Father's Day Project

With the help of his teachers at Creative World, Ben made this for Dada!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Ben. He has the cutest little grin on his face, and something about the suit and tie just made me realize, he is not my baby anymore; he is a toddler.

Once we've enjoyed it on the fridge for a while, I think I will have to frame this one. It's definitely a keeper!

On the back, he left his hand print. Adorable!

A Little Bit of Everything

Here is a quick video where I quiz Ben on his body parts. He just learned butt the other day (both where it is and how to say it). And you can't make it out too well, but when you ask where his eyes are, he closes them tight and then pokes himself in the eye. This was not just an accident caught on video. He does this every time you ask him. Classic.

Then Mike jumps in and swings him upside down (his favorite), then he tells the camera bye bye.

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Summer Gear

Now that summer is finally here, Ben is able to up his cool factor with his new hat and sunglasses. Just like Dada.


I think this face says it all.

Ben Loves Dada

I used to be Ben's go-to person. But as he gets older, Dada seems to be moving up to that number 1 spot. Ben still prefers me when he wants to be comforted, but when he is in the mood to play, he prefers Dada. Here he is planning a sneak attack on Mike with his golf club (a.k.a. his weapon).


And here is where both "kids" sit while Mike mows the front yard. My poor little short stack. This will be much easier on him when he grows a few inches.

Father's Day Part 1

Over the weekend, Dad and Beth came over for an early father's day dinner.

Ben discovered the thrill of a straw this weekend, so now any time I have a drink with a straw, he wants it. I had to dump out the remainder of my iced tea so that he could play with the cup and straw. He really gets a kick out of pulling the straw in and out, in and out. Over, and over, and over again.

Grandpa kept Ben entertained while Mike and I finished up the dinner preparations.

And Dee kept Bud, their new puppy, entertained while we ate. Bud is the sweetest, most well-behaved puppy I've ever seen. What an angel. And Dee really took to him. Not one bark. Just some playing and a lot of following him around. He almost makes me want a puppy friend for Dee. Almost.

Meanwhile, the rest of us had steak, potatoes, asparagus, and tomato bread. Mmmm.

Dee Did It

Ben might have found his way into the wrapping paper.

I say might because when I confronted him on the topic, despite the overwhelming evidence, he assured me with this innocent look that he had nothing to do with it. And then he told me it was all Dee.

Side note 1: Sorry about the crappy picture quality. My camera was still at Brad's, so the phone was all I had.

Side note 2: I cannot get over the cuteness of Ben in those athletic shorts, just like Dada wears.

Cheerios

Ben recently moved up to the next room at daycare. Rather than feed him breakfast of baby fruit and oatmeal, they said now he should be feeding himself and to bring in something for him. So I made a bowl of cheerios (regular mixed with a smidge of honey nut) with milk. Big hit!

He was so interested in his breakfast on Friday that for the first time in months, he did not cry and run after me when I left. He just sat at the table shovelling in the cheerios and drinking his milk and watched me go, with an expression that said "Whatever. I've got Cheerios."

This morning we took Ben and Dee to the Naperville River Walk, where Ben enjoyed his cheerios. Since we had Dee, we got bagels and ate outside. Dee was anxious to get a move on and explore.

There was no high chair and the tables were way too high for Ben. But he loved standing with Dada to eat. He also loved the bites of bagel with peanut butter we gave him.



Good stuff!

Here is a short video of Ben saying hi and bye and eating Cheerios.