"Hey Katie?"

I've mentioned this a few times but in case you didn't know, I am the aunt to the stinkin' cutest nephew ever. He's 4 years old and is the spitting image of my oldest brother.

Brennan, Madeline and I are hanging out together all day today. Just like her mom, Madeline adores her cousin.

She thinks Brennan is the funniest person ever and Brennan is always very concerned that Madeline is doing OK. For example, we're going to the Children's Museum this afternoon and he already told me he "will protect Madeline from the dinosaurs because she was scared last time."

Melting my heart, that little guy.

Right now, he's sitting next to me, laughing at VeggieTales' "Jonah" with smeared peanut butter on one cheek because he wanted to clean himself up after lunch. I don't have the heart to wipe it in case I wipe away a tiny bit of that independent spirit. (Jenny, I promise I'll clean his face before we leave the house.)

Being the bright 4-year-old that he is, Brennan is in the "asking questions" stage and every question begins with, "Hey Katie?." So far, my favorites are:

1. "Hey Katie? Where do bulls go when they're not fighting in the bullring?"
2. "Hey Katie? Why do some people think Thanksgiving isn't a real holiday and don't decorate their house for Thanksgiving?"

I should mention these two highly unrelated questions were within 30 seconds of each other.

I'm not sure when Brennan grew up from the tiny baby I held in the hospital room to this inquisitive, caring, independent boy. But I sure do love him. Peanut butter cheek and all.