Ninja Ben

The past two nights Daddy has slept on our comfy couch because his back is raging. He finds when he sleeps there he does a better job of elevating his legs and wakes up functioning better than our fancy Tempurpedic mattress. I kind of agree. I get the BEST sleep on that dang cheap sectional sofa! I am considering trashing our bed and replacing it with the same sofa we have in the living room! We parents would sleep better and there would be a ton more space in our bedroom suite! :)

But enough about us... Ben, Ninja that he is, has every night this week that Daddy has been on his own in the living room, snuck into our bedroom and snuggled in with me. I don't even notice until I go to roll over and he is all spooned up on my back. This kid is good! 

He has got me to wondering if he wanders in every night while we sleep and assesses the situation. Usually it is mom plus dad in full size bed equals no room for Ben so he goes back to his bunk. But the past few nights he has been all, "Sweet! Dad's broken! I get the fancy Tempurpedic!" (vs the $99 BJs brand...)

All in a week's work

Emsadoodle has perfected her playdoh / clay creations craft. This girl is outstanding when it comes to creating creatures for our viewing pleasure. The pic below is just a sampling of her creations. The other morning she woke up early with Ben. While he whiled the 6am hour away problem solving with the iPad via ABs (come on, you know what I'm referring to...) she chose a much more artsy way to utilize her time - she created with clay an entire ABs world, including the birds, sling shots, the crazy claymation characters, etc. It was AMAZING! As 7:01am is entirely too early for me to remember to take pictures of said creations, you are left to view a random playdoh creation. If you had to name it, what would you?

It's a piece of pizza with long hair! or Mommy! or ____________!

Emsadoodle is also kickin' bootie at t-ball. Those $1.50 thrift store cleats are coming in handy! Look at this mega-athlete's form as she runs the bases (an eventual homerun, I might add... [oh, wait, all kids pretty much hit a home run at this age...] )

Can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread man!

We also love t-ball because it gets us outside and enjoying the sunshine and meeting "new friends" on a Saturday afternoon. Ben whiles the hour away with whatever younger sibling also got dragged along to said practice playing soccer, lacrosse, hippity hop, etc - you name it, our minivan has it in the back!

Speaking of Ben... this awesome kid has been wowing PTA moms all week with his behavior. On Wednesday, the PTA hosted the staff appreciation luncheon for the whole elementary school. Teachers, admin, bus drivers, janitors, grounds keepers, etc joined us for a fully catered lunch chock full of all things YUM. This particular day was a 5 hour one - from set up to serving to clean up. Ben was my sidekick the entire day and could not have been a better wing man. He sat quietly pretty much the ENTIRE time in the corner knoshing on homemade chocolate chip cookies and playingwiththeIpad which really means he played angrybirdsforfivehoursbutdon'ttellanyoneokaybecausethatmakesmelooklikeabadparent. The other moms / slash school personel were remarking, "He is so well behaved! Look at how well he sits!" Little did they know that this kid was in HEAVEN. Seriously, heaven on Earth - as enacted by a four year old.

Just tell them I am playing "phonics" games, Ma!

We also had a few play dates this week. I only captured this one. Ben crashed the tea party but the girls did not seems to mind.

Carrots and tomatos with hummus. That's what the British serve, no?

We had a sunshiny "Books and Blankets" session with the Kindergarteners this week - finally! That's when parents / relatives / babysitters / friends are welcomed into the classroom to snuggle in with their favorite K and read a bunch of books (or be read to). The Spring has been cold and rainy so we have been inside for each of the sessions so far, but this week we made it outside and snuggled up on a blankie and had a reading blast. Here is an after pic of Em and her favorite class pals.

Angelina, Hailey, Anna, and Em. All for one and one for all!

After books and blankets, Ben and I headed to the harbor for some f-f-f-foolin'. The sun has been a rare occurance this Spring so we needed to take advantage of the outdoors! We ran around on the pier checking out the boats. We threw rocks into the water. We climbed the giant rock wall barrier. Good fun!

How many kerplops can I make in the water in one shot?

My little man can now maneuver this rock retaining wall on his own. That doesn't stop my heart from being in my throat the entire time!

Seriously, Ma, I am 4 and weigh like 40 lbs. Yes, the rocks are slippery from erosion, but sheesh, lady,  take a chill pill.

We signed up the kids for free bowling all Summer long. It was pouring rain yesterday so while Em was in school, Ben and I decided to give the game a try. Ben bowled the first two frames with no ramp, the ball took a good hour to make it down to the pins. The bowling alley worker took pity and offered up this ramp. Ben thought it was THE COOLEST INVENTION since the ABs slingshot and spent the rest of the game perfecting angles and push factor. (Who freakin' said that ABs hasn't helped this kid get the physics of the world???) I beat him both games [picture me blowing on my nails ego inflated], the first game score was 97-61 and the second game was 113-73. [Now picture me with my tail between my legs because I used the bumpers to my advantage on more occasions that I would like to broadcast!]

