Tuesday, June 24, 2008

"What's this?" I say.

Here's a little background. My children have never, and I mean NEVER, played well or easily together without some assistance from me. Whit is too rough with Olivia and has very little imagination. He's all boy and loves to rough-house with whomever happens to be in his line-of-fire. He's more the brainy, scientific, play-by-himself-type when he's not practicing his "Flying Jimmy Snooka" off the side of the bed (that's old-school WWF, people). Olivia, on the other hand, has imagination enough for all of us. She loves everything girly, including singing, dancing, dressing up, doing her hair and nails, playing 'mommy' and taking care of anything of the living/breathing variety. Whit can walk in the same room with her and she just falls apart. The only activity they both enjoy together is story time at night, and even then I have to separate them into two piles (Olivia and her animals and 'friends' and Whit and his animals and 'friends'). I mean, they don't even like to be near each other, really. It's hard to watch, but it's true. Take a look at these pictures and you'll see...

This is not a new phenomenon...it dates WAY back...
Look at Olivia high-tailing it off the bed...she's trying to get away from Whit. Check out the face...
So, recently (like in the past month), I've noticed them playing more peacefully together. Whit is a little more easy with Olivia and is trying (very hard) to play "her kind of games." and Olivia is actually enjoying the wrestling, pouncing and body-slamming a little more. HALLELUJIA!! The prayers I've been praying for so long are being answered.
And, then, on Sunday (as if it would be on any other day), I see this scene in our garage...
Cue sound of needle scratching off record.
That's right...we are on our way out the door to church (not a coincidence) and I find my two precious children hugging! Thank you, God, for small miracles such as these!