It's been over 3 months since I've posted, way too long. Ben, Becca, and (especially) I really enjoyed the end of the summer with me being off from work until after Labor Day. Similar to the first half of August, the last half included a few trips to the farm, including at least one where we "slept 2 times" there, mostly at Ben's suggestion. Ben continued to really enjoy the pool throughout the summer up until Labor Day, the last day it was open for the season, and then a couple more times at Grandma Nita's on warm days in September. He continued to get better in the water, divng for his torpedoes or other toys and jumping off the diving board with no help from me, just his life jacket. One afternoon, we joined Lara at her neighborhood pool for a change of scenery. We all had a great time, partly because it was something new. But Ben also liked that they had a snack bar. I made the mistake of suggesting that we try jumping off of the diving board, which our pool doesn't have, but the lifeguard informed us that Ben couldn't jump off using his life jacket. He was all ready to take it off and jump completely unassisted, but with 11 ft deep water, I wasn't about to let that happen. Ben was so upset about it, crying so much. I felt so sorry for my little guy...he wanted more than anything to jump off of that diving board. He was ready to go to Grandma Nita's pool right then and there to get the chance to jump off one! Becca is really enjoying the water too, usually with the orange floatie we inherited from Henry around her chest. She sometimes resists wearing it, but once she has it on, she can be pretty independent paddling around by herself.
The month of September meant back to "school" after a month off, for both Ben and Becca. Becca fell right back into her routine in Mrs. Dawn's class. She would cry many days after being dropped off, but would cheer up after just a few minutes. Each day we get a report about how good a day she has. Ben went right into a new class when he got back, leaving Mrs Katrina and Ms Sasha after practically a full year in Preppers, and entering Preschool 1 along with the rest of his classmates. It was always so cute how Ben identified with being a "prepper", and would often refer to himself as one. This was the first time though that he wasn't in class with is best friend William, who just made the age cut for Preschool 2. I'd been thinking about looking into other schools for Ben. I wasn't totally thrilled with his teacher and the fact that he was already away from William made the decision a tad bit easier to move him to Primrose, where I'd heard really good things from another TLE family that had moved there during the summer. Ben enrolled in Primrose School right after we returned from our late September trip to Disney World (which warrants its own post entirely!). He had a great first day in his new class with Ms Slockbower and Ms Jones. The 2nd day was a rough drop off though, which the teachers weren't so surprised about after the novelty wore off. Probably within the first week, he started talking about his new friend Myles, whose table Ben was assigned to, at least for that week. His teachers said they hit it off immediately, playing together in the classroom and on the playground. Over 2 months into school at Primrose, Ben almost exclusively talks about Myles, similar to how he only talked about Willam at TLE. I'm happy that Ben has a close friend, but concerned sometimes that he appears to be so exclusive with one other boy. He mentions Lukie, Joseph, and has once mentioned Cooper, so hopefully he is also making friends with them. He claims he has no girls in his class, even telling me that Claire wasn't in his class. I know it's majority boys, but there are a few girls in there with him. Seems that he's spending all of his play time doing "boy" stuff.
Becca turns 2 in 2 weeks. It seems just a short time ago that she was turning 1, what a fast year! She's saying a limited number of words...far fewer than I think Ben was saying at that age...but then she does have Ben that may be speaking for her. She likes to say Mama, Dada, and Bay (Ben)...and can also say milk and juice.
There has been an abundance of funny things coming from Ben lately. He is so much fun to talk to and has some very cute things to say from his very limited and very literal perspective. Once when attempting to teach him his right side from his left, I pointed out which arm was his "right arm", after which he pointed to his other arm and asked "is this my wrong arm?" One afternoon while driving, I looked up in the sky and commented that "we have some rain clouds on our hands", to which he said, "no they're in the sky." He's very quick to correct me when I've mispoken in his view, one recent example is when I referred to there being dirt on the dog's clothes in the story we were reading, and he pointed out that it was really mud. Speaking of books, when reading some of this favorites, Ben still shares that he wants to "jump in the book" or "be in the picture", which I agree would be fun.