If I use the blue ball when it reaches the pins I can tap it and it explodes into three birds, I mean balls...

After our bowling extravaganza we headed to library class. We were (literally) two minutes late and 6 kids were already swarming the train tracks. I looked at Ben to see his reaction and he was all "whatever" - I'll build this awesome "castle" and tell everyone I am practing for the castle building contest that is being held tomorrow. (*footnote... we watched a random episode of Oswald [the awesome octopus from Emma's youth] and it was about building sand castles for a contest. Ben was recreating this! ...love this kid...) As soon as he was done building, he requested we leave the library "class" and head upstairs to the children's library where he could play with all the cool puzzles and legos and leve the "little kids" behind. *sigh, my boy is growing up!*

I'm gonna win first prize, Ma!!

Last night Emma rocked the stage at her school's "Talent Show". She and her friend, Angelina, (pictured below in the middle) sang the themesong to a show she has only watched a few times because we do not get the Disney channel - "Sofia the first". It was beyond AWESOME - the audience was HUGE and very encouraging and they did a SPECTACULAR job. Angelina ruled the mic, and Emma was stellar with the dance moves they worked out. We could not have been more proud at their confidence on stage in front of so many people at age 5!!!

"It's gonna be my time, to show you all that I'm..." EMMA!

Run for your life!

Friday marked the yearly "Walk/Run" (Run/Walk??") at the elementary school. This is the first year Emma could participate (the preK class does not) and they have been preparing in PE class for what seems like ages. Em's class pictured below were so very excited to run this. The parents were invited to run it with the students so I dug out my "home grown 5k sneakers" (remember that phase me and my local pals went thru? - next year for you, Henry's mommy!) and laced them up tight for the 1 mile run.

Excited to run! Can you spot our toe head?

The Kindergarteners are FAST. I figured they would burn out quick and want to walk (and by figured I meant HOPED...) but these kids were the little engine that could. They kept huffing and puffing and I had no choice but to keep on keeping on lest be shown up at the finish line by a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds.

I'm still ahead of you, ma!

Emma and I had tons of cheerleaders hooting and hollering for us along the sidelines. Our pal, LeighAnn caught this awesome pic!

I'm about to leave this kid in my dust...

Daddy was cheering with Ben at the half way point. Ben's pal Sammy's mom was running the race with a double running stroller with an empty seat, so Ben climbed in and she (can you say STUD MAMA) finished out the race pushing an extra Ben-40lbs with her daughter, Emma's best pal Anna.
It was heaps of fun and I could not have been any prouder of Emma and her classmates for running the entire race. I truly did not expect them to run the entire mile. Their teacher was waiting at the finish line with Italian Ice (maybe that was the secret?) where they cooled down before heading back to class for the day. It was the perfect day for running - sunny and 70, not too hot and not too cool. Thank you, Mother Nature, for cooperating.

Yesterday was a busy/fun day. The kids came to the office with us in the morning while we worked, then Em had t-ball from 1-2. Daddy played "lacrosse" with Ben while Em practiced and I chatted the hour away with another mama. E and B were invited to a birthday bouncy party from 5:30 to 7:30. I knew the party would conclude with pizza and cake so I needed to figure out what I could give the kids for their "early bird" dinner at 5pm that they wouldn't upchuck while bouncing the evening away. They had an absolute blast at the party - me, not so much because little tiny Ben (that speck in the middle of the climbing ladder) was obsessed with this 917 foot high (not that high, but may as well have been) bouncy slide structure. My heart was in my throat the entire party and he ended out the night with "just" a twisted ankle and some raw elbows... Many of Em's best pals had their birthday parties here this year and she is obsessed with having her Summer birthday party here, too. I am not too excited about it and am happily accepting alternative location suggestions to spend her special day...

Chill out, ma! I've got this...

May Day

Mother's Day weekend / my birthday kicked last's years celebrations in the bootie. Last year = flu and down for the count. This year Ben's flu like symptoms had me nervous for a repeat, but the nutribullet blasts have super powered my immune system and I kept it at bay and ENJOYED my weekend immensely.

It possibly was due to the fact that I was surrounded by family - we made the rainy trek to PA for an overnighter. But worth all the driving to celebrate with family!

Ben fell asleep just as we were nearing Gramma Lou's house. Daddy carried him indoors and in his sleep, Ben asked for Gramma's geo-track trains. Some things never change...

