as a family next to the wall, but Aden soon moved to the other end of the bench in front of us. Of course, Wiley joined him, and they sat attentively while we sang. After we had been standing to sing and pray, Uncle Jeff had everyone sit down before we sang the next hymn. I watched as Wiley continued to stand, on top of the bench, and then began waving his arms as he looked straight ahead with no inhibitions. I soon realized what he was doing - directing the music just like his Uncle Jeff.Noah was lying on the floor and probably got a hold of one of Aden and Wiley's toys and began to cough. "Mommy!" Wiley cried. "Noah's coaching!"
We were eating a fruit salad with dinner one evening, with pineapple, sugar fruit, and papaya. Wiley recognized the color of the papaya (which he doesn't usually eat) and thought it was mango, which he loves. But it's been a few months since mangoes were in season, and he didn't quite remember what it was called. He happily took several pieces of "flamingo" and ate it right up.
Last week in town, Mommy found Ritz cheese sandwich crackers and thought the boys would enjoy them as a special treat. We often have crackers and cheese as a Sunday evening snack, so this past Sunday she pulled out the special crackers and gave them to the boys. She explained that there was already cheese inside. Aden and Wiley were very excited to try them . . . until Wiley tasted them. Wiley asked, "Is this not real cheese?" "No," Mommy admitted. "Is it pretend cheese?" "Yes, it's pretend cheese," Mommy conceded. "Why would they put pretend cheese on them?" Aden chimed in. Mommy gave up and put the crackers away.We hang washcloths on clips on our refrigerator for each of the boys to use after meals. Daddy wanted Wiley to realize that it was time to get down from the table, so he held up the washcloth and asked "Wiley, what's this?" "Love," came Wiley's immediate response.
A few months ago, Aden and Wiley went to play at Aunt Becky's house across the road. She doesn't have many childrens' toys, but discovered that her Birthday edition Peanuts comics book was a big hit. The boys liked it so much that they asked to borrow it. We only had it for a couple of days when they had the book memorized. Wiley still likes to (mis)quote this favorite dialog between Sally and Charlie Brown, with all the proper inflections: "I almost got you a birthday card today." "Almost?" "I didn't have money to pay for it. I left it at the store. I will pick it up at will-call."
