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.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
August 14, 2012
I've been oficially off from work for the last 2 weeks, starting the beginning of August. It's amazing how busy we've stayed. On days we've been at home, we've usually done something in the morning and the afternoon, squeezing a nap in between. We've gone to the playground a few times in the morning, and the Children's museum once since Maribeth's visit. At the Children's Museum, Ben had his heart set on riding on the front car of the Animal Train, but we were sitting in another seat during our first ride. Ben cried in disappointment. Thank goodness, he managed to get the front seat with another little boy his age after waiting in line a second time. He was so pleased with his good fortune!
Several afternoons have included trips to the pool. Ben has gotten braver and braver over the course of the summer. Now he usually jumps in without me catching him, and often asks me to stand far away while he jumps. Last night, we took both of them to the pool after dinner and Ben jumped some in the deep end, where he definitely couldn't reach, without me holding him. He could swim up to the surface after his jump, but I don't think could stay on the surface, so I would grab onto him to keep him up. He was very proud of himself. When he was swimming underwater in the deep end (for the few seconds that he would swim without bobbing his head back above water), he would come back up the the biggest smile I've ever seen on him and his eyes wide as saucers...which looked pretty cute behind his green goggles. Becca has a great time at the pool too, usually treading water in her floaty. Ben has been refusing to wear a floatie or life jacket, because it prevents him from swimming underwater. He likes to retrieve toys from the bottom, usually with my help because he doesn't know how to swim down to the bottom by himself.
Ben and Becca have also enjoyed a couple of trips to Short Pump mall, one to have lunch at CPK with Jennifer, Emily, and Meghan and once to see Nutzy at the Food Court. At lunch, Ben and Becca were both rather shy, with Ben opening up over the course of the meal. He started talking and playing with Emily. Meghan tried to play with Becca, but she wasn't very interested and tried to push Meghan out of our side fo the booth. Trips to the mall usually include a ride on the train and some play time in the miniature store and train station.
We've gone to my parents to visit the farm for 2 days at a time twice now. Ben loves staying the night now, and asks "are we going to sleep there" when we go. Ben and Becca did great the first time, sleeping together in my old bed. The second trip wasn't quite as good, with each of them waking up at least once during the night and me jumping from Jody's bedroom to mine a couple of times to settle them down. Our days were filled with alot of activity. Ben rode in the corn chopper on both visits, which were planned around the corn chopping schedule. Ben also rode in the tractor on our 2nd visit. Although the rides put him to sleep, I think he really enjoyed the new adventures. We also played on Kelly's and Grandma Nita's swing sets, helped Nita make french toast, played hide and seek and with Chooch the Train, visited Aunt Pauline, and of course got lots of time in the pool with all the cousins, even Chase and Lottie Mae. We also visited the chickens, pigs, and cows at the farm...once gathering almost 3 dozen eggs from the chicken house. Ben and Kelly went on a ride with Papa Joe in the truck while Becca and I heated some soup for Grandma Hazlegrove. When it was time to go home the end of our 2nd day, Ben had been having such a good time he asked if we could sleep there 2 nights!
Several afternoons have included trips to the pool. Ben has gotten braver and braver over the course of the summer. Now he usually jumps in without me catching him, and often asks me to stand far away while he jumps. Last night, we took both of them to the pool after dinner and Ben jumped some in the deep end, where he definitely couldn't reach, without me holding him. He could swim up to the surface after his jump, but I don't think could stay on the surface, so I would grab onto him to keep him up. He was very proud of himself. When he was swimming underwater in the deep end (for the few seconds that he would swim without bobbing his head back above water), he would come back up the the biggest smile I've ever seen on him and his eyes wide as saucers...which looked pretty cute behind his green goggles. Becca has a great time at the pool too, usually treading water in her floaty. Ben has been refusing to wear a floatie or life jacket, because it prevents him from swimming underwater. He likes to retrieve toys from the bottom, usually with my help because he doesn't know how to swim down to the bottom by himself.