This pic was taken Mother's Day morning. How lucky am I?

I had no intention of dressing them in jailbird matching costumes...

We came home Monday. Em missed a day of school. Whatever - get used to it truant officer, family trumps education every time. :)

Busy week once again... So busy that Ben, after an "I WANT TO PLAY ON THE IPAD BUT YOU WON'T LET ME" tantrum, got sent to his room this afternoon and all of the sudden it got real quiet. To me that means mischief but to Ben it means, "Fine, I'll catch up on some needed sleep!" I cannot tell you the amount of work I got done in the ensuing 90 minutes - it was so darn quiet in the Penthouse! When I told Daddy what happened, he casually mentioned that maybe we should send Ben to his room every afternoon... (By the way, have I mentioned [minus one trip to the emergency room because Ben took a header off the top bunk and knocked himself out cold] how much I LOVE these bunk beds? Seriously! Do you know how much clutter I can hide in those gigantic drawers???)

Well, hello naptime. Long time no see. Don't be a stranger!

Come back, little man

Benny had a rough night last night. He was asking to snuggle by midnight. By 2am Daddy was pushed out of bed and banned to the couch so our little man could snuggle...

He was still feverish this morning after Em left for school so we hit up the pediatrician. Ears, good. Throat red. Glands slightly swollen. Swab for Strep and PUKE PUKE PUKE PUKE PUKE.

Yep. you got the visual. The strep came back negative so the doc figured that the swab stimulated the gag reflex and because his stomach was "off" he kept on puking and puking and puking. (Yes, that means we both left the dr office covered in vomit. Good times.) She diagnosed him with the stomach flu that is going around.

We got home, cleaned up and BOOM - my happy little man was back.

Then at 2 pm, he needed to poop. Diarrhea - but just a quick spurt!

Happy again. I get Em off the bus, still happy. Then 5pm - bewitching hour. His fever is back. He is miserable. Falls asleep on the couch at 6pm. I put him to bed. Raging fever. He refuses meds.

From 6-7:20 Emma and I snuggle and read books to each other. She really is an extraordinary reader. I continue to be amazed at the words she diagnoses and the level of books she is reading and comprehending.

7:21 Ben stumbles down the hall. It's like he is drunk, burning up, shaking like a leaf. I snatch him up and snuggle him hard. Em freaks out in a fit of jealousy. How dare you, Ben, for ruining our girls time together?

(Note to self, make more girl time for Emma.)

 Somehow get both kids to brush their teeth and into bed. Emma is still reeling from "neglect". Ben falls asleep - or so I think. Daddy walks in the door to my rescue. He soothes Em. He snuggles Ben. Ben decides after a few minutes he wants me. I go snuggle him and his pillow is soaked. Fingers crossed the fever has broken.

It has been over an hour and he is sleeping peacefully...

Happy Mother's Day!!! And, just so you know, I wouldn't trade it for a billion $$ in gold.

Chomping at the bit

The Denver contingency is having withdrawals so I needed to put down the novel I have been engrossed in (The Midwife of Hope River), pick up my laptop and clear the cobwebs out of my brain and get to work.

We have been busy with end of school year activities. PARP was the last two weeks (parents as reading partners) and it culminated with a carnival at the school that the PTA hosted. There were lots of games and face painting - Ben actually sat still while a stranger painted a caterpillar on his face, our boy is a-growin' up. That caterpillar turned into a melted mess by the end of the evening because Ben was running around like a mad man jumping off bleachers and being the typical dare devil he has turned into... Luckily I had a Daddy with me to wrangle children while I helped run the event. In the picture below, he is stringing a necklace with very tiny wild animal faces - I honestly didn't think he would have the ability to do it but he once again proved me wrong. This was the only time of the evening he was taking his time. He carries the string around with him now and sleeps with it at night. That is safe, right?

Ben be nimble. Gross motor skill number 17, check!

We are blessed to have become pals with a family in our school district with a boy Ben's age and a girl in Emma's class. They have a girl in 1st grade, too - she is super sweet and fits right in when we all get together. On Sunday we all went to an Autism awareness fundraiser at a local golf course and had a blast. Em and the girls did crafts while Ben and Sammy played the afternoon away. And by played - let me esplain - "Hey, Sammy, let's play hide and seek." "Okay, Ben. You count, I'll hide." Ben counts to 10 in lightening speed, Sammy "hides" about 6 inches from where Ben is standing covering his face. Ben looks around for 1 second and yells, "I found you!" Switch! Repeat! We grown ups were cracking up. This went on all afternoon!

Hide and seek is a strenuous game. We need some drinks.

