Getting Creative

"You will always have a best friend because you have a brother," is a frequent reminder spoken in our house lately. Since moving to Seattle the boys have had to adjust to life without friends and some days have been harder than others. Like yesterday when Marcus wrote in his summer homework journal, "I hate Seyatle bekus I don't have any freinds." Then he sat on my lap and cried.

I feel bad for him. There are a couple neighbor kids his age but they just haven't connected yet. Not once have they invited him to play, and they run inside if they see him playing outside. I'm trying to be positive and blame their unfriendly behavior on the fact they have been born and raised here and don't know what it's like to be the new kid. For now, I'm filling in as the coolest friend ever until they make one of their own. When I have to take a break from building amazing Lego creations, playing basketball, jumping on the trampoline, or reading stories, it's nice to have a hot tub and a trampoline to keep them busy for a little while so I can get a box unpacked.

Sometimes we venture out to try something new. We went to a nearby zoo that actually had more statues of animals than actual animals. After my boys got in trouble for climbing on the statues and growling at a (non-statue) mountain lion we decided that was the first and last time we'll ever go there again. Lesson learned.

All this alone time has led to some creative ways to pass the time. Marcus has developed a talent for throwing his plastic sword through the open window on the 2nd floor while jumping on the trampoline. I have yet to accomplish the same feat. Ethan is perfecting the art of treasure hunting as he is always finding long-forgotten items in the backyard from soccer balls and old dog toys to an Easter egg filled with money.

We are definitely anxious for school to start.