More Benisms

Ben: A, B, C, D, E, F...Word! (with arms crossed over his chest like a gangster in a rap video). He must have learned this one at school. But it is pretty hilarious. I will try to get a video soon.

Mike: How many chicken nuggets do you want?

Ben: 4

Me: That's a lot of chicken nuggets. Your belly is going to be so big!

Ben: Like Mommy's!

Ben: (While trying to balance a toy boat on his play car). Boat fell, mommy. Doh! (slapping his palm to his forehead)

Arboretum

Better late than never, I am finally posting my pictures from Jaimee, Chris, and Lily's visit. Their first full day, we visited the Arboretum.

We started the day off with a ride around the arboretum. The kids were more interested in the snacks than the trees.

After the tour, we headed to the children's area at the arboretum. Ben and Lily found lots to keep them busy:

Benisms

Here are a few of Ben's latest nuggets of wisdom:

Me: Ben, why are you screaming?
Ben: Because I have geese in my mouth.
Me: You have geese in your mouth?
Ben: Yes, and I have to scream to get them out.

Ben, to Mike: I'm going to sweep you up and throw you in the garbage.

Me: Let's go in the kitchen and make some chicken nuggets for lunch.
Ben: No, mama. Let's get in the car, drive to McDonalds, get chicken nuggets, and bring them home. Okay? (I swear we do not eat at McDonalds that often. Maybe once a month.)

Swimming

Like most kids, Ben loves the water. We are lucky enough to have a Nana and Papa with a swimming pool. Here are some pictures and a video of Ben "swimming" a few weeks ago.

While Jaimee and Lily were visiting, we got a chance to go back to the pool. Lily and Ben loved it, despite the unseasonably chilly weather.

Ben even braved the diving board for the first time:

When It's Time for Bed

As Ben's bedtime approaches, he gets a little slap happy. Here he is the other night, just before bedtime. We had Brad and Denise over for dinner, and Ben sure loves an audience...

Thank You Gammy and Gampy

Ben received his very own package in the mail today!

Swedish Days

Last year we went with our friends Meg, Ed, and Scarlett to Swedish Days and decided to make it an annual event.

 The kids rode in comfort and style in their wagon with shade canopy (it was SUPER hot).

Then we wandered the fest and sampled the food. Ben loves a good meatball. Ed thought he'd bought himself a meatball sandwich -- think again Ed. Ben suckered him into giving up most of that one.

 Both kids liked the french fries.

 This year we had a new addition to our group - Baby Harrison, Meg and Ed's 4 month old.

 Ben kept hydrated. Very important. ;-)

 And corn on the cob was a huge hit!

 Once we'd filled up, we headed out to find a good spot from which to watch the parade.

 Here's Ben waving to the firetruck, his favorite of the day.

He sat on the curb (on my lap mostly) and watched this parade for at least an hour, even though it was past nap time and he must have been tired and hot.

 These were my favorites of the day. And then the camera battery died...