I am happy to report the little legos continue to be a big hit. Ben spends tons of time building and asks less for the iPad (but don't get me wrong he still asks for the iPad 23 of 24 hours in the day). He was pretty awesome about switching back to the big legos yesterday though when Sammy was over for a playdate because Sam couldn't quite build with the little ones yet. (What a difference 8 months makes!)

Take a picture of my towers, Ma!

This is a great shot of Sam. I will never ever be able to say no to kidsitting this kid. He is so stinkin' cute and he and Ben get along so well.

I like dinosaurs and ninja turtles. How about you?

The elementary school had their annual art show last night. It is quite an event! All the kids wares from the year are on display all over the school and I was overwhelmed with emotion and pride and gratitude knowing how much emphasis is still placed on art and music and gym in this school. I know so many other friends around the States whose schools don't offer them anymore and it saddens me.

Emma chose to defy mediocrity and go with a matte finish. Don't change, sweet girl!

Ben felt a little warm this morning as I loaded him into the car to go to school. He wasn't complaining so I didn't think much of it. The moms were invited back to school at 11am for a "Mother's Day Tea". They kids sang three awesome mom themed songs - but poor Ben just kind of stood there looking miserable. He is usually quite the ham so I knew something was up. When they finished and sat down to tea with us, he kind of leaned weakly into me and was burning up. The teachers then mentioned he wasn't his usual happy go lucky self. We ate a quick cookie and he was all, "Can we go home now?" so we bugged out and snuggled on the couch all afternoon. He did not mention a sore throat or hurting ears so I figured I would see how he sleeps tonight before taking him to the doctor. A few pals of ours had the 24 hour mystery fever this past week so fingers crossed he wakes ready to rumble tomorrow.

Look at how miserable he looks compared to the other cuties.

The PTA plant sale is this week. Emma's class did their shopping today. We came home with this awesome flower and pot and butterfly stick all chosen by Em.

Aren't I a great gift?

I chose to purchase a bunch of herbs which Em helped me transplant this afternoon. I have no use for anything except the parsley (which by the way I eat that much every day and I just don't think it can regenerate itself every 24 hours... sigh) but I am sure Daddy can find some use for fresh basil, oregano, and thyme.

But will they grow in my window? Wish me luck.

writer's block

I've been busy with work and PTA so no time to write. Sorry future Emma and Ben. But Summer is coming! :)

Sunshine!

While Gramma Lou and I were having a playdate in the big city on Sunday with our pal, Bette Midler, Daddy entertained the children on a sunshiney day. As Emma was still sick, she wasn't in the mood for anything that required a lot of energy - luckily eating her first ice cream of the season from our favorite place in port is not one of those energy requiring things...

Daddy's sure looks good to me!

I never buy a whole one for Ben - we usually split it because I know he is just going to eat a bite or two (three at the most) and the rest will go into the trash. Daddy splurged and got him his own and reported that Ben would scoop out a spoonful, look at it from all angles first, then put it into his mouth. It took approximately 1 hour for him to consume the three bites before it made its way into the basura. And, his clothes were covered in chocolate. Yep.

Emma is back to school finally. We sent her back on Tuesday - she came home exhausted to the bone but said she had a good day in general. The strep/double ear infection turned into a nasty head cold over the weekend - I have never seen so much mucus. Gross. She finally started eating again Tuesday night, but her appetite is not quite 100% yet.

Through the sickness I discovered one thing, I regularly am challenged getting her to eat or drink anything before she goes to school - she is just not a breakfast girl - but they don't eat lunch until 1:00 and by that time she is ravenous! I made ice pops with the fusion juice I prefer my kids to drink to help soothe her sore throat. She has continued to ask for them every morning even now that she is feeling better. I feel better knowing she has at least 4 ounces of juice (albeit frozen to start) in her system versus nothing as per usual. Now the challenge of remembering to make popsicles every night!

Yesterday morning Ben came into my room at 6am and whispered in my ear, "Mom, I need your help. I pee peed in my undapants while I was dreamin and I gotta put dese new ones on." It was so dang adorable! And, I am happy to report it was just a few drips not a full on bed wetting. Phew!

Ben had his field trip to the farm on Tuesday. I was working the book fair at the school so Daddy got to enjoy it with him. Daddy said at one point the farmer lady asked a question about one of the animals and Ben answered intelligently and fluidly and impressed the farmer and all the parents in attendance! I give 100% of his animal knowledge credit to the Kratt brothers from PBSkids. LOVE that show! (Wild Kratts)

He got to hold a bunny, a chic, feed a baby goat, and see tons of farm animals. Thankfully it was another beautiful Spring day that was enjoyed by all.

I want to kiss you, and hug you, and call you George.