Jolly Days at the Children's Museum

On Friday my sister took a half day off work so that we could take the kids to Jolly Days. We all had soooo much fun! The kids loved playing in the special igloo, sock skating on the pretend ice pond, baking in the kitchen, grooming the reindeer, and, of course, sliding down the giant Yule Slide. They also had fun showing my sister the new Egypt exhibit that she hadn't seen yet. Ben especially enjoyed the trains and dinosaurs as well, even though we've seen them a hundred times! We took a lot of pictures, and since my sister was there, there are even a few with me in them (unfortunately!). Enjoy!

Ben in Egypt!

Ben in Dinosphere

I know, it's a lovely picture of me:-) But I'm trying hard not to leave myself out of Ben's life in photos even though I HATE having my picture taken! In this picture we were digging up dinosaur bones!

And another lovely shot of me, this time crawling out of a cave.

Ben tending to the reindeer

Who knew sock skating on a fake pond (while wearing socks with grippers!) could be so much fun?

Ben and his cousin, Belle, sliding on the little igloo slide. She is such a great cousin to him and always helps him-even when he doesn't want it!

"Baking" cookies together in the holiday kitchen.

Getting a kiss from a stuffed penguin-he did this all on his own. It wasn't a pose!

Playing in the igloo

Playing in the Snow

We got about a half inch of snow over night last night and Ben was soooo excited to see it. When I opened the blinds on the back door to show him, his first reaction was, "Oh,no! Mess!" which totally cracked me up. But, once we were outside he loved playing in that mess!

Last winter he was too small to enjoy it, so this was his first chance to get out in it. We put on his new snowboots, mittens, coat, and hat and had a blast playing with my niece out in the backyard. Sooo much fun and soooo much joy in just a simple snowfall!

This is what happens when it gets quiet around here...

Today I was washing dishes in the kitchen while Ben ran back and forth between the living room and kitchen. (We have an open concept home, so I can keep a pretty good eye on him except if he sits right beside the couch on the opposite end from the kitchen.) I realized that it had been a few minutes since I heard or saw Ben run past, so I dried my hands and went to investigage since I KNOW that quiet isn't a good sign when it comes to little boys:-) Apparently somewhere in the totes full of Christmas decorations, Ben found a blue marker. When I found him (at the end of the couch where he knew I couldn't see him), he was happily drawing himself a mustache and had already decorated his hands. Of course, like any good mom, instead of taking the marker from him I ran to get my camera to capture the moment! Luckily he hadn't gotten to decorating the carpets or walls yet!

Random Silly Picture

This picture is just a random picture of Ben being goofy, and that's why I love it! He was growling at me and pretending to be a tiger, so I grabbed my camera to capture this memory forever. His growly face is made even "tougher" by the little bandaid under his eye because he kept scratching at his face:-) Of course, I also had to get a picture of him in his latest hat. What can I say, I am obsessed with hats for my son and he really has the perfect head to pull off the hat look!

PS: the little dog booty showing in the bottom corner is my fur baby, Spencer, who was our first "kid"!

Every Girl's Crazy 'bout a Sharp Dressed Man

Had to share these pics of Ben in his sports coat. We were going to a funeral, so it wasn't a happy occasion, but BEN was happy and that made my day. I love dressing him up in little suit coats and such. I've been told I better enjoy it now since he'll soon be big enough to protest:-) The first picture is him slouching because he was imitating me crouching down to take his picture. The second is pretty blurry because he was running toward me, but I love the look on his face and decided to share even though it isn't the greatest picture.

FFF: Give Thanks!

This week's FFF theme is one close to my heart. I have been trying all year long to have a thankful heart and to remember that everything I have is a gift from God. So, I have so many, many things I could list under giving thanks!

I am thankful that I am allowed to serve an awesome God who loves me even when I am at my most unloveable.

I am thankful to be married to the most wonderful, thoughtful, and sweet man who has loved me unconditionally and put up with me through 3 years of dating and 9 years of marriage. (Love you, Will!)

I am thankful to be called Mommy by my miracle son, who adores me even when I'm having a bad day and who brings a smile to my face every time his sweet voice says, "Mama" (which is at least a million times a day!)

I am thankful for the privilege of raising my two nephews, who are turning into amazing young men right before my eyes.

I am thankful that I can stay home and spend my days looking after Ben and my niece. There is not greater joy or responsibility than raising a child!

I am thankful for my parents and the fact that they are alive and relatively healthy.

I am thankful for my church family, who has been an endless supply of support and love.

For more FFF, hop on over to www.memeandmonkey.blogspot.com

Silly boy!

I've been watching my cousin's baby girl for a few days while she spent time with her father, the one who died yesterday. Ben has loved having her here for a playmate. He cracks me up because he either wants to BE the baby or he wants to take care of the baby. My cousin's daugher is only 11 months old, but is nearly as big as Ben, so it is really funny to watch him try to feed her, change her, pick her up, etc. I'm attaching a few pics of him being a baby and being a big helper. Too cute!

Ben climbed in the carseat we've been using for the baby, buckled himself part of the way in, asked me for "help" then sat in it and sucked his thumb while saying, "Ben baby" over and over. He is such a goofy boy!

Ben got the baby's almost empty bottle off the kitchen table and tried to "help" me feed her. She thought it was a really fun game and so did he!