Ben and Nora

Ben's girlfriend, Piper better watch out! She has some stiff competition with Miss Nora. We had a park-date with our preschool friends Friday morning and Ben spent some quality time with her. They ran around, played in the sand, jumped in a puddle and shared a snack. He hasn't mentioned Piper all weekend. Hmmmm....me thinks Ben is turning into a Lothorio=/

Emmie the Equestrian

At the park on Friday, Emily learned a new trick. She figured out how to climb up on the horsie! Maybe she will love horse-back riding like her Mimi? I think Dan needs to start saving up to buy his little princess her first pony;)

Playdate At Ruby's

Ruby moved back to our area, much to Ben's delight! They are truly BFFs which is so funny to me. Ruby's mama and aunties were my BFF's growing up, so I love that fact that all our children get a chance to be friends, too. Ben, Ruby and Emily spent much of our playdate skinny-dipping in the backyard, so there aren't many pictures fit to blog;) We got the extra-special treat of playing with Baby Bradley, too! Both Emily and Ben loved him, naturally. Here are a few pictures from today!




A modestly cropped shot of Ben playing in the wading-pool.

Emily, giving her future husband Bradley a hug and kiss!

My cutie-girl loved running around outside with Ben and Ruby. She was much slower than them, but figured out a way to keep up. She mastered the art of the U-turn while chasing after them! They were nudie-cuties so I had to cut them out of the pic;)

Bradley, Ben and Emily playing with a clean diaper and my keys. Fun!

The Look

Emily has already perfected her look of disdain. She has been in a rather volatile mood lately. She has several teeth coming in and she just doesn't appreciate the discomfort she's forced to endure. We've had several late nights where she wakes up screaming and refuses to back to sleep until she's been allowed to watch as much late-night tv as she wants. Since she and Ben share a room, we're forced with the dilema of letting her cry(and waking up Ben!), or letting her get up and risk reinforcing this terrible habit. Daddy, the softie, lets her get up. Mommy, the exhausted, makes her cry it out. Hey! I have to deal with her attitude in the waking hours, too! Believe me when I tell you we BOTH need our beauty sleep in order to get along nicely;) Her sweet, silly face makes it worth it, though!

Let's Go To Pweecool!

Ben positively adores going to preschool. We only go twice a week, but each morning Ben asks me if we can go to "pweecool". He'd go all day, every day if he could. I am adjusting to all the work his school requires of me. I don't mean to complain...but it's A LOT. Originally Dan and I were supposed to split the work. Once Dan realized all they expected of us, he surprisingly decided he wasn't so interested in helping out anymore. Hmmm...who would have guessed it? I don't mind, in all honesty. It's much more "my thing" than his. Dan takes him on the non-work day and gets to play with Ben and watch him in action. I got to take him today and was able to get some cute pictures of Ben enjoying his school day.

The first thing Ben does is find a fire-hat. He always likes to look his best.

Ben loves to play in the "Dramatic Play" section. Hopefully his love of the kitchen will extend into his teenage years;)

He also loves to play outside. He recently discovered a relaxation area and loves to take a breather with or without his friends.

His all-time FAV part of school is snack time, though. He talks about it all.the.time. In fact, his very first snack time at his preschool made such a big impression on him that we decided this was the school for him. He STILL remembers eating that snack and brings it up when you ask him about his school. He's a true male. The best way to his heart is through his stomach;)

How Germs Are Spread

Little boys! I know I have many years of grosser behavior than this, but I thought this picture was hilarious! It's straight from a Lysol ad;) Ben demonstrates one way preschoolers spread germs so easily. In all fairness, he did use a tissue right after I took this picture.

The Girl's Got Style!

Emily's favorite accesorie du jour is Ben's new bike helmet.
She wants to wear it ALL.THE.TIME. Ben is a great big brother and allows her this little luxury.
Check out her eyelashes, too! The go on for days=)

Ben Is THREE!!!

I can't believe my little guy is three already. It seems so old and yet so young! He has been so excited for his birthday and we couldn't wait either. Dan and I gave him a new trike, and Emily gave him a xylophone and a really cool microphone toy. We made him a special breakfast of french toast with marshmallows(yum?) and had fun playing with his new stuff while getting ready for his birthday party. Here are some pictures of Ben's big morning!!

Emily couldn't wait for Beh-buh to wake up and see his presents!

Here is Ben's new bike along with his gift from Milly.

We had to wake the sleepy-head up so he could open his gifts. He was obviously very surprised to be three years old today;)
Ben immediately checked it out and was really happy!

He loves this cool microphone from the Parent's Toy Company.

Emily, checking out the toy "she" bought him;)

Ben made a valiant effort to play with everything at once.

Here is the breakfast of champions. French toast with marshmallows!

Ben loved his special breakfast, especially since it came on Nemo paper-goods.

After a morning spent getting their pictures taken, Ben and Emily decided they'd had enough.

Chuck E. Cheese Birthday Party

We had so much fun at our Chuck E. Cheese birthday party! Ben and his friends had a blast. I think even the adults had moments of enjoyment amidst the chaotic screaming of children and video games;) Ben was off and running from the second we walked in the door. He loved getting tickets, riding rides and playing with his buddies. He surprised me by actually sitting down for the whole pizza/singing/cake portion of the party. We were only there for about 2 hours, but everyone was very ready to go once the party was over. We went home and opened the presents before taking naps. Whew! Glad that's over!

This is a picture of Ben on the video screen at CEC.
It looks like he's in the remake of Poltergeist, right?! Creepy!

Emily wasn't in the best mood today. She was very disturbed by the giant, animatronic Chuck E. Cheese near our table. Every time he moved, she screamed.

Ben loved it, though, and spent lots of time dancing with him.

This is our baby friend, Wednesday. Isn't she cute?

Emily absolutely adored her. She spent a good five minutes just
laughing and saying "Baby" to her. So cute!!!!

Ben had a great time playing games and winning tickets. He ended up with almost 600 tickets, thanks to donations from his friends and family;) We got some pointless crap with all that, lemme tell you!

Emily and her bestie, Lily enjoyed their pizza.

Ruby didn't seem too fond of it, though!

Hazel was just thrilled to be there. She loved all of it.

One of Ben's favorite parts was when they did the Happy Birthday Show. The REAL Chuck E. Cheese even came out to greet the kids!

Emily screamed in abject terror at the sight of the live Chuck E. Cheese.
She was beyond terrified! I'm mean, but this picture kills me!

This magnificent creation was possibly the worst idea I've ever had. It was the most delicious cupcake-cake dyed royal blue. Thanks to me, everyone who enjoyed it also enjoyed blue teeth, lips and fingers. Sorry, everyone!!

Ben couldn't believe his good fortune when he saw his cupcake!

All he did was like it, though. I think it was just too much.

Lily was in a "Mine!" type of mood. I think we can all relate=)

Sigh...I can't believe he's THREE!

Dan's step sisters love Ben and Emily!

This is Ben's favorite game--air hockey!

He got his very own bike helmet and couldn't wait to wear it.

At home, Ben and Emily enjoyed more cupcakes.

Ben looks good in everything he eats;)

One of his favorite gifts was this cool toddler camera! Thanks, Mimi!

He's also really pleased with all the cool hoodies(his fave type of clothing), books, cars, puzzles and other gifts. Thanks, everyone!!

I think Dan enjoyed opening the gifts even more than Ben did;)