This Bee loves every form of dirt. Sand. Mud. Dust. He will find it and play with it (and possibly eat it--case and point).
What I wasn't expecting out of his love for dirt was his influence he would have on Kid. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? For three years I have been encouraging Kid to play in the dirt and mud. If he gets dirty, he freaks. He's a boy who likes to stay clean. Something about "boy" and "clean" screams oxymoron, which is most likely why I have had such a hard time with it (again, refer to as "nutty").
But in this past week, we have been experiencing quite a breakthrough with Kid. Not only will he play in the dirt, he remains calm (in our terms "in control") until he can wash his hands or other body parts that may have been marked with the earth's paint.
I can't tell you how long I've dreamed for this day:
On the Kid note, some other breakthroughs:
-He has been learning to "gain control" of his emotions much better now. In the last week, when one of his "particular" outbreaks happens, he's been able to go to his room, cool down, and then talk about it. After talking, he leaves his room with a self-proclaimed "happy heart". How rewarding. It's been a tough road to get there.
-He has been more kind with Baby and playing with him more and more. Since Bee is so into dirt and the like, they will spend up to an hour together playing in the dirt, scooping, grading, "building playgrounds".
In fact, insert story for the books:
-Yesterday we were outside and the boys were playing with the tractors in the dirt. I ask Kid what he's grading the dirt for. He responds, "I'm building a cage for Everett. You know, one of those cages that dogs go in, but Everett can go in it, isn't that nice?" Hardly, but I get the point. Props to you brother.
-At the same location, there is a rosemary bush. I asked him if he could smell the bush behind him and he responded, "You mean the rosemary bush?". My response, "Why, yes, how did you know that was a rosemary bush?". Kid, "Well, the roses got married, Mommy"!