Just a perfect day

Amongst all the crazy, rushed, stressed days there are days that are perfect. Not picture perfect and not without some mishap but overall, at the end of the day, I can say, "Today was a good day."
Today was that kind of day. Bennett did wake up extra early like he sometimes likes to but was in a good mood all morning. We made a trip to the grocery store and when we got home the weather was too gorgeous to stay inside. So we grabbed some toys and headed to the backyard. Bennett helped me water our veggies.
Then we had a picnic outside.
After all that time outside, Bennett was ready to have a nice long nap. It was a long enough nap that Eric and I were able to put the flowers in the ground that we had bought a couple weeks again. We even had a little time to relax.
After Ben's nap, we headed over to a bounce house to "chump, chump.". (Ben can't pronounce "j" yet). He had a blast there. It's only his third time going to one but he's finally confident enough to have fun. Eric is so great about going on all the things with him. Only problem is the Bennett doesn't want any other kids on the same bouncy as him. I guess he'll learn.
After we had our fun, we headed home for a yummy dinner. Hamburgers and grilled corn. I think summer has officially arrived
Days like today seem especially perfect since we've entered the "terrible two" stage. Seems like lately most days are filled with tantrum after tantrum. We are navigating through this stage as best we can and reminding ourselves "this too shall pass.". It always does.

"It's such a perfect day, I'm glad I spent it with you."

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Christmas 2011

This Christmas was a little quieter than last. We spent Christmas Eve at my dad and Rhonda's house. Unfortunately, none of my siblings were able to join us. My sister-in-law, Kathleen, and niece, Marissa, joined us from Hampton. My Dad and Rhonda were there, of course, and Rhonda's son, Kain (aka Uncle Candy Kain). Even though it was a small crowd, it was still a very nice evening. Poor Bennett had a cold so he wasn't much into eating but he perked up once it was time to open gifts.
The first gift that was "unveiled" was the toy box that my Dad built for Bennett. It is extraordinary! Dad and Rhonda had showed it to me earlier in the day and I was speechless. I couldn't believe how much time my Dad had put in to making such a beautiful toy box.

Bennett loved it too.

We opened the rest of the gifts from Nana and Grandpa and then headed home to put Bennett to bed and get everything ready for the next morning.
Bennett didn't know quite what to think when he saw all he toys in the living room but he quickly figured out what he wanted to play with.

Bennett was a very spoiled boy this Christmas and even though he had a cold I think he really enjoyed it. I enjoyed spoiling him and seeing how much he enjoyed everything. Most of all I enjoyed spending the extra time with him.

Stationery card

Oh Joy Joy Holiday Card

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A few of his favorite things

It's that time of the year when we start thinking of our favorite things. Here's some of Ben's:
-Marley

He just can't get enough and Marley is finally not scared of Ben. A close second to Marley are the cats. Ben calls them "zaza." I think it may be him trying to say Ziggy but he calls Abbey "Zaza" too so I'm not sure.
-Birds
He just started signing "bird." Well, his version anyway. Any time he hears a bird outside or sees one he signs "bird" and gets very excited.
-Being outside

If you ask him if he wants to go outside, he will immediately run to the back door and say "side, side." I have to make sure I am ready to go out because he will get upset if we don't immediately go out.
-Cleaning
Yup, that's right, this kid loves to clean. He loves the vacuum, broom, swiffer, dishrag, whatever.

This may seem like it's a good thing and maybe eventually it will be but right now it just makes it hard to actually clean when he is around.

He's got a lot to say

Here's some of words that Ben says:
Please (sounds like plaes)
Yes (sounds like hss)
Stop
Socks
Shoes
Side (for outside)
Dada (I don't think he uses the for dad just general happiness)
He was saying bread and bite but I haven't heard those in a while. It seems it gets stuck on a letter, like B or S, and practices words that start with that letter. I wonder when he'll start with M words because I still haven't heard him say mama.
Sometimes it sounds like he says phrases like "I did it" and "what's that."

Ben signs a few words too
More
Dog
Car
All done
Bird (looks more like he's waving hi or bye)
Sleep (he just started this one)
Cat (he is still working on that one)

And of course he babbles all day. Not sure what he is saying but he has a lot to say!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.