Firsts

This weekend was one of firsts. We went to Saint Louis to party with my 90-something year old aunt who's been a nun for 75 years. It was Aidan's first time hanging out with a bunch of nuns, and they totally dug him. (As an aside, I can say from experience when visiting another of my aunt's who is a nun, that there are few things cooler than having a crabfest with nuns in Baltimore. I am not joking. If you ever have a chance you have to do it; it will blow your mind.) The nuns dug Liam and Brendan too, though many of them thought Brendan was a girl. He took it in stride. It was also Aidan's first time in a pool (I know!) and a shopping cart (I know!) and it was the first time Liam and Brendan swam around in the pool without holding on to me or Eric. (Let's be clear, they were wearing swim vests.) It was the first time Aidan was caught outside in an incredible downpour. We were at the Anheuser Busch brewery and the only reason we really went there was to see the Clydesdales. It turns out that you can take a free tour (plus $34 for three stuffed Clydesdales) and the first stop is the stables with the Clydesdales. En route there was an insane downpour, and while we were walking to the stables the wind was practically blowing us over. Then we got sequestered in the stables, so they brought out one of the amazing, huge horses and the dalmatians were running around and the kids totally loved it. (I was only a little worried that we might get stampeded if the booming thunder spooked the 2500 pound horses, but they were very calm.) And going back through the storm to the main building and getting soaked to the bone was "so awesome," said Liam. The trip made me realize that A. Brendan has come so so so far, since he was very good with only minor tired-related meltdowns and B. Aidan really does have a totally different life being the third child. In six days he will be one. Unlike Liam and Brendan by this point in their lives, he has never been on a plane (for God's sake Brendan flew to Ireland when he was 5 months old!) I already mentioned he had never been in a pool or a shopping cart, he's never been outside the Midwest, he's never been to a Wiggleworms class at the Old Town School of Folk music, or any series of classes for that matter. But hopefully he has as rich of a life because he has two adoring brothers who include him and watch him and dote on him. And at least now he can say he's been to St. Louis - a first for all three of them!




After the rain...

The Cutest Thing Ever, part II

I walked into the laundry room yesterday, and noticed that right inside the door, on the other side of the cat door, there was a whole collection of small toys. Aidan must be putting little toys in there through the door. Like how the Brady Bunch kept losing their things and then they found out their dog was stashing things in the doghouse.

Also, Aidan's new favorite thing to do is climb up onto the first step of the stairway, stick his feet straight out in front of him, and monitor whatever happens in the front room. Then, after a while he falls off the step on purpose, then climbs back up and falls off again on purpose. Repeat.

Imitation Is the Highest Form of...?

Brendan: When I grow up I want to work at two places. Number one, Orbitz. Number two, the library.

Liam: When I grow up I think we should all work somewhere where they do science.

Brendan: Actually, when I grow up I want to work at three places. Number one, Orbitz. Number two, the library. Number three, be someone who puts tattoos on. Number four, a bone treasure hunter.

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