Sweet Little Pest

My great grandson, Axel Petersen is sweet little boy with a loving heart. The kindness in that boy shows on his sweet face…even when he is having one of his mischievous 2-year-old moments. And believe me when I say that he does have those moments, you know the kind when he pretends he has no idea what you are talking about, as he “innocently” continues doing the very thing you are telling him to stop. He even walks up to the thing he isn’t supposed to do, turns and looks at me, grins and does it anyway!! That pest!! Still, at other times, he is a perfect little angel without so much as a hint of a mischievous side. He just sweetly brings you a gift of a flower, a block, or other toy that he thinks you might like. Or he asks you to sing him a song, as he sleepily rolls over and drifts off to sleep, in need of a nap after all that play. It’s a sweet memory of an average day with Axel and his brothers, Justin and Cristian.

Axel is the middle of my grandson, Josh Petersen and his wife, Athena’s three boys, although soon he will have another brother. Like his grandma, my daughter, Corrie Petersen and her sister, Amy Royce, Axel and his older brother, Justin will always be the same age for about a month, before Justin’s birthday. They are “Irish Twins” just like their grandma and aunt…something they will always share. Nevertheless, Axel will soon become one of the big brothers, with two little brothers to help out with or to get into mischief with, whichever they seem to be into at the moment. The bigger boys love their little brother, Cristian, especially making him laugh and holding him, even though Cristian isn’t too sure about that part.

Axel loves books, especially when the book has some special parts, like flaps to open, rubber tires to touch, or dinosaur pictures that growl. He loves dinosaurs and loves pretending to be one to see if he can scare me. He stomps his feet menacingly toward me, and when he gets close, he says loudly, “Rrrraaaaar!!” It’s my job to act scared, or sometimes roar back at him, to which he scampers away, pretending to be afraid, and then comes back at me for another attack. Having had daughters myself, this “new world” I’m a part of filled with mostly boys (plus one granddaughter and one great granddaughter) has been a bit of a learning curve and a “culture shock” too, but I love all those boys very much, and I know that I have been truly blessed to see the other side of grandparenthood and great grandparenthood. A side where bugs and worms aren’t disgusting, but rather they are interesting, and a “must see” item…a side where wrestling around on the floor being tackled by two “monsters” is just an average day in the life of a little boy!! Today is Axel’s 2nd birthday. Happy birthday Axel!! Have a great day!! We love you!!