Ainsley is an awesome big sister. For the most part, she tolerates Freddie's antics well. However, there are times she gets annoyed. I don't blame her. He's annoying...especially when you're a big 5 year old Kindergartner and he's still kind of a baby.
But I tell her that Freddie will be her best friend for life. Even though she may fight with him now, he'll always love her, always look up to her, and always stand by her side.
I'm sure she doesn't really get all that yet...definitely not when he's trying to steal her dolls. Ainsley's the oldest, so she's asked to give in more, she takes the blame more, she compromises more. But she loves that little guy with all of her heart. Freddie doesn't often return those hugs and kisses. He usually gets mad and pushes or hits or yells.
Freddie doesn't remember a day that he's spent without Ainsley. When Freddie and Ainsley were in separate classrooms in a daycare in Richmond, Freddie was only 9 months old. She's always there, even when Mommy and Daddy aren't. There are times that he gets in trouble and goes to her for cuddles and love.
On the first day of school, he didn't know what to think when we all left him in that classroom. He just stood there, kind of frozen, not sure what to say.
When Clif and I picked him up that afternoon he asked about Ainsley.
On our drive home, he told us about his first day.
Freddie: Me cy a peeshool. (I cried at preschool)
Me: Why'd you cry?
Freddie: Me wan Aidsey. (I wanted Ainsley)
At the bus stop he jumped up and down every time a bus came, and was let down every time it passed.
When she stepped off the 4th bus that drove down the street I heard him yelling from 20 yards behind me.
"Aidsey! Aidsey! Aidsey!"
He ran and threw his arms around her before I could even tell her hi.
"I ove ewes Aidsey." (I love you Ainsley)
As a parent, you worry about everything. You worry your kids will be lonely, that they won't make friends, that they won't know what to do without you, that you'll do something to horribly derail their childhood.
This makes me worry a little less.
