May Farms

A few weeks ago, the boys and I headed to a little farm north of town for some feeding and petting and haying and riding with a group of mom and kids. There were numbers of other kids there holding bunnies and guinea pigs, feeding goats and sheep, and chasing dogs and cats. My boys were pretty fearless and had a great time with all of the animals--Mackay even a little more than Brigham.

Brigham, thank the stars and moon above, is becoming more mature as he approaches his third birthday. Mackay, on the other hand, just turned 20 months and is knee deep in the toddlerhood--and by the looks of things right now, it is going to be fun with him as well. I thought that because I had a challenging and willful first child my second one would be more reasonable and calm. That theory worked pretty well until #2 became a toddler. I don't think there is anything reasonable and calm about toddlers and Mackay seems to have some of the same willful fight in him as his older brother (and that ladies and gentlemen is a very real explanation as to why the Bradburys will have just two boys for a while longer).

So Mackay was all over the place at the farms. He ate food and railing bars, he ran under the ropes and crawled in the pens with some of the animals. He is big and he is everywhere--again thank heavens for Brig who is making mostly good choices and staying in pretty constant peripheral of mom. Towards the end of our time at the farm, Mrs. May brought around the horse to allow the kids to go for little rides. The boys and I stuck near the other animals as kids were riding and that was great until Mackay noticed the horse and realized that he was not riding it. He started to pitch several small fits so the boys and I made our way to the picnic bench to wait for our turn--Brigham rather patiently and Mackay out of forced necessity.

As we were waiting for other kids to make the horse loop, I was envisioning my boys riding the horse together--I thought Mackay might be scared and unsure by himself and would feel better with his brother behind him. Not to mention the great photo op for me. I figured as long as Brig was down with a tandem ride, all would be well. Mackay couldn't possibly have an opinion on the matter. When it was finally turn for the Bradbury boys to ride, Mackay was up and saddled on that horse before I could even blink. The little cowboy was ready for his ride. The thing he was not ready for was Brigham then getting behind him on the horse. As soon as Brig got on the back of the horse and put his arms around his brother, Mackay started pitching the biggest fit ever--loud and proud. He screamed and screamed and screamed. Moms all around thought he was scared or being pinched and were a little taken back at my lack of concern for my son.

Yet I knew that Mackay was not screaming in pain but anger. He did not want his brother on the back of the horse with him and he was letting everyone know about it. No hurt, just drama. Brigham graciously got off the horse when I asked him to wait for the next turn--again thank the heavens for growing up a little. After Brigham's exit, Mackay was still crying and Mrs. May looked at me nervously. I told her to start walking and I thought things would be just fine. And as soon as that horse moved two steps the crying stopped and looks of pride and joy crossed my little drama boys face. About 30 seconds into it they paused the ride so I could take some pictures and Mackay turned to me with the biggest smile on his face (as seen above in the pictures). All of the watching moms said, "Oh that is so cute. What a smile." I have to say that while thinking my son is pretty much the cutest ever, I did not see innocent pleasure on his face but vindictive victory. He had won the battle and he knew it. Oh man.

When the ride was over, Mackay pitched a new fit because he did not want to get off the horse. Consequently I carried him around the circle under my arm like a football, arms and legs flailing and voice screaming, while taking pictures of Brigham and talking to him about his ride. After all of the rides and pictures, we found our stroller, bid fond farewell to all of the animals, and got ready for the 30 minute ride back home. No picnic, no more petting, we were done--or mom was done. It was - after all - lunch time and nap time and every other possible time that could set off a little kid who lives and dies to be on a regular schedule. We ate sandwiches in the car and talked about the animals and Mackay fell asleep before we got home. And then he was my cute little man again.

Good thing I will always have the picture of Mackay on the back of the horse. That smile says it all.