Ben has started a peculiar habit recently of changing his clothes multiple times per day, especially on weekends. I think it started with wanting to change every time he got his shirt a little bit wet, but it has progressed to just wanted to change, sometimes with no reason at all. As soon as he gets home from school, he wants to put "comfortable clothes" on, which usually consist of soft cotton shorts and a tshirt, no underwear usually. Now on the weekends, he wants to wear shorts and a tshirt around the house, and will grudgingly change into pants and long sleeved shirt to go outside. But as soon as he comes back in, he wants to put on shorts again! One Sunday morning while gathering things to go to the farm for the day, Ben packed an entired dryer load of clothes into two re-usable bags, intending to take them both to Nitas. I was able to get out of the house with just one them!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Friday, December 28, 2012
December 2012
Ben and Rebecca have really enjoyed Christmas this year, especially Ben since he's at the age where he can really talk about what's going on. Rebecca seemed to know who Santa Claus is though, and that he was going to bring her a present or two. We had 3 advent calendars going, two with ornaments that had to be fished out of tiny little boxes and one simpler one with a tree that had to move to a new pocket each day as Christmas drew closer. They usually took turns pulling the ornaments out of two of them, while Ben was usually the one moving the Christmas tree to the right pocket on the simpler one. It helped build Ben's excitement for Christmas and helped helped him recognizehis numbers a little bit better too.
Ben is learning alot in his preschool class of his new school, probably a combination of what I think are better teachers at his new school and his growing level of maturity. It amazes me the things he can remember and details he can recall from his past experiences. We got a kick out of him coming home and singing the draedel song. When we are driving around at night noticing the Christmas lights, he will comment about those houses without lights by saying "they don't celebrate Christmas". I'm assuming he's learning about some diversity at his school!
We've been meaning to start going to a church nearby, but haven't gotten ourselves organized and motivated to find one we like. As a small substitute, I pulled out some books about the Christmas story to read to Ben and Becca at night. I was surprised at how interested Ben was in the story and his ability to follow it. He seemed especially interested in how King Herod was the bad guy and refers to him whenever he sees a picture of a king. He also gets excited and points out baby Jesus every time that he saw a nativity. Last night, I was singing songs to them in bed and after "We Three Kings" he reminded me that the kings were "wisemen".
Ben and Becca seemed to really like the live Nativity we took them to about a week before Christmas at Lara's church, Discovery Methodist. They especially liked the live animals that paraded in and out during the service. There were all kinds of animals - a large white rabbit, a baby lion, a calf, sheep, llamas, camels, tigers, and an old lion named Bubba. They both also enjoyed seeing the animals after the show, either fenced in or in their cages. Then almost 2 weeks later, Ben and I were reading a book and came accross a boy nicknamed Bubba, and Ben said "like the lion".
We went back to that church for a short Christmas Eve service, and both of the children were very good listening to the Christmas music. Ben enjoyed holding the candle (until he got some hot wax on him I think) and putting the offering money in the little red wagon.
They went to see the Legenday Santa Claus at the Children's Museum about a week before Christmas. I was surprised how well they did, neither crying and both willing to sit on Santa's lap. Ben asked for a Batman toy and a scooter, the latter of which was an idea I'd planted in his head but the Batman toy was something he picked out of the Toys R Us catalog way back around Thanksgiving. Becca simply said "Dora" when asked what she wanted for Christmas, also the product of a little coaching but I knew that was a word she could actually say from her limited vocabulary and something that would make her happy.
Ben woke up about 6:45 on Christmas morning, not realizing it was that late since it was still fairly dark outside. He asked if Santa had come and I said I didn't know yet. He laid awake for a few minutes. When I saw he wasn't going back to sleep, I asked if he wanted to go downstairs to see, and of course he said yes. He was so excited when got downstairs, seeing his Batman toy and scooter. He was also very excited about his Batman pajamas, something he'd thrown a fit about in Walmart a few days earlier because I woudn't buy them for him (and he'd remembered how much he wanted them). Becca was excited too, about her Dora doll and surprisingly super excited about her Tervis cup! (Ben has had one for a year already, which was probably part of it!). She had to drink from it right away.
Ben also got a pirate puzzle, a construction road rug, and Uncle Remus Stories from Santa and from Mom and Dad a pizza making toy, a doctors kit and a Mickey Mouse pirate ornament that I bought on our trip to Disney earlier this year. Rebecca got a dollhouse, rain boots, and a book from Santa, and then cutting vegetables, a portable white board and magnetic chalk board, and a new red winter coat from Mom and Dad. Ben's stocking had a new Thomas train, a child size coffee cup (so Ben can drink coffee with Daddy!). Becca also got a coffee cup,Thomas train, and Dora toothbrush and toothpaste in her stockng. They both got a pair of child's scissors in their stockings. Ben really enjoys practicing with scissors and Santa thought they both could use a pair especially made for their little hands.
