A True Love of Books

Ben is in love with reading books. He loves to be read to and he loves to read to you (which is really just him re-telling the story to you, but sometimes it is more fun that way anyways) haha. I love all the little voices he uses when he reads to me and how excited he gets when telling the story. It really amazes me how many details he can remember when he is "reading" to me from a story we read over a week ago. I am also impressed with his reading comprehension- he really understands what is happening in the books and will ask have conversations with me about what he has read later in the day/week.

For example, we read this book that he really likes called "Kiki's Blanket". It is a story about a little monkey, her blankie that blows away in the wind and how she gets it back. So the other day we were driving and it was pretty windy and when we got out of the car Ben grabbed my hand and told me he didn't want to blow away like Kiki's blanket because I would be sad like Kiki because he (Ben) is my special boy. Conversations like that really impress me since he is only 2 1/2!

In order to keep up with his extreme love for books and not go broke buying them we make weekly trips to the library. On average, not joking, we check out about 20 books a week and by the end of the week he can tell you what just about every book is about. Crazy!

Here are some pics of Ben sharing his love of books with his brother- too cute! (I love how this time the book is upside down, but he is still telling the story right- haha). Also, Nathan's expressions in these pics crack me up!







I love these pics of Ben and his Grandma Mary snuggled up reading books before bed! She does great little voices and Ben just loves to snuggle up with her and read- too sweet!

Fun in Sun

It was a nice warm day today so invited our friends Stephanie, Kailee, and their newest little one Klay over to play in our little pool. It was the perfect weather and Ben had a great time playing with Kailee. They played in the pool, took turns swinging each other, rode on ride around toys, had fun with motorcycles, trucks, and all the stuffed animals they could find. It was a great day with great weather and great friends!

Ben's First Teeth Cleaning

Today (2yrs 9 mo old) was Ben's first time getting his teeth cleaned. He had been to the dentist before for a meet and greet and to see all the tools and such but this was his first time actually getting his teeth cleaned.

I was a little nervous about how he would do at the dentist so last week we headed off to the library and got lots of books about going to the dentist. Ever since, we have been reading books and talking about the dentist. So today when we got there, I went first (and had Ben sit on my lap) so that he could see what it was all about. He sat there watching very quietly, just observing and occasionally asking questions. When I was done getting my teeth cleaned it was his turn. So he crawled up in my lap and to my surprise he just sat there with his mouth opened wide! I was super impressed with how well he did with the whole teeth cleaning (and so was the dental hygienist). When he was done the dental hygienist asked him if he liked it and he nodded and said "yeah awesome"! LOL!









On the way home I stopped at McD's and got Ben an ice cream cone as a surprise treat for doing so amazingly well (and to just spend a little extra 1 on 1 time with him). While we were there I asked him what his favorite part of the dentist was and he said "spitting! I love spitting" (typical boy answer, haha) :)

Ben's ice cream mustache!


Ben and Mommy Celebrating a Job Well Done!




I am super proud of Ben and happy to report that nobody had any cavities!

Favorite quote from Ben while at the dentist today:
(when getting his teeth polished he said to the dental hygienist)
"hey why are you putting yummy dirt in my mouth?!"
(I guess when you think about it, the gritty polish is a little like dirt) LOL!!!!

My Little Artist

Ben just loves painting and I gotta say, he paints some pretty cool stuff!

Pure Sweetness

Gosh, I am so in love with you Nathan- your little smiles and sounds melt my heart! Ben, you are the best big brother and I love how sweet you are with your little brother!

Sweet Smiles


Sweet Coos


Brotherly Love: I love how Ben says (in this video) "this is my favorite baby"

Happy Easter!

He has risen! He has risen indeed! Today we celebrated Easter by having brunch at my mother-in-laws. It was a great morning with family and a great first Easter as a family of four! We are an extremely blessed family!

Easter Eggstravaganza

This morning we headed out as a family and went to a local Easter and Craft Fair in Camarillo. They had crafts, inflatables, slides, swings, petting zoos, horse rides, an animal show, and an Easter egg hunt! Ben's favorite thing was the pony rides which is evident by the pictures :)

Ben and Daddy


Petting Zoo










Animal Show
Snake


Owl


Monkey


Hawk


Egg Hunt
















Pony Rides

A Gentle Reminder

Jesus sent us the rainbow as a symbol of his promise to us and last night in the sky was a very random but very beautiful double rainbow! It made me think of my two beautiful boys and how they remind me each day of that the Lord keeps His promises to us! I am blessed to be the mom to these boys and I will never forget for one day that they are the answer to my prayers! The Lord hears our prayers and never leaves us. He holds true to his promises and the rainbows last night were a gentle reminder of that!





If you look carefully you can see the double rainbow