Tuesday, August 28, 2007

A Kid at Heart

Our new house is about half a mile from the boys' elementary school and the kids have loved taking advantage of the sidewalk that goes the whole way from our house to school. They ride their bikes up and enjoy the playground. One of Joshua's greatest joys has been the small collection of fire crackers he has gathered at the playground which someone else left behind.
Today one of Joshua's friends came over to play and Joshua was anxious for Brian to get home because he wanted his friend to be able to see the fire crackers explode. When it looked as if Brian wasn't going to be home before his friend left, Joshua begged me to light a fire cracker. I did, the boys squealed with delight, and I enjoyed their response. Then Brian got home and the real show began.
Joshua ran up to Brian and asked him to pleeease light more fire crackers, which he readily agreed to. Matthew joined them outside, so Brian and the three boys yelled with excitement as another cracker exploded. With the next *bang* there was laughter and I learned it was because the noise scared a squirrel in the back yard so much that it jumped, dropped its walnut, and ran in the other direction. At that, the boys called Elizabeth and her friend up to see the show, and Brian came into the kitchen where I was making dinner. (And watching the show through the window!)
Brian saw an empty soup can on the counter, grabbed it and said, "Perfect!" Just as quickly as he'd appeared, Brian was back outside with his little following right by his side. I heard him say, "Now we'll make a rocket!"
Leaning over the counter and peering out the window, I saw what he was up to. Brian had put the can over the fire cracker, with just the wick peering out from underneath. With the kids safely behind him (I'm sure he knew his over-protective-always-worried-someone-will-get-hurt-are-you-sure-you-should-be-doing-this?-wife was watching!) Brian lit the wick and jumped back for 3-2-1-Blast off! The fire cracker exploded, the can flew into the air, and all the observers hollered with delight. I can't say for sure, but I think the "kid" who experienced the greatest amount of pleasure in seeing the "rocket" take flight was none other than my beloved husband.
Yes, this evening I believe I caught a glimpse of Brian when he was nine years old. It was wonderful!


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12 comments:

Angela Baylis said...

Such fun!!!!!
I also have a husband who is a kid at heart! He LOVES to have fun! It's great when we get to see our family making good memories! Enjoy them because ...IT GOES TOO FAST!

Take care and enjoy this last bit of Summer!!!!
Love,
Angie xoxo

kreed said...

I am freaked out by all things exploding! I love fireworks when someone else is lighting them but am always thoroughly convinced I will blow some fingers off if I even touch one!

Corrie said...

What fun memories!!! Your children will remember that for a long time!
Are you all settled? Please don't say you are unpacked because I moved 7 weeks ago and am still unpacking....

Angi said...

Glad you all are making memories already at your new home!

Annie said...

How fun.
Bailey bought fireworks this year that were water proof somehow? Anyway there is a little creek at the edge of our property and the road goes over the creek. He sat on the edge of the road for hours at a time dropping those firecrackers in the water so they would pop under the bridge. So much fun. I had to go out for the excitement too.
Don't you just love seeing your hubbie play with the kids, heartwarming!

momteacherfriend said...

Ah yes!

Anonymous said...

I remember doing that with my dad! I bet they all had such a wonderful time!

Anonymous said...

I agree. Some of the things I do is ... well, for me. My kids are my audience.


Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/

Jenny said...

I love that! I think my hubby looked and acted like Opie off of Andy Griffith. Red hair and all!

Robin Green said...

What a fun story--there's nothing greater to me than seeing my hubby have fun with the kids.

Anonymous said...

They really never do grow up. They are always little boys at heart.

It's OK to be WEIRD! said...

What a great story! I can totally see the looks of delight on ALL those faces, even a grown man and his over-protective-...-watching-from-the-window-wife! Great memories! I hope we can pick a slightly less explosive way of making family memories together, though. LOL!