You Gotta Love a Theme!

For Aiden, the theme of July was zoo month! In the beginning of the month, he attended two different camps for two weeks where he was able to interact with all the animals on a more personal level. Usually when we picked him up that meant we were staying for a while.


Audrey loves going there, too. However, her M.O. is a little different than Aiden's which is to see every single animal in the zoo. Hers is to run, run and run some more! Her favorite is the tigers in their new habitat while Aiden's favorite changes all the time. Lately it has been the elephants and baby Scotty.



Both of them love the goats. Audrey was a little apprehensive at first, declaring " I don hap too," but quickly warmed up to the idea when she saw big brother doing it. Outside the goat area is a great beat-up VW van for the kids to play in. Audrey loves to be in the driver's seat...sounds kinda like Pop, huh?




And just when I think MY kids are big, I see them next to the gorillas.



This year the zoo has added a splash park called Glacier Run. Both Aiden and Audrey had a blast! Aiden's only complaint is that he misses the otters. Have no fear, though! They will be back soon with a brand new home, along with the polar bears and seals.





On Friday night Aiden and Travis got to spend the night at the zoo! Aiden got to pet...

a chinchilla

a snake

and a lizard.

That night they went on a walk and got to see the animals all riled up and ready to eat. The wolves and snow leopard were pacing, not something you get to see during the day!




They tie-dyed shirts,

created their own bookmarks with animal stamps

and decorated a box to contain the lion's breakfast. In the morning they watched the lion's rip open the boxes to reveal their meal: meatballs!

Aiden loves all the "behind the scenes" activities he's gotten to be involved with through the zoo programs this summer. I imagine more is in his future, as long as it is not with the roaches or the snakes!

Greatness Thrust Upon Him

About three years ago, when I was still teaching, a new student walked into my AP Sophomore English class. Don't ask how but I knew he was a special person. Kristen Knighten is his name, all around awesomeness is his game.


I loved having Kirsten in class because he always exceeded my expections, which were ridiculously high for an AP class already. His creativity blew me away so much that, when it came time to present his Julius Caesar project, I told our Theater teacher, Amy Ritchie, that she really needed to see him. Amy and Kirsten talked and that was the beginning of his career in theater.



Kirsten won our school's Shakespeare monologue competition (with the "unkindest cut of all" monologue from JC) and went on to the regional competition to be recognized by the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. He was invited to be part of Shakespeare in Central Park modern production of Twelfth Night. Pretty awesome accomplishment!




On Thursday July 17, several teachers from Waggener, along with many of his peers, met in Central Park to watch Kirsten's professional debut. As if watching Shakespeare outdoors amongst the stars being serenaded by the crickets isn't incredible enough, it couldn't trump seeing Kirsten wowing the audience as the Duke. I am so proud of him and know that I'll be seeing many more of his productions in the future!


A big thanks to Amber for risking arrest to get these pictures!

Summer potpourri

So many small things seem to be slipping through my fingers these days, like the precious memories I've recorded by camera yet remain untouched in the abyss of the "My Pictures" folder on the computer. I swear I am going to print them and change out some old photos!

Looking through the latest to fall into the black hole are some from 4th of July weekend. On the actual day we celebrated with my dad's family, Kenny and Barbara, out in Crestwood. The weather was rainy off and on but the company was great! Aiden even almost tolerated the fireworks this year! He watched from the kitchen and even asked Noni to "put them on pause" when he had to use the bathroom! Audrey was not phased. She pranced around with us in the viewing gallery.




This holiday brings back wonderful memories. My grandparents (dad's parents) always held the 4th in their backyard. We would play volleyball or croquet and swing in the tire swing until it finally got dark enough for fireworks, or the adults grew tired enough of me and my brother saying "Is it time yet? Is is time yet?" Big Kenny would always throw firecrackers under the chairs of his sisters, Chere and Audrey. The grin on his face when they jumped out of their lawn chairs is forever imprinted in my memory. His son, Little Kenny, is a chip off the old block. He has always gotten the best fireworks. As a child I looked forward to seeing Kenny's car pull up to my grandmothers because I knew his trunk was full of firey goodness! Every year he outdoes himself and the "grand finale" blows me away every time. I look forward to this holiday every year for these reasons.

On Saturday the 5th we ventured to Beth and Donnie's for some barbecuing and cornhole playing. Whenever we are able to get together with them I always think, "why don't we do this more often?" With kids' schedules and work schedules I guess it just gets tough. While Donnie played the roll of grill master, the adults had nice time to chat and watch the kids play in the yard.

Whoever invented sprinklers should win a Novel prize because I've never seen a kid be able to resist one. Brock and Aiden shot the sprinkler at the other kids. They all loved the playhouse and the bubble gun, too!




If Aiden had to chose one person to love in this world it would be Abby. These two just click! Aiden even had to get a sippy cup like Abby's because, "I love her and her cup is cool."


The night was topped off with a group bath 5 kids deep. They had a blast! Times like these when our kids get to play together make me realize how lucky we are to have a wonderful and supportive family.

