Ring Bearers to Be

Dentist, Etc.

Aidan made his second trip to the dentist today. He was a little trepidacious toward the thought of a teeth cleaning last time around but was cool with the strawberry flavored "toothpaste" and the "'spinny' toothbrush" today. He also donned these fly Spider-Man shades while under the light and got his teeth counted and painted (fluoride).

During our shopping afterwards Kellen pointed at a biker looking guy at the local fast food joint and shouted, "Who's that dude?" He then segued immediately into the chorus of the freecreditreport.com song. Random? He told me earlier this week that he was looking forward to seeing Allison, Steve, Grammie, Papa D and RoboCop this weekend.

Kellen is all into inquiring about strangers. Earlier in the day he pointed at the lawn mowing neighbor and shouted, "Who's that guy?" and earlier in the shopping expedition asked, "Who's that kid?" in regard to a fellow youngster.

We also witnessed another youngster acting up and I said to Aidan, "You're a good kid Aidan." He asked, "Why do you always tell me that when some other kid is being bad?"

Who Said That?

We were navigating the aisles at the local department store last week when someone’s voice came from the overhead speakers. Not knowing who was speaking to him from the heavens, Kellen looked up and shouted, “Who said that?” I tried to explain what it was with some assumed success and we went about our shopping.

I’m not sure if he saw the reaction he got and decided to milk it for more laughs (which would not be atypical) but he’s been doing it again…a lot…over the last two days.

Yesterday Rachel and Aidan ran into a store as Kellen and I waited in the car. Someone used their automatic locks and their car chirped. That elicited another “Who said that?” Then it became anything and everything including minor noises around the house that drew out this response.

As I watching a suspenseful movie in the dark of late last night I couldn’t help but chuckle thinking if Kellen was being cinematically stalked he’d simply spend the 90 minutes constantly shouting “Who said that?” into the dark corners and shadows.

Afternoon on the Water

Kellen’s (Sur)prises

The following scenarios have been occurring on a daily basis during recent weeks.

Kellen (with hands hidden behind his back): Dada…I have a prize for you.

Me: What is it?

Kellen (revealing his cup): I need a drink.

…

Kellen (with hands hidden behind his back): Dada…I have a prize for you.

Me: What is it?

Kellen (revealing a DVD): Let’s watch a movie.

The “prize” is a surprise. Apparently he thinks adding suspense to something he will enjoy thoroughly makes it worth celebrating. I guess that makes it worthy of (sur)prise status.

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Summer Sprinkles

Finally the "is it warm enough?" question got a "yes" answer.

The video highlights

A.J. and Mr. Scott (and Miss Bethany) came over the check things out.

Two of the three kids were instantly willing to challenge the waterpillar.

Guess how much longer the seat of Scott's pants remained dry?

Aidan tames the bug.

Friendly City Days

Last year a friend of ours brought us out to Friendly City Days in his neighboring town. We had a good time and returned to hit the pork chop dinner this evening. I must say the pork chops were mmm mmm mmm good (one mmm for each one I consumed). I will be tracking down some of that seasoning and despite the state troopers guarding the shakers I have some leads.

We hit the midway after eating, Aidan armed with a fistful of tickets compliments of our friend Bob. As we prepared to climb to the top of the Fun Slide, Kellen decided he wanted to make the ascent with us. I eyed the protector of the slide having already paid our entry and asked if I could take the tot with me. He agreed. That's a free ride people! Kellen was not as anxious to share the experience once we reached the summit. After three fluttering hearts reached the bottom Kellen was not thrilled, Aidan (I was told) had a look of great concern on his face and I was just happy we all maintained some level of contact with the slide as Kellen rode on my lap and I guided Aidan (in the lane next to me) with one arm

Our next stop was the Dizzy Dragons. As the other three dragons spun whimsically around ours revolved but did not rotate. Despite an effort that earned me strains in both arms ours would not budge. As the keeper of the dragons came around I commented that ours would not spin. He mumbled something about the brake sticking and the need to get the maintenance man over. As much as I appreciated him sharing his to-do list with us I was seeking a second round in a new reptile. He looked at me and said, "the ride has ended". I looked back and told him, "I paid to spin" and won that battle. Our second ride was lengthy, filled with squeals and semi-nauseating. Perfection!

Rachel then took the boys for a more casual and less drama filled ride on the carousel. It was the perfect ride for Kellen because an accompanying adult was permitted to stand guard and make sure he did not escape.

Aidan took a final turn on the wheelie-popping, vroom-vroom sounding motorcycles. I smiled politely at the guardian of the two-wheelers when he suggested all the driver seats were filled but Aidan could jump in the passenger seat of another kid's cycle. I knew Aidan had his eye on the Spider-Man cycle so we waited.

The boys and Bob then spent some time playing games earning a plush four-legged duck (trust me), two Nemo-like fish and a sweet stuffed tiger. We did not attempt to score the amazing Travelocity looking gnome below but I deemed it picture worthy.

We had a great evening. Rachel and the boys are likely headed back for the parade on Sunday while I tend to previously scheduled business. They will undoubtedly return with a metric ton of candy after enduring 83 small town parade princesses and homemade floats constructed around pulled trailers. Enduring the barrage of local royalty is worth the haul of freebies.