Mega Blocks!

A great part of having kids is having an excuse to play with toys!  We recently got mega blocks for Ben to play with.  Normally he just kind of messes around with them, moving them back and forth.  We like to build towers and walls for Ben. and he loves to knock them down.  Ben also enjoys what every baby enjoys, putting the blocks in his mouth.  What Pat and I didn't know was how much fun he would think it was if we got in on the game.

Who would have thought Pat and I could have so much fun playing with children's toys?

Push up!

Look what I can do!

This block tastes different.

Father and son!

Here, Mommy.  You try.

Hello there.

I love my blocks!

-Kim

Cleaning Up

Like any good parent, I am super excited for when Ben is able to help out with chores.  I think it is good for kids to help out around the house.  They learn what it takes to take care of a home.  They learn to have a sense of pride in a job well done.  They learn responsibility.  They also learn just general life skills.  I mean, I'm not going to clean up after my kid forever, he is eventually going to have to do it himself.  Oh, and it will help me out around the house!  Yeah, that last one is a big one.  :)

Lately Ben has gotten better about putting his toys 'away.'  Away is used loosely because, well, the toys don't always end up actually put away.  Sometimes they miss the box.  Sometimes the bounce out of the box.  Something he doesn't quite let go of the toy.  Sometimes we loose interest completely.  Overall though, Ben is really starting to understand and enjoy the game of clean up.  It makes cleaning take longer at this point, but I think it is more important to have him help and learn how to clean up after himself than just do it myself.  He is learning that after we play we put our toys away, plus he is practicing his motor skills.  I just love multitasking.  :)  

It is just adorable to see how proud of himself Ben is when he puts his toys away.  I like this time where he enjoys this little game! 

Here he is practicing his new skills while Meo and Omi look on.  

So many toys out!

Time to clean up!

Look, I'm putting it away!

Just let me chew on it one more time.

I'm having so much fun!

Well, we'll keep working on it. ;)

-Kim

Fishing Fun

Back at Christmas I gave Pat the gift of a Year of Dates.  Basically I planned an activity a month for us to be sure to do, and put them in twelve envelopes.  Pat opens that month's envelope at the start of the month and we decide when we will do that activity.  Now, it hasn't worked out perfectly.  We missed a couple of dates.  Strangely enough, both the dates involved golf.  We'll get to them eventually though. The goal was to make spending time together having fun a goal.  I think we are succeeding.

This Sunday we had July's date- fishing!  Yes, this was definitely a date for Pat, not so much for me.  Fishing is fine and all, but I prefer reading instead.  Back in the days before Ben, Pat and I enjoyed spending afternoons at Silver Springs.  I would pack up some snacks, Pat would fish and I would read.  It was a lovely way to spend a quiet afternoon.  Now it is a little different, I don't get to just laze in the shade and read.  It's a little busier and there are a few more items to bring when you head out with a 10 month old.  But I know Ben loves being outside and really enjoys when we are together as a family.  So this was a good date for Ben and Pat.

To get all geared up for family fun, Ben and Pat spent some quality time building mega block walls.  Okay, Pat built the walls and Ben knocked them down.  But close enough.  Later, after second nap on Sunday, we packed up and headed to Silver Springs!  Pat enjoys the ponds they have there, and I can always find some good shady spots to sit in.  I don't want Ben's delicate baby skin to get sunburned.  And let's be honest, I don't want wrinkles from too much sun!  We got all settled into a nice spot, Pat fished, and Ben and I played.  I brought some bubbles to blow for Ben.  We used them a long time ago, when Ben was only a few months old.  He didn't seem to care about them too much.  He is a great age for them now.  He adored the bubbles.  He giggled and just lit up when I blew them.  It was a wonderful moment as a parent.  He looked at me like I was absolutely amazing, because I could blow the bubbles.  I know he won't look at me like that often or for long, but I really enjoyed being able to bring such total happiness to my son's life.  Just by blowing bubbles.  We had so much fun I forgot to take pictures while I was doing it.  Bummer about that, but now that we know he enjoys the bubbles so much, we will have to do it again!

Ben got to enjoy dining Al fresco for the second time in one weekend while we were at the park.  I enjoyed it as well.  When he threw some food around (something we are working on not doing), it was nice to just be able to toss it into the wooded area for an animal to eat, as opposed to wiping up the floor.  It was fun for all of us.