Ben and Becca have also enjoyed a couple of trips to Short Pump mall, one to have lunch at CPK with Jennifer, Emily, and Meghan and once to see Nutzy at the Food Court. At lunch, Ben and Becca were both rather shy, with Ben opening up over the course of the meal. He started talking and playing with Emily. Meghan tried to play with Becca, but she wasn't very interested and tried to push Meghan out of our side fo the booth. Trips to the mall usually include a ride on the train and some play time in the miniature store and train station.
We've gone to my parents to visit the farm for 2 days at a time twice now. Ben loves staying the night now, and asks "are we going to sleep there" when we go. Ben and Becca did great the first time, sleeping together in my old bed. The second trip wasn't quite as good, with each of them waking up at least once during the night and me jumping from Jody's bedroom to mine a couple of times to settle them down. Our days were filled with alot of activity. Ben rode in the corn chopper on both visits, which were planned around the corn chopping schedule. Ben also rode in the tractor on our 2nd visit. Although the rides put him to sleep, I think he really enjoyed the new adventures. We also played on Kelly's and Grandma Nita's swing sets, helped Nita make french toast, played hide and seek and with Chooch the Train, visited Aunt Pauline, and of course got lots of time in the pool with all the cousins, even Chase and Lottie Mae. We also visited the chickens, pigs, and cows at the farm...once gathering almost 3 dozen eggs from the chicken house. Ben and Kelly went on a ride with Papa Joe in the truck while Becca and I heated some soup for Grandma Hazlegrove. When it was time to go home the end of our 2nd day, Ben had been having such a good time he asked if we could sleep there 2 nights!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
July 2012
Ben took swimming lessons at the YMCA for 2 weeks in early July, as I was winding down at work. Many days we would go to the playground before his lesson started, with Ben and Becca, before it got so hot during this heatwave. Then we'd drop Becca off at school and head to his lesson. Ben was very persuasive at extending his Mommy time even more by getting more playground time at the Y or a trip to Chic Fil-A. Ben really enjoyed his lessons, and enjoyed our routine before and after the lesson. He didn't wear his swim trunks to the Y, but instead enjoyed changing in the locker room, in a small changing room with a curtain. Then he liked to take a shower after his lesson, dry his trunks in the spinner, and get his dry clothes back on the in changing room, mostly standing up on one of the benches. He did such a good job during his lessons, listening so intently to the instructor and doing whatever she asked. I didn't know how much good it was actually doing though, until he got into our neighborhood pool. He was more comfortable in the pool for sure, but then a week or so after his last lesson he actually started swimming on his own at our neigborhood pool. It was when Bev was here for a visit. He didn't swim far or long by himself, but he wasn't definitely swimming under the water. He was having such a good time, and wanted to keep doing his short swimming stints over and over again. He akso liked jumping into the pool, as long as Mommy was there to catch him. he liked showing Lara that he could put his head underwater. Becca also liked jumping in, and liked yelling her version of 1-2-3, which just sounded like random sounds.
One evening recently, Ben asked for some broccoli after dinner, which is very unusual since it's usually an effort to get him to eat his broccoli during dinner. He has started eating it with melted cheese on it again recently, so that's how I prepared it. Sure enough, while sitting on the sofa he (and Becca) ate all of the broccoli I made for him. It was a surreal evening!
This past week was Bev's visit before she headed to VA Beach for her family vacation. She was a big hit with the kids, bringing a book for each of them. The Thomas the Train book which made a bunch of sounds was the most popular, and Bev read it to Ben almost each day. He and Becca both loved pushing the buttons to hear the sounds each made. We did several fun things with the kids during her visit, including a trip to the Children's Museum. Ben absolutely loved it, especially the pirate ship and the animal train. We rode the train twice, the second time just before leaving and he wanted a 3rd time of course. Becca had a great time too, finding a cow girl costume and walking around in it for almost the remainder of her visit, getting smiles from alot of the other people there. Ben tried a few costumes himself, including a mermaid, Thomas the Train, and a ballerina. Either later that day or the next day, Ben said he wanted to go back to "the Children's Museum" to ride the train.
