A Walk To Remember

As a parent, you really get to sit back and watch as your kids change and grow right before your eyes. Anyone who has had kids, I know, has experienced those moments where you think to yourself you never want to forget little things your kids have done. But, certainly, as life passes us all by, new memories are created and sometimes the old ones become more and more difficult to remember.

My point to this is, there have been a few moments like this lately that I just wanted to document in an attempt to preserve them and the little people my boys are becoming.

This past weekend Aiden was quite proud that he captured a roly poly. He brought him over to show both Chris and I and was ever so gently holding him in his hands. Well...I think in his attempt to care for the roly poly, he accidentally squished it. I know that boys will be boys and they do these kinds of things, but I actually do think Aiden didn't mean to, because in his softest voice he looked down at the roly poly and said "I'm sorry". It was just so sincere - I hope someone special appreciates his sensitivity someday.

Now onto the funnies...right around 4th of July weekend, we were at Gram & Papa's house and Gram asked Aiden if he wanted to bowl on the Wii. Aiden's response, "No Gram, first I'm going to play this game and then I'm going to go out to play baseball and then it will be time for lunch." Gram's response, "You are just like your mother...always a planner." To further show how much Aiden is becoming like me, we were busy cleaning out the garage this past weekend and Aiden was helping me to put away the juice boxes into the fridge. There were 4 varieties of juice...and before putting them away Aiden looks to me and asks "what kind of pattern should we put these away in Mom?" Oh boy...:)

Kieran is quite the opposite, although I think he has embraced my more crazy side. He will often do anything for a laugh - and I think his mere presence has caused our serious Aiden to erupt in more laughter since his arrival. He's also busy learning new words every day. One of my recent favorites is when I reach for him and ask "Mommy hold you?" he nods and says "Achoo".

And, finally, some of you may have already read this on Chris's blog, but I just wanted to include on here for memories sake. Chris asked Aiden a series of questions inspired by our friend Francie's blog, which went as follows:

1. What is your favorite book?
A: Ironman

2. What is your favorite movie?
A: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

3. What is your favorite food?
A: Grilled Cheese and grapes.

4. What is your favorite TV show?
A: Ben Ten.

5. How do you like being five years old?
A: Kinda good. Depends on if I have big boys beat me up.

6. What is your favorite color?
A: Blue.

7. Who is your favorite superhero?
A: Batman.

8. What is your favorite song?
A: The Imperial March from Star Wars (Darth Vader's theme)

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: Tall MU Player (at this point he runs across the room, stands there for a second and runs back. I ask him what was wrong and he told me he needed a "fart break".)

10. What is your least favorite food?
A: Chicken

11. What do you want to do when you're five? (What are your goals for the year?)
A: Skateboard (Now he runs to the bathroom, poop break)

12. What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy?
A: Go downstairs and watch a movie.

13. What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?
A: Go to the pool.

14. What is your favorite thing to do with your buddies?
A: Run around and play.

15. What is something Mommy always says to you?
A: Go upstairs and get to bed.

16. What is something Daddy always says to you?
A: Eat your breakfast. (Apparently we don't deal well with his pokiness)

17. Where is your favorite place to go?
A: Florida

18. What makes you laugh?
A: Funny jokes. Sometimes when people do funny things that I laugh so hard and fall down on the floor.

19. What is your nickname?
A: AB.

20. What is your favorite toy?
A: Nerf blaster guns.

21. What makes you sad?
A: When somebody hurts my feelings and pushes me. And when people say "I'm not your friend".

22. If Spider-Man and The Hulk fought each other, who would win?
A: Probably Hulk because he's stronger and tougher. *pause* Probably Spiderman cuz he shoots a web. If Ironman and Wolverine fought, Ironman would win because he has more powerful weapons.

My little Firecrackers

Our 4th of July celebrations (yes, with an "s") turned out to be quite good this year. We began the long weekend at Megan's house with all of the Kammert family. Aiden discovered Uncle Charlie's play station in the basement, which was near impossible to get him away from when it was time for the fireworks display. Kieran actually stayed up well past his bedtime and didn't even flinch at the loud booms and lights up in the sky (no surprise there!). It was probably a good thing that everyone slept in until about 8:30 the next morning!

On Sunday, we had our annual block party. We are truly spoiled...this party is literally in our backyard, and the boys get to enjoy a bounce house. Another neighbor is a local deejay (Marc O'Leary - great job!) and he passes out candy to the kids and has lots of entertainment that he coordinates with them - water balloon toss, chicken dance, etc. Every year our family has a blast and good eats. Unfortunately the weather wrapped things up around 8:30. However, we actually got a few fireworks this year and even let Aiden light a few (with supervision of course!). He had a blast (literally) and thought he was such a big kid.

Here are a few pictures that captured the fun of this weekend: