Celebrating Independence

Happy 4th of July! 

For the second year in a row, Justin and Kamden ran the Westerville Rotary 5K.  Justin says this may be the last year that Kamden gets to ride in the stroller for this run as he is getting heavier and heavier to push.  But he was still impressed with the time he ran it in.  I rode my bike uptown with Kadence in the tow in the trailer to watch them cross the finish line.  

The Hibbitt boys make a great team!

After the 5K, Kamden got to run in the kids race.  He was so excited to be able to show his speed and run with other kids. 

At the starting line

Look at that focus and determination

In the afternoon, we were able to continue with the 4th of July festivities by taking Kadence to her first Independence Day parade.  She enjoyed watching the floats and listening to the marching bands. 

We ended the day by attending the annual 4th of July Cookout at Power Steering Specialists with long-time friends and family.  Kamden enjoyed riding his bike and catching bubbles.  And Kadence was not fazed at all by the fireworks!

Moore family picture

Cruising

I don't know what is more cool...that Kamden loves driving his baby sister around in his car and she loves it, or that he is very protective of her, putting his arm around her as he cruises so she doesn't bump her head.  Either way, it is so awesome that they love being with each other!

Will I be this calm in 11 years when Kamden is driving off with his sister?

Kamden goes fishing

Justin, Kamden, and grandpaw went to Hoover for an afternoon of fishing.  There is nothing like 3 boys bonding in the great outdoors!

Kamden learned to drive the boat.

Grandpaw taught Kamden how to cast and reel the fish in.

Is there a speed limit on the water?

Kamden's 1st fish!

And another fish

Safety City

Kamden with Officer Dross

Kamden spent his first two weeks of June going to Safety City at Robert Frost.  He learned about bike safety, water safety, and gun safety.  He also learned when to call 9-1-1.  He was very proud to get his police badge the first week for knowing his phone number and address.  He got to ride a school bus to the fire station.  They traveled to station 113 and saw where the firemen slept and ate.  He was amazed that their kitchen had 3 refrigerators!  His favorite part of the two weeks was riding a bike around the "city" following all of the traffic laws!

Kamden and Brooks driving through the city.

Learning how to cross the street

Singing a safety song at Graduation

Graduation

Cousins at Safety City Graduation

Frankie the Fire Hydrant

PC, the Patrol Car, and Officer Peachey

Sparky

Love this pic with Officer Peachey

The Heart of Africa

It was a cloudy evening with a threat of rain, but we decided to go explore the new Africa exhibit at The Columbus Zoo.  And it was one of the best decisions.  There were very few people there.  We even got to park in the first spot in the first row!  And the animals were so active.  The Heart of Africa exhibit is awesome!  Camels, zebras, ostriches, cheetahs, lions, monkeys, and giraffes are the animals you will encounter.  Kamden loved playing the airplane that they have as part of the exhibit, and that allows you to get close to the lions.  A giraffe walked right in front of us to get a bite of hay....I could have reached my arm out and touched the top of his head! And Justin came face to face with a monkey who was intrigued by his camera.  It was so much fun!  And Kadence loved to laugh at all of the animals!!!

Two lions sleeping on the wing of the airplane.

Kadence looks like she is giving a lion roar!

Kamden's 5-year Doctor Appointment

Height:  43.25 inches

Weight:  40 pounds

 

Today was Kamden's 5-year doctor appointment.  It was definitely different from his other appointments.  They did a vision screening where he had to read a chart of different objects (flag, star, circle, etc) from down a hallway.  They also checked his hearing.  He passed the vision and hearing screens without any issues.  Then why doesn't he always hear when I ask him to do something...must be that selective listening. 

He had to get shots too.  Three of them to be exact.  We tried to prepare him, but it was still heart wrenching when he started screaming and crying as the nurse was giving him his shots.  I am so glad Daddy was there to help him and I go through it.  Daddy is always our rock!

Everything Kamden did today was to prepare him to start Kindergarten in the fall.  I can't believe how fast he is growing up.  He is a caring, fun-loving kid who is also very polite and well behaved.  He has the best memory, and can learn things very easily just by hearing about it.  Want to test him?  Give him a number and ask him which Nascar driver drives a car with that number.  Ask him what team a Nascar driver is on or ask him to read any race track off of a sheet of paper.  He can answer every single one of them....and he learned it all just by listening to and watching Nascar races.  I hope these skills stay with him as he goes through school. 

Field of Heros

This weekend marked the 6th year that Westerville has hosted the Field of Heros.  This is an opportunity to honor one's heros by purchasing one of 3.000 flags that are on display for the Memorial Day weekend.  In the past we have bought a flag to honor my grandfather who passed away in August 2009.  He served in the Air Force during World War II.  And Justin's mom bought him a flag three years ago to commemorate his rookie year as a Westerville Police Officer. 

Memorial Day 2009-Grandpa's Flag

My sister and I decided to honor Tammy who has always been one that we have looked up to as we have grown up.  She was always the most positive person around.  She is our personal hero, and one that we miss every day. 

Mom, the kids and I with Tammy's flag

This year's Field of Heros included a special tribute to Public Safety Personnel.  Kamden and I decided this was an appropriate year to honor our personal hero, my husband and Daddy to our two Ks.  And, my in-laws decided it was a good year to honor me, the wife of a police officer....Thank You!

Our hero!

If you have never been to the Field of Heros, make sure you check it out next Memorial Day weekend.  It is awesome to see the 3,000 flags. 

Corporal Greg LeValley's rendition of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes brought me to tears at the Closing Ceremony.