red box: an update

As I’ve begun pulling out the hand-me-down 3T clothes for Leo to wear, I have realized that these are some of the clothes that Drew was wearing when we were in the process of adopting Leo.  It’s hard to believe Drew once fit in these clothes…and equally hard to believe that Leo is beginning to fit into them.  While they are both physically growing, what impresses me most these days is how much they have grown closer together as brothers.

Back in 2010, I bought a box.  A red box (click & check out the old post) that I hoped would help Drew connect to his little brother.  I think it worked.

the box in 2010 - it now sits on a bigger and fuller bookcase with chapter books having replaced the board books

This red box now holds 89 notes from Drew to Leo.  Most are legible.  Re-reading these notes has made me realize Drew was just as excited and anxious to have Leo home as we were.  (it also makes me think that i should have had my own little box of notes for leo as we waited to bring him home).  The notes were (and are) Drew’s hopes and dreams for brotherhood.  As you can see in this post, their bond has grown very strong over the past 17 months.  They have played and shared and learned so much.  And, they have accomplished all this together.  I have no idea if or when all the items will get checked off (go in a hot air balloon?).  That’s not really the point.  I am glad my boys are doing things together and sharing the things they like to do.  I hope the number of notes added to this box…from Drew and Leo…reaches the hundreds or thousands over their lifetime.  What a gift that would be!

and, 13 days later we were on our way to bring Leo home

{i am still amazed at how well drew could write at just three and a half years old!  that he knew his letters and could write them so well. i loved his tenacity back then...and i love that it has carried through to how he approaches his nightly homework. i love each and every note he wrote - and would have included them all in this post - but, they are his notes to leo.  but, they aren't really mine to share.  but trust me...they are all awesome. just like drew is.}

Until next time…we've got some notes to write - it's time this box saw some new ones