One morning, Ben asked if Maribeth was still here, and when I answered that she was still asleep in her room, he jumped up and down for joy. He asked me if she had a "daddy and kids", and when I answered that she had a husband but no kids, he suggested that he and Becca be her kids. I asked him what about Mommy and Daddy, and he answered that we could be cousins. Then he said he was just kidding....thank goodness. While I was out taking Bev to pick up her rental car, Daddy asked Ben if he wanted to visit Maribeth sometime, to which he asked "does she have toys"? Becca also bonded with Bev during her visit, and gave her a big hug before she left.
One evening recently, Ben asked for some broccoli after dinner, which is very unusual since it's usually an effort to get him to eat his broccoli during dinner. He has started eating it with melted cheese on it again recently, so that's how I prepared it. Sure enough, while sitting on the sofa he (and Becca) ate all of the broccoli I made for him. It was a surreal evening!
This past week was Bev's visit before she headed to VA Beach for her family vacation. She was a big hit with the kids, bringing a book for each of them. The Thomas the Train book which made a bunch of sounds was the most popular, and Bev read it to Ben almost each day. He and Becca both loved pushing the buttons to hear the sounds each made. We did several fun things with the kids during her visit, including a trip to the Children's Museum. Ben absolutely loved it, especially the pirate ship and the animal train. We rode the train twice, the second time just before leaving and he wanted a 3rd time of course. Becca had a great time too, finding a cow girl costume and walking around in it for almost the remainder of her visit, getting smiles from alot of the other people there. Ben tried a few costumes himself, including a mermaid, Thomas the Train, and a ballerina. Either later that day or the next day, Ben said he wanted to go back to "the Children's Museum" to ride the train.
One morning, Ben asked if Maribeth was still here, and when I answered that she was still asleep in her room, he jumped up and down for joy. He asked me if she had a "daddy and kids", and when I answered that she had a husband but no kids, he suggested that he and Becca be her kids. I asked him what about Mommy and Daddy, and he answered that we could be cousins. Then he said he was just kidding....thank goodness. While I was out taking Bev to pick up her rental car, Daddy asked Ben if he wanted to visit Maribeth sometime, to which he asked "does she have toys"? Becca also bonded with Bev during her visit, and gave her a big hug before she left.
Monday, June 25, 2012
June 25, 2012
Ben and Becca are really enjoying the pool so far this summer, both our neighborhood pool and Grandma Nita's pool. Ben is using Kelly's little blue donut intertube every time, which allows him to paddle around anywhere in the pool and Becca is using Henry's old orange wrap around floatie, which works great for her and allows her to kick around with me holding her. I do keep a hand close to her though, just in case she turns herself over on it.
At our pool, Ben went down the big looping slide last weekend, several times. He watched a few kids go down and then decided he wanted to go. He walked up by himself and either Scott or I were waiting in the pool to catch him. His only caution was asking if one of us was down there to catch him before he went down. He loved it, and would say he wanted to do it again once he got to my arms. Becca was ready to follow him to go downt he slide too, but Scott told her she was too little. During the week, we went to the pool in the late afternoon with Lara, where Ben wasn't interested in going down the slide anymore...or when he was he got scared at the top and decided to go back down the stairs. I'd allowed Becca to come up the stairs with us, and even though Ben had changed his mind, Becca was ready to slide down. I put her in the slide and gave her a nudge, and she slid down into Lara's arms. Lara said she landed smiling and laughing. She went down the slide 3-4 times, each time with her floatie still on.
I've Ben and Becca to the farm a couple of times during the week...just Ben the first time to take him to see Cal and Jordan's baseball game on a Thursday night, and then both of them the next week on a Friday. Ben really enjoyed playing it he pool with Kelly and Cal and Jordan, of course in his donut. Ben and Kelly enjoyed playing with the water guns that came with the big intertubes that Scott bought for the pool. Cal and Jordan created a fort with the two intertubes and together sprayed at Ben and Kelly, and they enjoyed shooting water back at them! Ben and Kelly enjoyed playing at the farm too. We've started a recent "tradition" of taking over ripe bananas (partly b/c I'm having trouble getting Ben and Becca to eat them fast enough) for them to throw the pigs, which they enjoy. They also still like throwing them clumps of grass that Scott or I pull for them. Ben enjoyed Cal and Jordan's baseball game. He really liked Kelly's kid-sized folding chair and sat in that for a while while Kelly was playing elsewhere, and he sat in my lap for a while. After the game, he was excited to run the bases (which he also likes to do after Henry and Allie's games), even though it was 10:00 or after at night. Needless to say, he fell asleep quickly on the ride back to Grandma Nita's.
