Our Little Knight

Aaron is our knight. I don't even remember when he entered the knighthood, though I'm guessing it was about the time he gained a baby brother...

It started with swords. He LOVES swords. We put a $1 nerf sword in his stocking at Christmas and it was his favorite toy for months -- and eventually fully encased in duct tape until it could no longer be held in one piece.

Then, Josh crafted swords and shields for both boys from cardboard boxes. Those have lasted much longer, though they have accumulated enough duct-tape to fix a flat tire.

Aaron is always talking about (and imitating) knights that have a "sword in their belt" or on their backs, and loves when I follow suit. Sometimes a lincoln log in my pocket will suffice, but I once answered the door with a nerf sword tied to my back with my bathrobe belt (Aaron's design, see pic).

A friend's babysitter was at the door, and I asked her to take a picture - which I just found.

All of these swords are of course employed in quite a bit of fencing. This morning between breakfast and church, I heard Aaron call out, "Somebody sword-fight me!"

Noah and I found a treasure trove of PlayMobil knights at a consignment sale a couple years ago, and Aaron has adopted them as his own, with special fondness for the knight "with the golden sword" (not pictured here).

When we're printing coloring pages, Aaron always wants the same guy - a non-threatening though well-armed knight with "a bow-and-arrow in his hands, a sword in his belt, and arrows on his back." That's his description, word-for-word, every time.

Aaron woke on his 4th birthday to find a knightly suit of armor waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He's been carrying the "golden sword" all day in his "belt" (shorts), of course.

Even as I started this post, he was sitting on the couch, holding three swords, and later wearing the coveted "golden sword in the scabbard in my belt."

And lest you think Isaac is too young for all the fun, Aaron often ensures that he's well prepared should the need arise for him to defend himself.

Finally, what do I think about all this chivalry running around our house? About this obsession with historical figures known for their character, selflessness, courage, compassion, and honor? Yeah, I'd say it could be worse... ;)