Day with Daddy!

This Sunday was a busy day that kept me out of the house from about 7:30am til 6pm.  The first activity was church, which Pat and Ben also attended.  But after that I was off and they were on their own.  I think this was the first full day with Pat alone on Daddy duty!  It isn't that he tries to avoid taking care of Ben, but we both love Ben and spending time with him.  And really, things just work out that Ben is usually with just me or both Pat and I.

My day was good.  I had the typical strange sensation of missing something.  I enjoyed the odd lightness of just carrying around my purse.  But at the end of the day I was so excited to get home and see my boys.  They were eating dinner when I got home, and Ben had the biggest smile on his face. The one good part of having to be apart from him is that smile when I get home.

I sat down with them, got all ready and asked, "How was it?"  Pat's answer?  "Good."  Yep, hours apart and that is the summary.  Good.  I mean, that is way better than "bad" or "worst day ever" or "Thank goodness you are finally home."  But still, good?  Next time I'm going to make Pat take notes.  ;)

-Kim

Dagger and her friends

Dagger found some friends to hang out with while Ben was napping.  They share one of her biggest interests- sitting still.  :)

-Kim

Corn Maze Part II

After the actual maze part of our corn maze adventure, we checked out the rest of what the farm had to offer.  Every year they add more and more.  This year was no exception.  Sadly Ben is still a bit too little to enjoy a lot of it, but I know next year we will be chasing him all over the place.  As it was this year we looked at the pumpkin patch, the petting zoo, the climbing toys, the grain tables, and the store.  Ben loved it!

Here are the many many pictures of the rest of our Corn Maze fun.

Mandatory sitting on some straw picture.

Everything is more fun with Daddy.

What is this thing?  It's as big as me!

Laughing at Daddy

Don't turn around, Ben!

So big!

The big play area for kids

My little cutie cop

He loves cars

In the tractor with Meo!

He knew how to steer right away!

Grain tables

Looking at soybeans

Of course he tried to eat the soybeans

Pumpkin checkers! 

In the pumpkin patch

Chilly, but having fun

-Kim

Birthday videos

It's a little late, but I finally uploaded the videos of Ben's birthday party!

Here is where we are singing to him.  Here is Ben with his smash cake.  As you can see in it Ben didn't exactly smash his cake.  He really enjoyed the strawberries, but I think the frosting was too sweet for him.  Overall he enjoyed the experience.  It would have been fun to see him really dive into the cake, but honestly I wasn't expecting it.  He has been feeding himself since he was six months old, so he knows if he doesn't want to eat something he doesn't have to touch it.  Plus there was a huge crowd staring at him.  That would make anyone a little nervous.  I think he did really well with all the attention!

It is hard to believe that the party was over a month ago!  Thank you again to everyone who came to celebrate my little man turning one.  It was such a good time!  I love watching these movies.  We're so lucky to have so many great friends and family members that love Ben.

-Kim

Corn Maze

For the past few years, Meo, Omi, Pat and I have been going to a local corn maze.  Every year we race through the maze.  The first year they had an actual race maze to go through, and sadly Pat and I lost.  That has been the only time we have lost though.  Pat and I have claimed victories at every other visit.

This year we were didn't want to be too cocky.  We would have a one year old to carry around with us.  Luckily Ben is still young enough to enjoy being worn, so I was able to strap him on and get around the maze.  And Ben loved it!!  We saw several other babies being worn around the maze too.  It was definitely the way to go.  Next year, however, I think Ben might want to walk.  That gives us a year to convince him he wants to be on Meo and Omi's team, right?

The theme for the maze this year was Cinderella.  They have several games you can play through the maze.  We decided to race by going through the maze parts that had numbered checkpoints.  There is a map of the maze and the checkpoints are labeled, making it much easier.  We decided to have Pat and I start with checkpoint 1, and Meo and Omi to start with checkpoint 8.  Pat and I have a great system for the maze.  I work the map while he scouts ahead.  He is also responsible for my general well being in the maze, since I tend to be fully focused on the map.  He makes sure I don't trip over anything or fall into a mud puddle or something.  This year I was also on baby duty, wearing Ben.  We thought we were making pretty good time.  We found our check points and were on our way to number 7.  I had just asked Pat how he though Meo and Omi were doing, when we saw them.  Yes, they too were on their way to number 7.  Somehow they had gotten from 8 to 6, and, well, that was as far as they had gotten.  We brought them with us to 7 and showed them how to get out of that section of the maze before heading onto check point 8.  You guessed it, Pat, Ben, and I won!!!  That is 4-1.  Go Team Cartwright!

Gearing up for the race!

Action shot!

With Meo and Omi!

The winners!

-Kim

Likes and Dislikes

Ben is growing more and more into toddler-hood every day.  Not only is he developing preferences for things, those preferences are getting stronger.  They can also change from day to day.  But whatever the preference of the moment, he will let us know.  Here are lists of Ben's current likes and dislikes.  Current being in the last five minutes of course.  They could always change again.

Dislikes:
1. Socks
2. Long pants
3. Wearing a coat (sensing a theme here...)
4. Getting dressed in general
5. Empty sippy cups
6. Green vegetables

Likes:
1. The kitty!
2. His train set
3. Mega blocks
4. Opening the kitchen cabinets and drawers
5. Closing the kitchen cabinets and drawers
6. Bread
7. Fruit
8. Crawling
9. Knocking on doors, walls, desks...
10. The kitty! Always the kitty!

Fortunately for us, the likes seem to outnumber the dislikes.  Sadly for Ben many of his dislikes are non-negotiable.  I too have enjoyed the warmer weather and wearing shorts and flip flops, but as well all know, winter is coming. ;)  Other than that I'll keep filling his sippy and hiding the green vegetables so he doesn't know they are there.  Heck, I have to hide some vegetables from his father too. :)

-Kim

Throw Back Thursday

Sure, it's probably a bit silly to throwback for a 13 month old.  But oh well.  This was back in April.  I love his upbeat spirit and the joy Ben brings to all around him.  Plus I think this face works well for football season.  I can just hear him cheering.  

Go Bears!

-Kim