We've also gotten into a habit of allowing Ben & Becca to have ice cream after dinner, as long as they eat most of their dinner. They really enjoy eating it on the front porch, and often times switching back and forth, usually at Ben's suggestion. I'm not sure that it's a good habit, but it has worked at encouraging Ben to eat most of his vegetables, which continues to be a challenge. Broccoli is the only vegetable I can get him to eat almost regularly, and red peppers are close second, but nothing else interests him. Becca is eating better, enjoying grilled squash that Nita has given us from her garden. One night, she was even taking the squash off of my plate and eating it herself! As I was making a sandwich and strawberries for lunch yesterday, Ben said, "I want broccoli and peppers!", which I expected he was only saying because he knew he wasn't getting that, but perhaps I should've made some for him to see what happened. He has said similar things before...like on the way home he'll say he wants broccoli for dinner...but once dinner is served he is less interested. Once he even said he wanted to order green beans at McDonalds...convenient since it's not on the menu! I haven't been able to get either of them to eat green beans in forever!
At our pool, Ben went down the big looping slide last weekend, several times. He watched a few kids go down and then decided he wanted to go. He walked up by himself and either Scott or I were waiting in the pool to catch him. His only caution was asking if one of us was down there to catch him before he went down. He loved it, and would say he wanted to do it again once he got to my arms. Becca was ready to follow him to go downt he slide too, but Scott told her she was too little. During the week, we went to the pool in the late afternoon with Lara, where Ben wasn't interested in going down the slide anymore...or when he was he got scared at the top and decided to go back down the stairs. I'd allowed Becca to come up the stairs with us, and even though Ben had changed his mind, Becca was ready to slide down. I put her in the slide and gave her a nudge, and she slid down into Lara's arms. Lara said she landed smiling and laughing. She went down the slide 3-4 times, each time with her floatie still on.
I've Ben and Becca to the farm a couple of times during the week...just Ben the first time to take him to see Cal and Jordan's baseball game on a Thursday night, and then both of them the next week on a Friday. Ben really enjoyed playing it he pool with Kelly and Cal and Jordan, of course in his donut. Ben and Kelly enjoyed playing with the water guns that came with the big intertubes that Scott bought for the pool. Cal and Jordan created a fort with the two intertubes and together sprayed at Ben and Kelly, and they enjoyed shooting water back at them! Ben and Kelly enjoyed playing at the farm too. We've started a recent "tradition" of taking over ripe bananas (partly b/c I'm having trouble getting Ben and Becca to eat them fast enough) for them to throw the pigs, which they enjoy. They also still like throwing them clumps of grass that Scott or I pull for them. Ben enjoyed Cal and Jordan's baseball game. He really liked Kelly's kid-sized folding chair and sat in that for a while while Kelly was playing elsewhere, and he sat in my lap for a while. After the game, he was excited to run the bases (which he also likes to do after Henry and Allie's games), even though it was 10:00 or after at night. Needless to say, he fell asleep quickly on the ride back to Grandma Nita's.
