I think there might be something wrong with Brian.

He had to leave even earlier than usual this morning. At 4:15 am he was almost bouncing around the house, happy and chipper like it was noon on a beach somewhere.

I said something sweet and ladylike, something along the lines of, "what the heck are you so cheerful for at 4 in the morning?"

He said, "there's three inches of new snow on the ground!"

Only Brian would be happy about THAT at 4am!

They're training them young now, aren't they?

Just down the street from us lives the most adorable girl named Caitlin, she happens to be just about exactly Alex's age. They are fast friends, and occasionally in love. I had a birthday card laying around that was blank - I found it in his room the other day. He had written "I Love You Caitlin" on it and taken it to her. She wrote "I Love You Too" and brought it back. (Yes, he's only 6, not 16. Yes, I know I'm in for an interesting ride for the next 20 or so years until he finds himself a wife!) I'm waiting for a good time to snatch it for his scrapbook!

Anyways. Today after church he went up to fetch her and walked her back to our house. Being a frequent guest at our house, she's completely comfortable. She grabbed an apple and sat down at the counter to help Jason build a little Christmas house and watch Alex play the Wii. Jason, being all boy, abandoned his house to the female and went to "give Alex advice" on the game play. Alex turned him down, and they started arguing. Before I could do anything, Catilin stepped in.

Caitlin: Alex, stop being a jerk.
Alex: I'm not being a jerk.
Caitlin: Yes you are, he's your brother and he's trying to help.
Alex: I'm NOT being a jerk!
Caitlin: Alex, quit being a jerk or I'm going to beat you up.
Alex: Ok.

And then a normal evening of playing and hanging out ensued, while I marveled at how easily this little girl could bend Alex to her will!