I LOVE this kid

Camden is such a cool kid. Really he is. Maybe I'm a bit biased... And it doesn't hurt when he tells me I'm a cool mom.

Sunday, he and I went out on a little date (thanks to Ryan for the idea, looking everything up, and for providing the funds). ;) It was all a total surprise for him; he thought he was joining me to run errands. He wasn't too thrilled, but when I said it was a chance for the two of us to hang out together, he was up for it. First stop was Borders, where he got the second and third books in the Percy Jackson series. He was stoked. When walking out, I asked if he thought the day could get any better. He thought not.

Until we parked in front of the theater. We went and saw Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief and shared some candy and a pop (yes, I DO allow these things occasionally...). He was so happy that while the movie was coming on, he leaned over and kissed me on the mouth. I mean, there were even people sitting behind us! And he's ten! How many ten-year-olds will kiss their mama like that out in public? (Mine will apparently.) :) Ever since his first day of kindergarten, I've wondered when he would stop kissing me and telling me he loved me in public. Still hasn't happened. (But I am sure to appreciate each occurrence, realizing that it could soon end.)

Then the other night, after complaining about one more food he had to eat but didn't like...he decided he liked it. Ha. (I love proving my child wrong. I'll have to try to post soon about how we do the food thing here. Not that it's anything too special.) The next day, yesterday, he was saying he was excited about what we were having for dinner...my mini meatloaves and roasted potatoes. Before I said anything, he remarked about how he knew what I was thinking...he used to HATE both of those. Very true. He then said, and I quote, "Apparently your method of getting me to eat and like foods works. You're the smartest mom ever."

He then added, "Except for maybe your mom." (Because, hello, she taught me all this!)

Here are a couple pics of Camden...who fell asleep after refusing to eat his dinner b/c it consisted of the meatloaves, mashed potatoes, and peas, none of which he liked at the time. He likes it all now, except for the mashed potatoes. While he does really like potatoes now...he can't stand mashed. I wonder how long I made him sit at the table before he fell asleep? Or maybe he cried so much he fell asleep? Can't remember. (I'm not mean, though, really.) :)

He was four-years-old here.

What a cutie! Even if he was refusing to eat his dinner...

I should post this recipe soon (the meatloaves). Mmmm...so yummy! I'll try to remember. And find the time. ;)

Jump to this morning... Camden had a two-hour delay with school because of some snow (we've had a very unusual amount of snow for North Carolina this year!), and my errands still had to happen, so he tagged along before school. When I dropped him off, after we said our goodbyes and he was walking away from the car, he turned around, grinned, and blew me a kiss.

Ah. I really love that kid.

Now, I'm off to write all of this down, date it, and possibly have him sign it to prove that he said/did all of this. He might be singing a very different tune soon! (The attitude is already kicking in, and with him just being ten...and knowing how I was when I was a teen...I know it can - and surely will - get much worse! I'm trying to prepare myself for it.) I might need a reminder of how sweet he really is under that occasional attitude. ;)