Mr. Magnanimous

Dearest Squeedle Bettle,

As I went to write this post I was thinking of the many interactions I should share of you. Since this gets to act as your baby book, our time capsule of memories, it is important to me that you get a glimpse of your childhood in different ways. So as I started to reflect on all the posts I've done, of all the experiences you and I keep, today one thing in particular stood out to me that I think you should know - you child, are magnanimous.

I know I have shared your many antics. The ways in which you interpret and work with this world. But I have to note that the ability you have to captivate people is so very interesting to watch, and believe me, I get a lot of opportunities. I cannot go places without you drawing attention to your awesome self. Movie theatres filled with people laugh at your genuine commentary. Kids at playgrounds, restaurants, the zoo - can't not play with you. And taking you places like the store... don't get me started on the number of conversations you have gotten me caught up in with others because of your wit. The world is ever your audience and I have the best seat in the house.

Perhaps what is best about this trait is how well you use it. You are kind in your interactions with others. You give compliments in the most genuine of ways, and watching the joy it brings as you catch others off guard with it, is lovely. You are engaging with people in conversation. And the excitement that you bring when you truly love something is infectious.

This trait of yours makes me so excited for you. What will your world be like as you navigate your way through it with this quality? How will you use it? We get a glimpse sometimes at possibilities. At seven you dream of a life that includes animal activism for a job. You are not okay with seeing a homeless person on the street, and are quick to ask how we can help. You give your own earned money without question to charity boxes. And watching you take things in and ask questions that draw attention - we see big things for you. But better yet, you see big things for you. I can't wait to see where it all takes you. =0)

- Mommy

A Summer of Sunshine

Sweet boy of mine,
As another adventurous summer has come to an end, and you are now very much a (gulp!) second grader, there are so many snippets I pray you remember. Night drives and sitting on the dam to look at city lights and sunsets with me, bike rides and Lego building with your dad, grandpa the giggle monster, those rare moments of just grandma time you both love, and asking everyone you know to be a platypus in your entertaining and imaginative games. J.M Barrie, author of Peter Pan, once wrote “People who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.”  And never has a quote rang more true for anyone, than this of you.

SEVEN!

It might be a couple days early, but as time is moving ever so quickly, my fit of nostalgia is ready to celebrate as I write post 101 (wowza!) about how amazing you are. So here we go... get  ready for a sappy, mushy, can't wrap my head around the fact that you are turning seven, mommy rant. =0)

These, my sweet boy, are captured moments in time. I know I have often told you of what kind of baby you were - happy, joyous, hilarious, and way too much fun. The best part is that while you seem so much older, and are so much wiser, you are such the same.  That tender heart that cares for all, that Peter Griffin laugh when you're trying to be sneaky, and your uncanny ability to make me laugh - you are you, and I am grateful.

 

So here are some things that I want captured of you, Aiden, at seven:

• You are confident in your abilities to do and master things. Swimming? You got it. Diving into the deep end? Didn't phase you a bit. Riding a bike? You're golden. Keep that determination and confidence kid - it will take you far.
• You are crazy! I don't think we have a bed time where you don't try to sneak out of your room at least once for a "surprise hug!" - it's heart melting. You push the limits often. While I know that you are all boy, I do pray that your guardian angel is as fast on his wings as you are on your feet.
• You are loving. I hear how you adore babies constantly. There are days you can't have enough snuggles. And there are moments that you are overwhelmed with the urge to help those in need - you couldn't make me more proud of you.
• You are coming into your own. Argumentative? You betcha. Stubborn? Lord help the fact that you got both your dads and my temper. Reasonable? Yes. Thank goodness, yes. Even at your most upset, you can talk about how you feel and listen to how others feel.
• You have the best imagination ever. The best part about this? Watching you create things and exploring your own limits. Every day you create new games, draw new invented dinosaurs, and beg to read just a few more chapters of your books.
• You have conviction that rivals most. You explore your faith, ask for stories of Jesus, and believe without hesitation or fear.
• Oh man are you a riot! Our conversations are the most hilarious moments of my day. Where you come up with stuff I do not know. But your one liner responses crack me up. Your ability to keep everyone smiling is truly a gift.

 

I am blessed beyond measure to get to share this world with you kid. Happy birthday Squeedle Beetle! 



This summer...

 Aiden has mastered two wheels...

 

Is attempting to master a new set of wheels...

Has enjoyed MANY trips to our Natural History museum (have I mentioned enough times that it's our second home?)...

 

 

Enjoyed our annual trek with Scott, Sam, and Justin -this time in Taos. Hours of pool swimming (another thing he has mastered), water fights, river swimming, tadpole catching, fireworks watching, and smores eating.  How lucky can a gal be to not only get these guys in my world, but that he does too? :)

I'd say so far we've had a pretty successful go at this summer break.

Oh my Squeedle Bettle, I do love you so.

Why Aiden might just be the coolest kid ever...

I'm biased. But just to prove my point,  here is my current top ten reasons/examples why Aiden might just be the coolest kid ever...

1. You beg to put on a costume just about every single day. It is often we end up at the grocery store with you as a superhero. And guess what? Your public loves you... well at least the little, old ladies that think it's the cutest thing ever. And since your so modest, you make sure to kindly tell them it's just a costume. ;)

2. In the peak of my frustration at the grocery store last week I uttered the words "I literally told you one minute ago to stop running around like a crazy person." You asked me to define "literally."

