Is it just me or...

Um, is it just me or is my first born extremely controlling, manipulative, and bossy? I confess, not the first traits I'd like to be describing my son as, but none the less true. I've heard people tell me other terms to make those sound more positive personality traits but when it comes right down to it- it's all the same.

We went to Arty Pants Tuesday at the Walker Art Museum today. There was a woman leading a dance/ movement activity for the kids. All the other parents sat back and watched. I am usually very hands off or at least I thought I was till today. Maybe I'm the controlling one. Oliver sat on the sidelines and watched for a while. I encouraged him to join the group, watch what the teacher was doing and follow along. He jumped right in after a few minutes and had a HUGE smile on his face. Then the teacher started to direct the children in a couple other activities and Oliver just didn't listen. He wasn't being bad or out of control, but he literally did not listen. I attempted to focus his attention on the teacher to listen to what she was saying. He understood but as usual he needed to talk to the teacher, seeking approval and/ or finding out what was going to happen next. Augh- just listen Oliver and you'll find out.

Is it his age? Is it his personality or phase? I feel like I was always more shy, far less outgoing and more observant. And now I have a child who is totally the opposite in several of those areas, though strangely enough similar in other traits. We are on a constant parenting learning quest.

Lucius, well he started feeling feverish (it was 98.8 when we left the house and 103 when we came home) and wasn't really in the mood to dance or look at art. So we had a quick lunch and took everyone home to rest. Art Museums aren't really my thing either, but I like exposing the boys to as many different experiences as I can think of. Hopefully making them aware of all that's out there in the world.