Fun pictures

Nothing too exciting to write about here.  This past Sunday was beautiful, and we took full advantage by playing outside for a long time.  I got a bunch of cute pictures, and they really show off Ben's handsome new hair cut.  So no amusing or interesting story, just some memories of happy family time.

This was a good day.


 -Kim

First Haircut!

Ben had a big weekend.  He got his first haircut!  It was definitely time.  The back was getting a bit too long, and the front got into his eyes sometimes.  I was hesitant, because, well, because it was my baby's first hair cut!  I have adored Ben's hair as it has grown in.  I love how it came in so blond and wonderful, and stuck up all over the place.  It was so light that it wouldn't lay down on its own at first.  Everyone loved his crazy hair.  But over time the length added weight and it wasn't as crazy.  Overall, while Ben was still adorable, his hair was getting a bit shaggy.  So I made an appointment to take care of it.

We went to a local kids salon for the first cut.  I chose it in part because I wanted to make the first cut special, and they had a little first cut deal.  I also wanted to try it out since it focused completely on children.  Every station was a car or some other fun thing to sit in, and they all had tvs to watch a show.  (I know, too much tv isn't good for kids.  But neither is moving around and getting an uneven haircut. ;) )  Plus, I thought if it was a place that specialized in kids they wouldn't mind if Ben freaked out a little.

Ben did quite well!!  He liked sitting in the race car.  He got frustrated that his hands were covered by the smock they put on him, but once we got that fixed he was okay.  We chose for him to watch a Mickey video, since lately he has enjoyed Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  To make it even better, the girl next to us chose to watch Frozen, enabling Ben to look back and forth between two of his favorite videos.  (I can tell he is wondering when we're going to get a setup that good at home.  Never, sweetie, never.)  He didn't like someone touching his head so much, but he quickly settled into what was going on.  A little boy on the other side of Ben unfortunately cried throughout his whole hair cut.  I was a little worried that would set Ben off, but it seemed to actually calm him a bit.  I mean, getting your hair messed with was annoying, but it wasn't worth completely freaking out over.

The woman who cut his hair was great.  It has to be so hard to cut little kid hair.  You have to get in, cut, and get out before the cry.  All without accidentally cutting the child, or angering the parents by messing up the cut.  Plus she had to work around Pat and I taking pictures.  We also invited Meo and Omi, so yeah, not the easiest thing to do.  But she did a great job, and we are very happy with the result.

The hard thing now is that my little baby is looking less and less baby like, and more and more little boy like.  It's is exciting and sad all at the same time.  He is a very handsome little boy though. ;)

One last 'before' shot.

Unsure when we got started.

I love the mo hawk. :)

Driving the car

Looking good!

What a handsome, big boy!

I look good!

The cute certificate he got.

True, the pictures on the certificate weren't the best, but we didn't want to sit there forever while we tried to get Ben to smile for it.  In the before shot he was confused about what was going on, and I'm pretty sure in the after he's annoyed we turned of Mickey.  Still, it was a good experience.  Thank you to Meo and Omi for being there for Ben!

 -Kim

New Favorite

Ben has a new favorite.  He has been super into socks lately.  Seriously, he doesn't like to go without them right now.  It's kind of funny seeing as he really hated socks back in the fall.  Since coming around to socks, he will go and get some if he isn't wearing any.  He has one pair that he always grabs if it is available, his favorite socks.

They are green with little blue cars on them.  They are indeed super cute.  We think he likes the green.  He has other socks with cars on them, but they aren't green.  He has a second choice, his camo socks in various shades of greens and blues.  Whatever the reason, I love that he has a favorite.

Cute little feet!!

Happy kid in his favorite socks!

 -Kim

Hiking

This past weekend we took Ben hiking.  Okay, hiking is a very generous term for what we did.  We went to a local state park that has paved paths, and we took the stroller for Ben.  I suppose instead of hiking it could just be a fancy walk.  Either way, it was a lot of fun.  The day was beautiful, and fortunately for us the park was not at all crowded.  We actually took a good chunk of the morning to have this family time.  I think Ben is getting closer to going to just one nap a day.  Of course I have mixed feelings about this.  On the one hand, Yay!  No more scheduling around two naps!  More time to have fun activities!  On the other- hmmm, what am I going to do with him all morning?  I know that sounds terrible, but I will have to figure out new activities and revamp our schedule a bit.  This hike was a trial run at completely skipping the morning nap and seeing how he did.

