Wandering Boy

Yesterday while visiting my in-laws we headed out to birch bay for the afternoon. Aiden was super excited to go because his grandparents had just bought two single kayaks.  Prior to this he and his cousin had to go out in one of two two man kayaks that was quite heavy and required them to paddle together.   Once he was on the water he was ready to go impatiently waiting for me to head out on one of the bigger kayaks as the adult supervision on the water.  Once we got out there he "wandered" as far as he could in his single kayak to explore what was around him.  And it made me smile for this is a trait.

Aiden likes to explore and is pretty independent on looking for things on his own.  And a bit oblivious to where he is going because he's intent on his exploration.  I watched Aiden cruse off ahead of me and away from me as we were out on the water and found myself doing what we do anywhere we go-call him back closer and remind him to come or go a certain direction.  Once he got back to the beach he wandered off oblivious to how far to check out some tides and needed to gently be called back a bit closer.

I love my wandering boy and his intense curiosity for the world around him.  I've watched as his inquiries into the things around him have drawn him more confidently away from me was we head to the zoo, the park, the beach-out into the world-away from my side.  But then he still returns and holds my hand to chat away about the jelly fish he found, or to help find the python at the zoo, or to see the bug he found at the park.  As he grows beyond being ten, his explorations will only get further away and more  I hope he continues to go exploring but still seeks out his mom to see what he has found.

Kids update (very delayed)

So the goal I set of keeping an updated blog went out the window.  Hopefully I'll be able to do better.  Here's a brief update on the kids

Aiden-
At ten he's growing both physically (and for lack of a better term) mentally.  The tip of his head is now a hair above my chin.  My prediction from when he was younger that I'd have a ten year old taller than my 5'3" hasn't come true but I sure am not to far off the mark.  Aiden is still my inquisitive kid with 20 questions a day, desiring to learn about anything and everything.  He loves to read and tease his sister.  In general he is a pretty fantastic big brother.  This year he is eagerly awaiting to start 5th grade.  This has two exciting positives for him.  Aiden gets to join band-where he'll be playing the trumpet like his dad-and join robotics club.  I love this sweet boy.

Marianna-
My four year old is quite the force of wills.  Mari is becoming quite assertive in letting the world-and most frequently her brother- what she's thinking.  She adore Littlest Pet Shop toys and could play by the hours with them.  Recently Mari has begun to test the waters quite successfully riding a two wheel bike with training wheels.  She loves to be read too and tease her brother.  She adores her big brother and spending as much time with him as possible.  This next year she will be going to preschool and is very excited.  She's eagerly looking forward to going to school like her big brother (and probably spending less time with mom).  I adore her not so little personality.