Ben-isms

Kids say the funniest things and I could literally write a book about the funny things Ben says. Here are my 2 favorite from the past week:


While making little owl crafts today I asked Ben:
Me: Ben what color nose do you want your owl to have?
Ben: I want him to be a brown-noser owl
*and no, he doesn't know what that means

The other night for dinner I made breaded shrimp for Bryan and me and chicken for the boys. (Ben had never seen a shrimp breaded like that before.)
Ben: Mom, can I try one of your shrimp?
Me: Sure if you want. Just hold it by this part and take a bite
Ben: Hold it by the stick? Why do shrimp have a stick up their butt mom?

Oh my- this boy keeps me laughing!!!

Lucky Girl

I am one lucky girl! 

I am a lucky girl because I have an amazing friend that came over Friday night, picked out a cute outfit for me, did my hair and make up for me and planned a girls night with my friends for my birthday.

I am a lucky girl because I had great friends that took me out for dessert at an amazing little restaurant. The food was amazing and the company was even better! It felt so great to get out and laugh and not have to worry about anything but having a good time!

I am a lucky girl because my husband stayed home and watched the boys while I got ready and went out. 

I am a lucky girl and I have a blessed life! 

Oh the Joys of Raising Boys

Sometimes raising boys leaves me speechless . . . . 

found him like this: emptied out the box and got him by himself

came across this little collection from Ben as a surprise haha 

But other times, raising boys just fills my love tank!!!

no such thing as personal space

my cuddle bug

Ashley Comes to Play

Ben's sweet friend Ashley came over to play all day because her mommy was in the hospital with her little sister (2yrs old) who is VERY sick. We had lunch in the teepee in the backyard, we took rests, we played puzzles, we did a little craft and made baby owls, we had dinner, played outside, made cookies with Halloween sprinkles and did many other fun things! We love having Ashley over because she is so much and has the best manners.
While Ashley was over, our friends Nadine and little Sofia came over to play too. It was great to have an extra set of hands and it was fun to add another little friend to the fun!

Note: Please keep Ashley's sister, Abby, in your prayers, she was admitted to the hospital after 10 hrs in the ER and they are still running more tests. Poor Abby is only 2 years old but she has had X-rays, CT scans, blood draws, IVs, a catheter, ultrasounds, barium enema, and if that wasn't bad enough she also had to get a spinal tap. Please also pray for her mom and dad for peace and answers from the doctors. 

Love Ben's little look- cracks me up!

Lunch in the TeePee

A little cookie with our sprinkles :)

Harvest Festival 2012

On Sunday night we hosted our second annual Harvest Festival. It was a great time getting together with friends, eating food, and letting the little ones play games. We had a blast and we can't wait to do it all again next year!

Everybody loved the pinata

Pizza, salad, and grapes were a real hit for dinner!

See ya again next year!!!

Pumpkin Patch 2012

Well Halloween is almost here and we hadn't had a chance to visit the pumpkin patch yet so Friday morning we packed up and headed out to meet up there with our friends Sofia and Nadine.
It was really windy and hot so we didn't stay a long time, but we played with pumpkins, threw rocks, checked out the tractor, played in the dirt, and took fun pics. I love these little outings with my family!

Ben, sweetly holding Sofia's hand

A barrel of cute little pumpkins

(Ben: 4yrs 3mo)

(Nathan: 20mo)

It amazes me how much little ones can change in the span of a year. A year ago Nathan just sat wherever you placed him and he didn't say much but this year, we had to run to keep up with him and he never stopped talking the whole time we were at the pumpkin patch!

2011

2012

A Love of Reading

Recently Ben has started showing an interest in chapter books so I thought I would try it out and see if he could follow along and comprehend the story in a book without pictures, or if he would get bored and sidetracked. Man, I did not know what I was getting myself into. Just in the past week we have read through 5 of the Magic Tree House books. He loves them and will tell anybody who will listen to him what they are about. And at night, when we stop reading he always asks for just one more chapter. I can't believe how good his comprehension is of these books and makes me excited to start reading other books with him like: Flat Stanley, Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, etc. 

Developing a love of reading within my children is very important to me so when I walk by Ben's room and see moments like this it seriously melts my heart. 

Nathan James: 20 Months

Nathan is 20 months old and seriously one of the most fun kids I have ever known! His personality is one of light, joy, silliness, purity, sweetness and love. He keeps me on my toes but he also keeps a smile on my face. Bryan and I call him our little parrot because he will repeat anything he hears: words, phrases, songs, beats, etc. He loves his brother and wants to do anything Ben is doing and he is really starting to understand friends and constantly talks about his little friends Josie, Sofia and Wyatt. It melts my heart how much sweetness and love he has for others. 

Nathan James, I love you more than you will ever know!!!

Nathan loves snuggle time

Nathan and his lizard (pretend but he thinks it's real)

somebody likes chocolate

Mr. Silly- he did this by himself

I love his little voice in this video!