Ben did pretty well!  He had a lot of fun on our hike.  He took his afternoon nap just fine as well.  I think for now we can definitely skip the morning nap for an activity, but I don't think Ben is ready for it to be an every day thing.  I know for sure I'm not. ;)

As I said, Ben loved being out in nature.  He quickly got into full on boy mode, grabbing sticks and trying to do everything Daddy did.  Pat loves wandering around nature, so both of them were in their element.  I was happy just spending time with them and taking pictures.

Pumped to be outside!

Watching Daddy be silly

"Look, Daddy, I found a big stick!"

Learning from Daddy

My boys!

Fencing lessons, I think

My sweet little guy

We had so much fun!

 -Kim

Little Jokester

Ben loves meal times.  Besides the love of food he has, I think he really enjoys the social aspect of sitting together and paying attention to each other.  Even when it is just him and me, he seems to enjoy himself.
This past weekend he came up with a new little game to play at lunch time.  He 'hid' his spoon next to him under his tray, then would pull it out when I asked after it.  He thought it was the funniest joke ever.  He kept doing it and laughing so hard.  I got some of it on video that you can see here, and there is a longer version here.

Ben brings so much joy to every day, I am so lucky to be his mom!

 -Kim

Be yourself...

Unless you can be Batman.  Then be Batman.  :)

Ben's Batman!

Why yes, he did have a cape.

Batman is known for his sweet dance moves.

I wish I had shirts that came with capes. ;)

 -Kim

Happy Birthday, GiGi!

Happy Birthday to Ben's great grandmother- GiGi!  We love and miss you!

Ben with is GiGi and Papa John back at his birthday. :)

 -Kim

No power!

It seems to happen at least once every tax season.  Specifically, it seems to happen every tax season somewhere in the first two weeks of April.  There is a big storm, and we lose power at the office.  Sadly, this is the type of thing that makes almost all of our work impossible to do.  We always hope it won't happen, but this past week it did.

Luckily the power wasn't out too long.  But while it was out Ben was great at keeping our spirits up despite our frustrations.

Showing Omi we don't need power to color

Loving the extra Omi attention!

This has been a crazy day!

Despite not being able to work, we had a picnic in the hallway, and got a lot of extra play time in.  Ben really helped lighten the mood and keep everyone happy.  Thanks, Ben!

 -Kim

One week...

Until April 15th!  We are super busy at work, but that doesn't mean we don't have time for a couple of shenanigans... 



Dancing with Omi!

Silly hats!

This sweet boy makes work fun

Updates will get more frequent when we get out from under this work cloud. :)

 -Kim

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!  

Ben was too busy running around like a cute little bunny to get a great picture.  But here he is trying to get Daddy to wear the bunny ears.  I love my cute bunnies!

 -Kim

Stroller fun

What's better than going for a walk in the stroller?  Pushing it of course!  Lately Ben hasn't wanted to ride in his little stroller, he just wants to push it instead.  It's pretty fun to watch.  Now if only I can figure out how to ride in it while he pushes me...

Pushing is fun!

So proud of himself!

I think we'll need to bring some outside toys to the office.  We are loving being able to go outside again!

 -Kim

Easter Eggs

This weekend Ben was well enough by Sunday to dye eggs for Easter!  I pretty much just buy whatever cheap dye kit I see first.  I liked the one we had last year, as it came with little cups to use.  (Pat and I still have a couple mugs with dye stains from years ago.)  This year I found a different one, but it was also self contained.  It had little bags to put the eggs in, then you put the dye on top.  I really liked it for little kids because Ben got to squish the dye around without getting all messy.  Overall it was nice and quick, a bonus for a toddler's attention span.

Watching to see how it's done

Squishing the dye around

Ben really paid attention!

Dagger even got in on the fun, laser kitty style

We can't wait for Easter!

It was fun, fast, and easy to clean up.  Three of my favorite things.  We're getting geared up for Easter!

 -Kim