After Christmas morning at our house, we set out for Grandma Nita's and Popa Joe's to see them and aunts, uncles, and cousins. The kids, especially Ben, enjoyed the chaos of opening gifts in Grandma's sun room. Ben especially liked his race car and mini track from Allie and Henry, pirate ship bath toy from the Womack's, and boxing gloves and punching bag from the Grubbs'. Becca was content to just sit in my lap, likely because she was overdue for her nap. But she got some nice gifts too including bath toys from the Womacks, a Madame Alexander doll from the Grubbs', and a fleece jacket from Allie and Henry. Grandma Nita gave them several kitchen toys including a coffee maker, a mixer, and some play food! Grandma Nita gave Ben a big truck with compartments on each side to put matchbox cars. Ben had a breakdown when Kelly tried to play with him, so Daddy had to take him back to the bedroom to calm him down. After a light lunch, Becca and Scott went down for naps. After their nap, we tried to go to Great Grandma Hazlegrove's, but Ben refused to put on his coat, saying he didn't like it being puffy. He ended up staying back and Glenda put him down for a late afternoon nap while the three of us went to see Great Grandma, who looked more alert and healthy than we'd seen her in a few weeks. Two weeks earlier, we'd come for a visit, partly because she'd had a bad spell and wasn't doing well, but she looked great on Christmas.
We had dinner at Grandma Nita's, changed into pajamas, and headed back to Richmond between 8-9pm Christmas night. The rest of the week was spent playing with new Christmas toys, and a visit each with Lara and Jennifer. At the end of the week, we went back for a visit at Grandma Nita's for an overnight stay, partly because Ben still loves to "sleep there". We took the second half of our gingerbread man dough, and baked and shared cookies with Chase and Cal, Jordan, and Kelly. Ben ate so many gingerbread cookies that he was hardly hungry for dinner Friday night. Saturday was breakfast at Lacie's house where both Ben and Becca were proud to be members of the clean plate club, playing with Kelly while Lacie and I went to Farmville, and the Peter Pan storybook read by Grandma Nita before nap. Apparently Ben woke Becca up after she nodded off, with him saying she was missing the story! After nap, we headed back to Richmond to see Daddy. Glenda and Chase stopped by for a visit and pizza Saturday night after their trip to Short Pump mall, with plenty of stories to tell about Chase's "mall date" with a girl. Then Lacie and the kids came for a visit Sunday afternoon. The kids all had a great time playing in the basement together and were very good at Mexico for dinner.
Ben is learning alot in his preschool class of his new school, probably a combination of what I think are better teachers at his new school and his growing level of maturity. It amazes me the things he can remember and details he can recall from his past experiences. We got a kick out of him coming home and singing the draedel song. When we are driving around at night noticing the Christmas lights, he will comment about those houses without lights by saying "they don't celebrate Christmas". I'm assuming he's learning about some diversity at his school!
We've been meaning to start going to a church nearby, but haven't gotten ourselves organized and motivated to find one we like. As a small substitute, I pulled out some books about the Christmas story to read to Ben and Becca at night. I was surprised at how interested Ben was in the story and his ability to follow it. He seemed especially interested in how King Herod was the bad guy and refers to him whenever he sees a picture of a king. He also gets excited and points out baby Jesus every time that he saw a nativity. Last night, I was singing songs to them in bed and after "We Three Kings" he reminded me that the kings were "wisemen".
Ben and Becca seemed to really like the live Nativity we took them to about a week before Christmas at Lara's church, Discovery Methodist. They especially liked the live animals that paraded in and out during the service. There were all kinds of animals - a large white rabbit, a baby lion, a calf, sheep, llamas, camels, tigers, and an old lion named Bubba. They both also enjoyed seeing the animals after the show, either fenced in or in their cages. Then almost 2 weeks later, Ben and I were reading a book and came accross a boy nicknamed Bubba, and Ben said "like the lion".
We went back to that church for a short Christmas Eve service, and both of the children were very good listening to the Christmas music. Ben enjoyed holding the candle (until he got some hot wax on him I think) and putting the offering money in the little red wagon.
