Egg Hunting

Yesterday, the boys went a-hunting for candy filled plastic eggs. Don't judge me...it was a Spring egg-hunt, nothing more. Last year, M was very hesitant and barely collected any eggs because he is so cautious and observant and the other kids would come over and grab the eggs he was trying to collect and he simply allowed it. Obviously this is simply his personality, but it makes me feel badly for him, like he's getting walked over or taken advantage of. I'm sure it doesn't bother M at all, but just watching him makes me want to

beat all of the other kids to the perimeter and

let my baby grab what he wants. I never claimed

to be rational.

Well, this year M knew what the multi-colored plastic eggs were as soon as he saw them on the kitchen counter. He began incessantly bugging me about touching them, holding them, opening them etc. I used these opportunities to be the worst kind of soccer mom in the world...I began "coaching" him on how to grab the eggs when we went on the hunt and to run around and grab as many as he could. (Just a note, this makes no sense for a number of reasons. First of all, if M is having fun, who really cares how many eggs he collects. Second, it's not like I'm really going to let him eat the candy from a bunch of eggs. Lastly, why do I care this much about something so unimportant? I guess I should think about this and work on it.) Anyway, M kind of nodded while his eyes turned glazed and he continued trying to figure out how to get his hands on the candy-filled-eggs. I wonder if he wanted the eggs or the candy inside more.

On the way to the park, I handed the boys their baskets (NOT Easter baskets) and once again instructed M on what he was supposed to do. We arrived at the park and all the kids gathered to wait for the hunt to begin while some of the moms hid the eggs. The anticipation was palpable and the kids could barely sit still...all except for M who waited patiently. Seriously, all the other kids got up and ran towards where the eggs were hidden and I had to once again remind M to shuffle or he wouldn't get any. Once again I ask, what in the world is wrong with me. M is slow. He does everything slowly and doesn't seem bothered by much at all. Why can't I just leave him
be?

With my constant prodding and pushing, M managed to collect about a dozen eggs and had the time of his life stuffing his face with sugary delights. B, who I would have thought would be more aggressive, was apparently too young to understand and just stood in place watching the goings-on. He finally managed to pick up one egg and was thrilled to share the goodies of M's hard work. The boys had fun playing in the park afterwards and the bulk of their spoils remains in the trunk of the car...hopefully to never be remembered.