Overall, we really enjoyed our July date.  Pat got to relax and do some fishing with Ben and I nearby.  Ben got to enjoy playing and being outdoors.  And I got to spend some time with my boys.  I do enjoy getting out of the house for activities like this.  We have to pack up a lot of things to make these sort of outings happen, but it is worth it.  Once we are out of the house I can focus on Ben and Pat.  At home I am always thinking of chores I should be doing.  Laundry, cleaning the floor, cleaning out closets.  There is always something to be done.  If we aren't home, I can't do those things though.  I can put all my attention onto my family without the guilt of what I 'should' be doing.  A win for sure.

Testing the building materials

El Distructo in action!

This wall is huge!

This so fun

Watching Daddy fish.

Have toys, will travel

These baby feet love a good breeze.

Why do I have to wear a bib outside?

Fishing!

Loving on my little man

We love family outings!

My favorite little dude

-Kim

4th of July Fun

4th of July has one of the first traditions Pat and I started back when we began dating.  The first 4th of July we spent together was super hot, of course, so we decided to just hang out in the air conditioning and eat hot dogs.  Hot dogs are a traditional summer cookout food, and cheap.  Two things we enjoy.  Granted those first couple of years we made them on the George Foreman instead of a real grill, but they were still pretty good.  We thought it was funny to enjoy our holiday hot dogs while watching the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on ESPN.  Well, this little bit of fun has turned into a holiday tradition.  Every year we have hot dogs and of course watch the hot dog eating contest.  This year was no exception.

Ben and I had to work for a bit on Friday, but we ducked out of the office early to get ready for our hot dogs at home.  This year we were lucky to have Meo and Omi join us!  We played in the grass.  Then we had dinner and spent some fun time at the park.  Ben never gets tired of the swings.  He has so much fun on them!  Plus he loves watching the other kids run around.  Sadly, with all the excitement and company, Ben didn't get to watch the hot dog eating contest with us.  But after he had gone to bed and Meo and Omi headed home, Pat and I got to have a 'date night' and watch it together.  I know, it doesn't seem super romantic.  But we get a kick out of it and really enjoy our little tradition.  Way to go on your victory, Joey Chestnut!

Saturday we extended our 4th of July fun by having dinner with Ms. W and Mr. P.  This was our first time visiting their home 'out in the country,' and it was so nice!  Ben really enjoyed getting to eat outdoors.  It was great to spend time with some friends and enjoy the nice weather.  Plus I got some nice pictures!

We really enjoyed the first part of our holiday weekend.  I love building these memories with my Team!

Skyping with Gramma and Grampa!

My babies playing. :)

Feet in the grass with Meo!

What are you doing Mommy?

Hanging out on the deck.

Joy.

Eating his treat. (An ice cube, less mess)

I love this face!

Sword practice

Staring contest!

The guys in their Hawaiian finest. :)

Like father, like son expressions.

Checking things out with Omi

Picnic!

My happy boys.

-Kim

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy 4th of July!!

Time to celebrate America and spend some time with the family.  :)

-Kim

Thankful Thursday: USA

This week may seem a bit cliche, but it is true.  I am thankful for our country.  It isn't perfect.  A lot of people here don't get along.  Many people don't agree with the leadership.  We are still mixing religion and politics.  But isn't it wonderful we can talk about all these things?  We are allowed to have opinions and make them known.  We can work for changes.  Of course it can be hard, but we have many more opportunities than most people in the world.

I am thankful for all those in the armed forces who have fought, are currently fighting, and will continue to fight for our country.  That is a huge sacrifice, and I am so thankful for those who make it.

The 4th of July seems like a good time to remember all the good things about this country.  I am thankful that I get to live here.

-Kim

Give a cat a bag...

... and this happens.  It's good to see Dagger enjoying the simple things in life.  I love this little girl.  She is adorable, especially when she has no idea how silly she looks.

Cat logic: See a bag, get in it.

My bag now.

It's like a fort. :)

Exit wrong and turn into SuperKitty!

She looks ready to save the day.

My sweet girl.

Don't worry, we don't leave the bags around for her to get stuck in.  They are a supervised play time only toy.  It is just so funny how she goes straight for a bag every time.  I know everyone knows it, but it bears repeating.  Cats is strange.  I think that is what makes them so lovable.
-Kim