They went to see the Legenday Santa Claus at the Children's Museum about a week before Christmas. I was surprised how well they did, neither crying and both willing to sit on Santa's lap. Ben asked for a Batman toy and a scooter, the latter of which was an idea I'd planted in his head but the Batman toy was something he picked out of the Toys R Us catalog way back around Thanksgiving. Becca simply said "Dora" when asked what she wanted for Christmas, also the product of a little coaching but I knew that was a word she could actually say from her limited vocabulary and something that would make her happy.
Ben woke up about 6:45 on Christmas morning, not realizing it was that late since it was still fairly dark outside. He asked if Santa had come and I said I didn't know yet. He laid awake for a few minutes. When I saw he wasn't going back to sleep, I asked if he wanted to go downstairs to see, and of course he said yes. He was so excited when got downstairs, seeing his Batman toy and scooter. He was also very excited about his Batman pajamas, something he'd thrown a fit about in Walmart a few days earlier because I woudn't buy them for him (and he'd remembered how much he wanted them). Becca was excited too, about her Dora doll and surprisingly super excited about her Tervis cup! (Ben has had one for a year already, which was probably part of it!). She had to drink from it right away.
Ben also got a pirate puzzle, a construction road rug, and Uncle Remus Stories from Santa and from Mom and Dad a pizza making toy, a doctors kit and a Mickey Mouse pirate ornament that I bought on our trip to Disney earlier this year. Rebecca got a dollhouse, rain boots, and a book from Santa, and then cutting vegetables, a portable white board and magnetic chalk board, and a new red winter coat from Mom and Dad. Ben's stocking had a new Thomas train, a child size coffee cup (so Ben can drink coffee with Daddy!). Becca also got a coffee cup,Thomas train, and Dora toothbrush and toothpaste in her stockng. They both got a pair of child's scissors in their stockings. Ben really enjoys practicing with scissors and Santa thought they both could use a pair especially made for their little hands.
After Christmas morning at our house, we set out for Grandma Nita's and Popa Joe's to see them and aunts, uncles, and cousins. The kids, especially Ben, enjoyed the chaos of opening gifts in Grandma's sun room. Ben especially liked his race car and mini track from Allie and Henry, pirate ship bath toy from the Womack's, and boxing gloves and punching bag from the Grubbs'. Becca was content to just sit in my lap, likely because she was overdue for her nap. But she got some nice gifts too including bath toys from the Womacks, a Madame Alexander doll from the Grubbs', and a fleece jacket from Allie and Henry. Grandma Nita gave them several kitchen toys including a coffee maker, a mixer, and some play food! Grandma Nita gave Ben a big truck with compartments on each side to put matchbox cars. Ben had a breakdown when Kelly tried to play with him, so Daddy had to take him back to the bedroom to calm him down. After a light lunch, Becca and Scott went down for naps. After their nap, we tried to go to Great Grandma Hazlegrove's, but Ben refused to put on his coat, saying he didn't like it being puffy. He ended up staying back and Glenda put him down for a late afternoon nap while the three of us went to see Great Grandma, who looked more alert and healthy than we'd seen her in a few weeks. Two weeks earlier, we'd come for a visit, partly because she'd had a bad spell and wasn't doing well, but she looked great on Christmas.
We had dinner at Grandma Nita's, changed into pajamas, and headed back to Richmond between 8-9pm Christmas night. The rest of the week was spent playing with new Christmas toys, and a visit each with Lara and Jennifer. At the end of the week, we went back for a visit at Grandma Nita's for an overnight stay, partly because Ben still loves to "sleep there". We took the second half of our gingerbread man dough, and baked and shared cookies with Chase and Cal, Jordan, and Kelly. Ben ate so many gingerbread cookies that he was hardly hungry for dinner Friday night. Saturday was breakfast at Lacie's house where both Ben and Becca were proud to be members of the clean plate club, playing with Kelly while Lacie and I went to Farmville, and the Peter Pan storybook read by Grandma Nita before nap. Apparently Ben woke Becca up after she nodded off, with him saying she was missing the story! After nap, we headed back to Richmond to see Daddy. Glenda and Chase stopped by for a visit and pizza Saturday night after their trip to Short Pump mall, with plenty of stories to tell about Chase's "mall date" with a girl. Then Lacie and the kids came for a visit Sunday afternoon. The kids all had a great time playing in the basement together and were very good at Mexico for dinner.
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