Aidans Field Trip with Daddy

Ethan is attending a field trip with Aidans class today. He is riding the bus as a chaperone and will be responsible for a handful of kids at the Childrens Museum downtown where the destination is. Aidan is very excited to have Daddy there as usually it is me or a grandparent because Daddy usually has to work. He took a personal day for this and a few other things but this obviously is a big deal. So when I was getting ready to leave this morning Ethan and Aidan were weedwacking together. Ethan with his "real" toy and Aidan with his goggles and "real to him" toy. I told Aidan to have fun today and I can't wait to hear about it when I get home. I wonder if Aidan is going to mind sharing Ethan with some other kids from his class. I guess I will find out later today!

Growing Up

Ethan and I wanted to surprise the kids yesterday when they got off the bus. We got their bathing suits and towels all ready. A snack was available for them as soon as they got in the house. The sprinkler was all set. It was a beautiful, 80 degree day and running in the sprinkler is just one of those childhood pleasures.
They both got off the bus and the first thing Maddie asks is if she can go play with her friends. No sprinkler for her. Aidan is left watching his sister walk the road to the Millers house down around the bend. I ask him if he would like to go in the sprinkler and his reply is "nah." He hops on his bike and waits at the end of the driveway hoping a "friend" passes by. It happens and Aidan has his friend, Matthew, to play with too. Noone wanted to go in the sprinkler today. No too long ago this would have been a huge hit. I have to accept the fact that my kids are growing up and I am not too happy about it. Maybe today will be a sprinkler day---I can keep my fingers crossed!

Its Always Mother's Day

Came in the door after grocery shopping last night and the kids come running, not necessarily because they are so happy to see me, they know I usually have a little "surprise" for them most times. Aidan's first question is "what did you bring home for me?" I tell him "lots of food." He is not amused. Maddie quickly tells me she has another Mother's Day gift for me and pulls it out of her backpack. It was a little photo book that she made in school and she was so proud of it. Her smile is always so big and she is a genuinely happy girl. I was extremely touched by the gift and told her so. Now back to Aidan, he continued to rummage through the Meijer bags only to find lots of food, like I said. I told him I would look for his "surprise." Both of them were given goggles for bathtime and swimming in the next month or so. They put those goggles on and looked so silly it made Ethan and I laugh so hard. Mothers Day is everyday and I am so happy to be their MOM!

Mornings

This morning Ethan had to leave early to tutor. Now if the kids sleep in (which happens oh so infrequently) they are in great moods in the morning. Funny how the kids moods set the tone for the day. Maddie was up by 6:45 and requested pancakes for breakfast (fav) and shortly thereafter Aidan gets up and quietly announces "good morning" to the both of us and starts with his breakfast. I enjoy feeding my kids. They sit at their stools and I stand across from them and we talk about what the day has in store for us. Sometimes neither of them are anxious for school that day and other days both of them are excited. As we near the end of the school year I must say we are all looking forward to the "break" in routines a little bit.
Maddie was telling me how she doesn't think its fair that her friend, Heather, got 3 zuu zoo pets and didn't have to pay for them and how Aidan got his even though he didn't pay for his yet either. I told he is earning his through chores and doing extra work with his letters and numbers. I tell her often that life isn't fair.
Aidan starts to complain that his belly hurts and I remind him that tomorrow he goes to Grammy's and can rest there but if he stayed home from school he would have to stay in bed (couch) and not be allowed to play. He thinks that through and doesn't say much more about his belly.
At the bus stop both kids hug and kiss me and off they go onto the bus. They grow up way too fast! Luckily those kisses are still available for their "momma" even in front of the neighbors. I know my time is limited!!!