FIRE CRACKER'S FRIEND

It started out innocent. No one really thought much about it. Then we (family and neighbors) started to see a trend. We were surprised. They are so young! I mean really, who would have guessed (a then) two year old could be so compassionate toward a friend! He started to cry when we had to go in from outside play. He started to look out the window each day and ask where his friend was. That is when we knew Fire Cracker was smitten with our neighbor's little girl - they are the same age with her being just 4 months older.

For the past year or so we have all sat back and watched the two. They are so funny and cute together! It cracks us up. They are like a little elderly couple who have known each other for years! At any given point, you can find Fire Cracker and his friend chasing each other in the grass, riding bikes alongside each other (he even goes to get her bike from her garage for her! hehe......), sitting side-by-side having a snack on the brick walkway or sharing a chair and chatting away in a language only they can understand. Fire Cracker just adores her! As for her, she seems to enjoy him as well, but often moves into toleration mode for the little boy constantly in her shadow! The first thing Fire Cracker does when we go outside is ask us or her parents where she is and when she will be out. And like I mentioned, he is totally deflated when we make him come in. She is the only one he plays with if she is out. She will forever be his "first friend"!

A great example of this cute little "couple" was the other evening when they got their beach towels out and pretended to be at the beach on the front lawn. They danced and talked and played for what seemed hours. Sometimes they would even sit with their backs against each other just jibber-jabbering to each other. One day I will catch them on the video camera so you can see the full effect. I have never seen anything like it! Who knew a little three year old could be so chivalrous?