The Moments a mom lives for. . .

This is one of those lump-in-your-throat-wish-you-could-freeze-time moments.  So during some down time in the "business" of selling refreshments  from the front yard the boys decided that "battling" with their Pokeman cards was a little more entertaining.  I love it when the boys do this.  It is the perfect combination of playing, imagination, cooperation, reading and math.  I have NO clue how the game is played.  They have made up all the rules themselves and it is very cool to eavesdrop while they play.  Mind you, I still don't get the object or rules but I do love hearing the discussions of what beats what and how many points remain.  I really love how enthusiastic Asher is and how loving and inclusive Aiden is when they play.

So as the boys "battled" our cute neighbor, Jared Green comes by.  He is 10ish years old, so of course, these younger boys are psyched to see him.  Well, it turns out Jared used to be into Pokeman cards and "has a ton of them he doesn't use anymore."  Off Jared goes to get his cards.  He comes back with a bunch of cards and the boys go wild!!!!  Jared is the total Rock Star as he divides up the cards equally among the 5 boys.  He also brought is old Pokeman binder that holds his cards.  The boys' eyes were as big as silver dollars.  Jared offered to sell it for "10 bucks."  Ade and Brock scattered to see if they had adequate funds.  I was smiling, knowing full well Ade was going to fall short.  

Well, next thing I know Ash is right in my face with the hugest grin (complete with red mustache) and this sparkle in his eyes.  It was the teeth clenched/eyes wide open excitement.  Ash. . ."MOM LOOK, LOOK!!!!!"  (He is holding the Pokeman binder) "AIDEN GOT THIS FOR ME!!" As he hugs the binder, "I never had a biner befoouur."  I looked back to see Aiden acting all nonchalant and "no big dealish."  He gives me this little 'awww shucks' wave of his hand and said, "Mom, Jared sold it to me for 3 bucks and Asher doesn't have his own binder, so I thought he should have one."  Then off he went to play with his buddies.  I could feel the dilation of vessels in my nose and eyes. . .must fight emotion and not embarrass kids.  I also had the fight the huge urge to go buy Aiden the entire stock of Star Wars/Indiana Jones toys and games.  you know, I thought that graduating from nursing school was gratifying.  But this sense of accomplishment blew that away.  I LOVE that Ade is learning empathy and generosity.  But I mostly LOVE the bond developing between these two.

Here is Jared helping Ash load the Pokeman cards in his new "biner."  Jared is such a sweet kid!  He was totaling entertaining those kids.

Check out the intensity on Asher's face as he loads his cards.

Here are my sweeties with their new goods!

And now the 'holy grail.'  The "biner" that almost made the mom cry!