We've also gotten into a habit of allowing Ben & Becca to have ice cream after dinner, as long as they eat most of their dinner. They really enjoy eating it on the front porch, and often times switching back and forth, usually at Ben's suggestion. I'm not sure that it's a good habit, but it has worked at encouraging Ben to eat most of his vegetables, which continues to be a challenge. Broccoli is the only vegetable I can get him to eat almost regularly, and red peppers are close second, but nothing else interests him. Becca is eating better, enjoying grilled squash that Nita has given us from her garden. One night, she was even taking the squash off of my plate and eating it herself! As I was making a sandwich and strawberries for lunch yesterday, Ben said, "I want broccoli and peppers!", which I expected he was only saying because he knew he wasn't getting that, but perhaps I should've made some for him to see what happened. He has said similar things before...like on the way home he'll say he wants broccoli for dinner...but once dinner is served he is less interested. Once he even said he wanted to order green beans at McDonalds...convenient since it's not on the menu! I haven't been able to get either of them to eat green beans in forever!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
May 28, 2012
This weekend is Memorial Day weekend, which meant the pool opened on Saturday morning. Ben was so excited to go to the pool, especially with Daddy reminding him all week that the pool opened on Saturday. As soon as he awoke, he started asking about going to the pool, and asking if the firetruck was outside yet, knowing that he'd follow the firetruck from the corner at our house to the pool. Ben decided he and Becca would wear their fireman hats to the pool, and they pretended to put out a fire while waiting for me to get my bathing suit on. Ben claims he rescued a bunny during his firefighting. Once we met the firetruck, Daddy pulled both of them in the blue wagon that Papa Harvey and Grandma Marla gave them for Ben's 2nd birthday. Once we got to the pool, Ben was too shy (or scared) to get inside the fire truck. He may have also been too anxious to get to the pool, and wow did he love the pool. He told me though as he jumped off the side that he didn't want to get his face under water, that he wanted to do "little boy" jumps instead of "big boy" jumps. He said big boys put their heads under the water, and he is a still a little boy. Also, the slide is for big boys, not little boys. Maybe Ben will be a "big boy" later in the summer and make it down the slide.
Becca was a bit hesitant or disinterested at first in the pool, but it was just a matter of minutes that she really got into it, and was having a great time. She enjoyed playing with a small bucket, and sitting on the step with Daddy. She also enjoyed
Ben often pretends to be rescuing animals or even inanimate objects, modeling after one of his favorite shows, Go Diego Go, who goes on an animal rescue during each episode.
Becca was a bit hesitant or disinterested at first in the pool, but it was just a matter of minutes that she really got into it, and was having a great time. She enjoyed playing with a small bucket, and sitting on the step with Daddy. She also enjoyed
Ben often pretends to be rescuing animals or even inanimate objects, modeling after one of his favorite shows, Go Diego Go, who goes on an animal rescue during each episode.
June 13, 2012
Becca discovered markers, and loves to sit at the small table and open a marker, place a few dots of color in her coloring book, put the cap back on the marker and then repeat with a new marker. One morning she saw the bin of markers and pile of coloring books on the counter and started asking for them by grunting and pointing at them. She was not satisfied until I pulled them down for her to play with. Becca still isn't talking, except for saying Mama, Da-Da, and night night on command.
Ben talks to Becca as if she can understand and respond. He asks her questions and relays her answer to us by interpreting her head nod. He will tell us "Becca said she doesn't want any".
Becca observes everything and tries to do what the big kids are doing. Yesterday morning she insisted on sitting in the back seat in between the two car seats, because that is what she saw her cousing Kelly doing at the farm on Sunday. She was so pleased once she climbed into the spot by herself.
Yesterday, Ben's teacher allowed him to pick out a dum-dum lollipop after school. When we got to Becca's classroom to get her, she wanted to try the lollipop. Ben eagerly shared his lollipop with her but Becca was reluctant to give it back. By the time we got to the van, they had switched the lollipop back and forth and few times. Becca had it in her mouth and wasn't giving it back when Ben announced to her..."Becca, sharing is caring". I asked him where he learned that from and he said "Ms Sasha".
On Saturday, Ben went to his first movie. We went to see Madasgascar 3 with Lara. Ben did well overall, but did complain a bit about being scared by the dark and by the tiger, who wasn't nice like the rest of the animals in the movie. I was able to convince him that he was okay. Becca did well for the most part too, but got interested in leaving our ailse and walking the stairs, so I took her outside to the lobby. Apparently once Ben realized I'd gone, he wanted to leave too, so Lara brought him out about 20 minutes before the end of the movie.
After their movie, they both played in the backyard at the small playset that Ben is very proud he can climb the wall and into it by himself. Becca can climb the short ladder into it herself too, and slide down the slide by herself. Both really enjoyed playing at the sandbox, building a river by dumping buckets of water filled with the hose, with Lara manning the hose. They both got soaked, with Ben doing his usual stripping down to nothing and me grabbing his swim trunks so he wasn't totally indecent in the backyard! Becca go soaked because she inadvertently dumped more water on herself than what made it into the sandbox.
