Go Scrappers!

After several seasons of soccer, Aden's trying out baseball this season. And he's doing a great job! He hits the ball pretty well, and got the teams first run of the season (earning him the game ball!)

He still has a ways to go, but I'm very proud of Aden for trying new things. He's so brave.

The Pickle Parade

Aden and Ethan are lucky enough to get to ride in Lola's Lincoln every year during the Pickle Parade. They really do have their parade wave down now. We have two running traditions for St. Patty's Day - eating green desserts and riding in the parade.

After the parade, there was a street festival with food and entertainment. We thought we might get rained out, but it turned out to be a nice evening.

Ethan got his face painted like a... tiger?

Aden refused the face painting.

Ethan also got his picture taken with the Pickle.

Aden refused.

Then we got ice cream. 

Aden accepted.

Gryffindor

I'm not sure I mentioned our cat. Aden got Gryffindor (named after Harry Potter's "house" at school) for Christmas. He;s been wanting a cat for two years. Begging, pleading, making promises - anything to get a cat. And now he has one.

Gryff was a dumpster cat that we rescued at only 7 weeks old. He stunk... badly. It took several weeks and lots of bathing to get rid of that stink. He's a good looking cat and doesn't shed. His fur is very soft and he feels oh so huggable. The problem is, he bites.

All. The. Time.

Aden has been unable to cuddle or play with him because this cat is constantly biting! We kept thinking he'd grow out of it, get used to us, settle down. But it hasn't stopped. The problem is, at this point Aden is completely smitten. He loves this cat with everything he has and will not even THINK about getting another.

On the one hand, I'm glad he isn't so quick to toss one aside for another. I'm glad he has a heart for animals, and he really does a great job caring for Gryff. But on the other hand, I'm just so mad at this stupid cat for not giving Aden the compassion he wants. 

And then there are these tiny moments, like the one captured in this photo, that give me hope.