3. Oh to be uninhibited! Seriously kid... just because we walked in the front door doesn't mean it's time to take off your pants. But it is quite hilarious that this is always the first debate we have to have when we come home.

4. You have the kindest heart I've ever seen. You make sure to mention at least once a week how you  "adore babies."

5. I'm pretty sure you're going to become the next Indiana Jones.

6. Your goals for yourself are higher than most adults. Last week you told me you were going to become a Paleontologist who designs computer systems to help find more bones.

7. You love your momma. When you came up with the aforementioned job, you told me you'd of course fly me around the world with you to see the dinosaur bones.

8. You have the sweetest, most faithful, Jesus loving heart. It makes me proud.

9. You feel deeper than most. I can't tell you how many times you have talked to someone who looked down, helped a kid up off the ground who fell, or prayed for kids and adults who are down and out.

10. You love my silly car games. Every day we mix animals to come up with new names. Your current favorite is mixing a snake with an elephant to make a snelefant. You laughed so hard you couldn't breathe.

Lately...

though we find ourselves rushing from baseball game to baseball game...

and are working hard to finish up the school year, whilst practicing some very important skills (yes with some Ironman and Bumblebee pizazz!)...

 

 

 

 

we are managing to de-stress by having epic battles of all sorts (Nerf gun, Lightsaber, "The Force," etc.) in our limited, free time.

We're also making sure to soak up precious baby cousin time, while she's still a baby.

And are certainly reveling in the few moments of free-time we have, while anxiously awaiting our coveted summer vacation.

 

Oh summer break - we are ever so ready for ya!

From the mouths of babes...

In case you needed a reminder of how absolutely hysterical our day to day is.

Conversation 1:
Aiden: Guess what? I made a new friend today!
Me: That's awesome!
Aiden: Yea! And do you remember how last year there was that girl Ayden in my class?
Me: Yes...
Aiden: Well that was my new friends girlfriend. But guess what? She got scratched and people blamed it on my friend - even though it wasn't! So now shes not his girlfriend anymore. He explained it all to me.

Conversation 2:
Aiden: When I grow up I'm going to create a sock measure.
Me: What will it do?
Aiden: It will measure people in socks. All the way up to the moon even!
Me: Can you explain to me why people will want to use this instead of tape measures?
Aiden: Well mommy, do you know how many socks high you are?

- You can't argue with this logic.

Conversation 3: Took place as he was snuggling into bed and still playing...
Aiden: Hurry hide!
Me: Oh no - from what?
Aiden: The evil spirits!
Me: Where did they come from?
Aiden: Baby Dave belongs to the evil spirits. He is theirs.
Me: Ummmmm......

Conversation 4:
Aiden: You know one day my nipples are going to get bigger. And purpler!


And if that wasn't enough fun - here is Aiden meditating at dinner...

 

 

Still at it...

Oh Aiden-dude... you truly are quite wonderful. Love you kiddo!

The Lessons We Learn

Aiden: Mommy what did Charlie and the Chocolate Factory teach me?
Me: What?
Aiden: What lesson did I learn?
Nate: What lesson do you think it was suppose to teach  you?
Aiden: I don't know.
Me: Well what happend with all the other children in the chocolate factory?
Aiden: They were bad.
Me: And what happend to Charlie?
Aiden: He was good, so he gets the chocolate factory.
Me: So what does that teach you?
Aiden: When you are good, you earn things.

(By the way, he is currently editing this post. True story.)

Snip-its of a six year old

Just a snipit of days with Aiden that need to be remembered. =0)

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SNIP-IT # 1
Me: Alright bud we need to get home so I can get ready for a wedding.
Aiden: Who's getting married?
Me: One of mommy's friends from work is going to marry a really nice lady.
Aiden: Oh. Hey mommy?
Me: Yes?
Aiden: Did you know that if your friend had a birthday every day he'd be dead by now. |
Me: Ummm yea I suppose that's true.
Aiden: Yea. It is.
__________________________________________________________
SNIP-IT # 2
Aiden (from the back seat of my car): Staring contest mommy- GO!
Me: Ummm no.

__________________________________________________________
SNIP-IT # 3
Aiden (upon receiving a Valentine's day card with five whole dollars in it): I am gonna give this money to our loose change box at the school for the school that got destroyed by a tornado.

(Yeup... all on his own, without a moments hesitation as to what he wanted to do with it. Can you say proud mama?)

__________________________________________________________
SNIP-IT # 4A few weeks before Christmas, at a restaurant, when a song with jingling bells comes on.

Aiden: OH NO! Is that Santa? My list isn't even ready yet!

_________________________________________________________
SNIP-IT # 5

This year we took the kiddos to the Polar Express in Durango. It was a really exciting experience , except for the fact that there was absolutely NO snow.

Aiden: Mommy? Did we really go to the North Pole?
Me: What do you think little man?
Aiden: Well I think we were supposed to go there in our imaginations...

Today

Today I am loved beyond measure, and have loved beyond limits. Today I have the joy of a toothless mouth (yeup 7 have disappeared). Today I have taught lessons to a child who is anxious to learn more. Today I have a kid who asked for just "one more book" before bedtime. Today I have a kid anxiously awaiting another Friday night Nerf battle. Today I have a kid whose hugs get tighter and tighter because he is growing. Today I have a child whose teacher is frustrated because she thinks he's a higher reader than he is testing and he needs to slow down. Today I have a kiddo whose faith is inspiring. Today, and every other day, I am ever so blessed.