And my has there been a ton of swimming this year! My children have legally morphed into fish!
Aiden can touch the bottom of the 8 foot with his hand and do a sommersault and a handstand! he can float on his back really well so I am coaching him to be an Olympic back-stroker. I may also be teaching him a few synchro moves too but that is supposed to be a secret!





Audrey is a much more delightful swimmer this year. Last summer she didn't want us to hold her and she refused to get in the floats we bought for her. This year she is doing awesome! She will jump in from the side, put her face all the way in and attempt to swim on her own. She is also trying to dive when she sits on the side. She is also a great floater so synchro may also be in her future!



I know Travis is counting the days until he doesn't have to swim anymore but the rest of us love it! Maybe one day he will convert into a swimmer but until then we'll make fun of him for being cold all the time.

Caution: Silliness ahead

I think Aiden's mission this summer is to be as silly as possible. He is having a great time! He is a fish in the water, even learning handstands today. He loves riding his bike and going on walks. He has even developed a new obsession that battles his love of animals: Star Wars. The boy obsessed! Every day he asks to go look for new Star Wars toys at Target or Walgreen's or K Mart or wherever he can get his SW fix!

This summer he has also gone to Friends summer camp and is in the middle of zoo camp. He is having a ball at both. At the zoo, he is getting to pet some stuff Trav and I wouldn't dare touch (me the cock-a-roaches and Trav the snakes) and will now ride the train and carousel. Every morning he asks what he gets to pet and cannot wait to get there. I think he'd spend the night at the zoo if he was allowed.

This first picture is when he was showing off at t ball. Aiden always wanted everyone to watch him. Right before this picture he gave us all a huge grin and stuck up his glove. Overall he loved playing and I can't wait until next year!

Every time I think I have his Halloween costume hidden it makes his way back into his costume repertoire. We had just finished playing in the sprinkler and eating dinner. I asked Aiden to let the dog in while I got everything ready for bedtime. I look outside the kitchen window and there was Aiden the wolfman by the sprinkler. He said that the wolfman likes to play in the sprinkler, too. Who knew?


Like I mentioned earlier, Aiden cannot get enough of Star Wars. Besides looking for new Star Wars people he is always trying to change into his shirts if he is not already wearing one. If he has one on, it takes an act of Congress to get it off that night. He will sneak and change in the middle of the night, too. He loves to draw C3PO and R2D2. This Magna Doodle picture is of the two (C3PO on the right and R2D2 on the left). Every time he draws them I am amazed at the improvement. (Note the shirt is Star Wars)


Aiden's teacher at Friends told me of his love of the dress up area. He loved he scrubs and the wizard costumes best but was not picky about his outfit. Around the house he loves to steal our shoes and always finds old Halloween costumes, even if they don't fit. This time he found Audrey's new dress up Sleeping Beauty costume she got for her birthday ("Roarer" is what she calls Aurora). He insisted on wearing it to Noni and Pop's for the birthday cookout on Sunday and that we take a picture before we go. When he is on his first date 72 years from now and I whip this out he will regret that decision.

I am so proud of Aiden. Lately he has made so much progress! He is learning so much, communicating so well, and really turning into a fine young man. He is so friendly and compassionate. We always get compliments in the store for his manners and he cannot stand to hear anyone cry. These characteristics make is so easy to fall in love with his sweet little picket fence smile and blue eyes, as many people do. Plus he gives the best hugs ever!

As trite as it sounds, it seems like just yesterday I was putting Aiden's first Spiderman in his hospital bassinet. Now he is riding a bike, getting ready for kindergarten at St. Matthews and turning 6 in 2 months. Many times we don't give him enough credit for all the great things does. I love him truly, madly, deeply.

My Little Birthday Girl!

Two years old? Really??? I can't believe it! July 6, 2006? I guess that is right. My adorable little prancy-pants. My sweet little jellybean.

This year we had Audrey's party early on June 28 since her birthday weekend fell on the weekend of the July 4th when many of our friends and family would be out of town. The loose theme of her party was yellow flowers, her favorites to spy on our daily walks. She got yellow roses and there were yellow daisies on her cake and cupcakes except for two: one with a black sports car for Pop and one with U of L for godfather Craig. All three share the same birthday! She did better with the candles this year. Last year she burned her finger on the candle. This year she gladly blew out her candle with no injury.

Lucky for Aiden that Audrey wanted nothing to do with opening the gifts. She was happier playing outside and swinging. I can't say that I blamed her, though. It was cooler outside than inside since our air went out the night before.

On her actual birthday, we cooked out and swam at my mom and dad's house. Noni made cakes for her and Pop so they got to blow out candles again. Nothing huge, just some fun family time with the the parents, Uncle Billy and Angus...the newest addition! Pop got a new book by Angelo Dundee, a bi-plane ride and a Cars clock.

Getting to know Audrey for these past two years has been such a blessing. From her first breath and with every one to follow, I can feel my heart grow more in love with this wondrous little girl.
her unbridled joy is evident with every little prance, every little smile, every single kiss, every "lob oo mommy." I feel as though I have known her forever and I can't wait to see what the future holds for this loving, joyful young lady.