Later Lara and I took the kids to Target where Ben pulled his normal "I need to show you something", which was how he wanted to get me to walk down the toy ailse with him. I told him he wasn't getting any toys, but he did ask if he could buy a Scooby/Bat Man movie which I said yes too, and a Scooby t-shirt which he begged for. While in the check-out line, Ben saw the clerk at the next aisle wearing a bright purple turban. He said, "Look Mommy, a genie!". And it was true, the man looked like what Ben would believe was a genie!
After Target we went to pick up Daddy at the bourbon festival. The kids slept all the way there, not having a nap yet. But they were ready to go again once we got home, heading back to the sandbox to continue building their river and get wet again! Yes, Ben stipped out of his clothes again requiring me to run get his swimtrunks!
On Sunday, we all went to the farm, where Ben had a great time playing in pool with Kelly and the rest of his cousins (except Chase who was at a golf tournament). Ben wore one of Kelly's small donut intertubes, and used it all afternoon to swim everywhere in the pool and enjoyed racing Kelly, sometimes to get a ball and other times to just go from one end to the other.
Ben talks to Becca as if she can understand and respond. He asks her questions and relays her answer to us by interpreting her head nod. He will tell us "Becca said she doesn't want any".
Becca observes everything and tries to do what the big kids are doing. Yesterday morning she insisted on sitting in the back seat in between the two car seats, because that is what she saw her cousing Kelly doing at the farm on Sunday. She was so pleased once she climbed into the spot by herself.
Yesterday, Ben's teacher allowed him to pick out a dum-dum lollipop after school. When we got to Becca's classroom to get her, she wanted to try the lollipop. Ben eagerly shared his lollipop with her but Becca was reluctant to give it back. By the time we got to the van, they had switched the lollipop back and forth and few times. Becca had it in her mouth and wasn't giving it back when Ben announced to her..."Becca, sharing is caring". I asked him where he learned that from and he said "Ms Sasha".
On Saturday, Ben went to his first movie. We went to see Madasgascar 3 with Lara. Ben did well overall, but did complain a bit about being scared by the dark and by the tiger, who wasn't nice like the rest of the animals in the movie. I was able to convince him that he was okay. Becca did well for the most part too, but got interested in leaving our ailse and walking the stairs, so I took her outside to the lobby. Apparently once Ben realized I'd gone, he wanted to leave too, so Lara brought him out about 20 minutes before the end of the movie.
After their movie, they both played in the backyard at the small playset that Ben is very proud he can climb the wall and into it by himself. Becca can climb the short ladder into it herself too, and slide down the slide by herself. Both really enjoyed playing at the sandbox, building a river by dumping buckets of water filled with the hose, with Lara manning the hose. They both got soaked, with Ben doing his usual stripping down to nothing and me grabbing his swim trunks so he wasn't totally indecent in the backyard! Becca go soaked because she inadvertently dumped more water on herself than what made it into the sandbox.
Later Lara and I took the kids to Target where Ben pulled his normal "I need to show you something", which was how he wanted to get me to walk down the toy ailse with him. I told him he wasn't getting any toys, but he did ask if he could buy a Scooby/Bat Man movie which I said yes too, and a Scooby t-shirt which he begged for. While in the check-out line, Ben saw the clerk at the next aisle wearing a bright purple turban. He said, "Look Mommy, a genie!". And it was true, the man looked like what Ben would believe was a genie!
After Target we went to pick up Daddy at the bourbon festival. The kids slept all the way there, not having a nap yet. But they were ready to go again once we got home, heading back to the sandbox to continue building their river and get wet again! Yes, Ben stipped out of his clothes again requiring me to run get his swimtrunks!
On Sunday, we all went to the farm, where Ben had a great time playing in pool with Kelly and the rest of his cousins (except Chase who was at a golf tournament). Ben wore one of Kelly's small donut intertubes, and used it all afternoon to swim everywhere in the pool and enjoyed racing Kelly, sometimes to get a ball and other times to just go from one end to the other.
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