Happy 8th, Aiden!

The Weekend of Birthday

On June 22nd, Aiden turned 8 years-old. The following weekend we had big plans for some partying:

• Saturday = friends to eat icecream Clown Cones and open gifts with.
• Sunday= drive to the Oregon Coast for camping by the beach (complete with tents and fire and s'mores).
• Monday = explore tidepools, search out sea lions, get clam-digging and crabbing lessons from a Park Ranger (complete with "Junior Ranger" badges visible in the last photo below), culminating in a trip to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Before we left we told him our plans:

• Aiden (8): It's like a weekend of birthday!

Happy Birthday, son. It was one of the most fun weekends we've ever had. You're a good boy and we love you so much. Let's do it again next year!

Archie @ 6 Months

Smooching

While her dad was kissing her mom:

• Chloë (2.5): Oh Mommy, Daddy loves you!

Tooth Fairy Computer

Continuing the theme of when the Tooth Fairy forgot him the other night:

• Sarah: Maybe the Tooth Fairy will come tonight.
• Aiden (7.75): Yeah, if she doesn't stay on the computer all night.

Tooth Fairy Dream

We (Mom and Dad) forgot that the tooth fairy was supposed to come:

• Aiden (7.75): *with an expectant look* Umm, the tooth fairy forgot me last night.

Then later, before bed:

• Aiden: Chloë said she's gonna dream about Cinderella. I'm going to dream about what the tooth fairy looks like. *Again, with an expectant look*

Tooth Fairy

Upon losing another tooth and while handing it over to me with a matter-of-fact, non-ironic, expectant look:

• Aiden (7.75): Here Dad, it's another tooth for the Tooth Fairy tonight.

Work Costume

Chloë (2.5) has a Multnomah University -branded polo shirt. It's exactly the same style I often wear on my more casual days to work.

• Chloë: Look Daddy, I have a costume for your work too!

The Bomb & The Dust Speck

By: Aiden Leary (7.75)

I can't wait to see how this story ends.

Big Reader

• Sarah: *reading "Fox In Sox"*
• Chloë (2.5): *listening along, yet encouraging the good reading* That's right, Mommy!

In The Toddler Potty

• Chloë (2.5): Clean my poop now, Daddy.

Toy Aisle

With all the dolls and doll supplies:

• Robert: There you are!
• Chloë: I'm just looking, Daddy.

Coffee Party

Chloë (2.5) loves to have tea parties, but to get Daddy to the table, she apparently knows to change the menu up a little.

• Chloë: Oh Daddy, you came! Sit down here. *Hands me a little mug while patting a chair big enough for me.*
• Chloë: *pouring from a little carafe* Here Daddy, here's your coffee!
• Robert: Mmm, thank you.
• Chloë: *pouring and spooning from little containers* You're welcome! Here's your cream! Here's your sugar!

It was delicious.

Favorite Sport

• Robert: Aiden, what's your favorite sport to play?
• Aiden (7.75): Ummm...
• Robert: Basketball, soccer, baseball...?
• Aiden: I think I like swordplay the best.

Note: Aiden has never fenced.