ME: Dylan, aren’t you excited?
DYLAN: Uh-huh. I am.
ME: You’re almost three. You’re gonna be a big boy.
DYLAN: Uh-huh. I am.
ME: And you’re gonna go to preschool this fall.
DYLAN: Uh-huh. I am.
ME: And you’re gonna meet all these new boys and girls.
[Long pause as Dylan looks at me, thinking about it]
ME: Just imagine all the new friends you’ll make at Holy Cross.
[Long pause]
DYLAN: Daddy … Jack be my friend at Holy Cross. … I bring Jack.
ME: Well, that’d be nice, but your brother will be at White Oaks. He’s gonna be a first-grader. You know that.
[Long pause]
DYLAN: No, I bring Jack. I bring Jack to Holy Cross.
ME: No, honey, Jack will be at White Oaks.
DYLAN: Daddy … [Lower lip out] … I bring Jack.
Four days later
ME: I know you guys are having fun, but I want you to stop it.
JACK: But Daddy, he’s laughing
ME: Guys, no more open-tackles on the cement. I mean it.
JACK: But Daddy, I’m the velociraptor, and he’s the herbivore.
ME: I don’t care.
JACK: [Protesting] But someone has to be the prey.
Three days later
JACK: …. which just goes to show you, Daddy …
DYLAN: [Serious face] goes show you, Daddy …
JACK: … that a terrabird could never survive–
DYLAN: tare-bird never survive …
JACK: [Glancing down at Dylan] … an attack by a pack of sabertooth tigers, because–
DYLAN: ‘tack by packa sabertooth tiger, because–
JACK: [Screaming] Stop it! … Stop copying me!!!
DYLAN: [Looks away] I not copying you.
MOMMY: Jack, he’s just doing it because he wants to be like you. He loves you.
JACK: That’s not the point. I want him to listen.
Sunday
ME: Time to wake up, Dee-Dee.
DYLAN: [Groggy. Eyes opening] Where’s Jack?
ME: He’s still with Mommy. He’ll be home soon.
DYLAN: [To himself] Jack be home soon.
Two hours later
MOMMY: Okay, Dylan. Now tell Jack.
DYLAN: I missed you, Jack.
JACK: [Eyes closed as he eats. Happy] Do you love me?
DYLAN: I love you, Jack.
JACK: How much do you love me?
DYLAN: Bigger’n the whole worl’.
JACK: [Eyes closed, chin up] And for how long?
DYLAN: For ever an’ ever.
JACK: I love you, too, Dee-Dee.
[Long embrace slowly turns into wrestling match]
Greg Bardsley 
July 30, 2007 at 4:33 pm
I never tire of stories about Jack and Dylan. They’re amazing kids. You know you’re lucky the get along so well,don’t you? Even if hugging does turn into wrestling.
August 1, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Awesome, Greg. Enjoyed a good laugh reading about your cute boys and their dino-loving ways.
August 3, 2007 at 6:58 am
I absolutely adore your little ones! I know there’s a lot of laughter, love, and smiles in the Bardsley household and I thoroughly enjoy hearing about your adventures with Jack and Dylan.