For so many years we did everything together with our kids.  With the boys only being 18 months apart they've always enjoyed the same things. So when we'd go to the park or the library or to bowling, we'd feel bad about only taking one. And Mike and I don't get to spend that much time together so we never really separated and took the kids individually. 

Fast forward to these days and we're splitting the kids up a lot.  As soon as Matthew went off to Kindergarten the nature of our activities changed and there were many things that Matthew was involved in that Ben wasn't (tball, for example). And there are birthday parties for their respective friends from their schools that only one child is invited to. 

For the most part, the kids don't like being apart. When one of them isn't going somewhere, the other one gets sad. That seems natural to me, they are best friends, but it also makes my heart happy that they care so much about each other.

Today Matthew is off to work with Mike. It's his company's "Take your kids to work" day.  They take kids from age 5 and up.  So Ben was not invited.  I told Ben last night that he got to stay home with me and we'd have a very special day together. He could even pick what he wanted to do.

You know what he said?

"Let's go out and buy Daddy and Matthew a present to give them when they get home....and let's cook them brownies....and we'll buy them some flowers".

:) I love that kid.