Hearts

When we were shopping at Sprouts together Ben looked at me and said with so much sincerity, "Mom, when I look at you I have hearts in my eyes". Oh my sweet, sweet boy!

New sneakers

I took Benjamin out to buy some new sneakers today and the only they ones he was interested in were "Dora" sneakers. I kept telling him that they were for girls, that he could not get those, that unfortunately he would be laughed at, the whole nine but he really didn't give up (so I brought out the big guns...candy) and he forgot about the sneakers.

Cranky thing

When I was making dinner tonight I asked Ben if he wanted to help, he was so "sited" to help me and asked right away where the "cranky thing" is, I didn't understand at first but then I realized he meant the can opener. What a funny kid!

The whole of you

I really can't get over how sweet and complimentary Ben is, always telling me he likes my hair and that I look beautiful. Getting ready for work last weekend he was complimenting me and then said "the whole of you looks beautiful". Melt my heart.

Little funny man

So during splash camp Ben made a friend and one day in the car he mentioned the "little boy with the brown face", I didn't know what race or really what he was referring to at all until I looked at a picture I took of him with Aaron and Christian (two best buds) and I saw in the background a cute little black boy. A few nights later we were watching t.v. and there was an inter-racial couple on, the man was black and had quite a large fro. I asked Ben what he thought and he said "Well Mom, he has like horrible hair". The kid has me in stitches, constantly.

Intense

Not sure how this came about but it's something I surely don't want to forget. Awhile back Ben said "Mommy I love you INTENSE" and I melted, how cute is that? Intense! Perfect way to describe it. He was just playing with his trains and I said "Ben, guess how much I love you?" I thought perhaps he would say "to the moon and back" but he didn't, he said "Intense?". YES, ABSOLUTELY! INTENSE!

Compliment

Today at TJ Maxx after trying on a bunch of shorts and tops with him I pulled on a teal dress and he looked at me with complete surprise and said "Mom, YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL". Of course I bought the dress but my heart also swelled and I kissed him a thousand times and told him how much that meant to me. The ladies trying on clothes all commented on how sweet that was. My little charmer. I hope I never forget these moments.

Korean

I was showing Ben some Korean pictures, traditional dress, food, etc. and talking to him about being half Korean but he doesn't think he is, he tells me all of the time that "he's English". Hahaha....nope buddy, you are most certainly NOT English. You speak it, that's all.

Easter

When Ben and I recently talked about Easter he asked me after I told him he was going to sit on the Easter bunny's lap "Is it a him or a her?" Haha.

I'm back.

So I took quite a bit of time off, life gets busy and with Facebook (and all of my friends and family immediately being able to see the pictures and fun things Ben says) I have neglected my blog BUT I LOVE the hardbound coffee table book that I made of the blog from the first 3 years of his life so much that I decided it's time, to come back. He's saying such funny things I know that even if pictures aren't posted as often, sayings will be. So, let me start by telling you that his imagination is just running wild. He told me today, as we were playing "going to work" today while I was getting ready for work that he was going to go and start work by making "10 monies" and then have lunch. Nice! Must be an easy job? He also mentioned his feet are black, on the bottom, I told him he needs a bath, he replied quickly "No Mom, they're just like Lucy's". I will be sure and post more of my little Man's funny and wonderful thoughts, how could I not, he is too precious.

Little sayings

Benjamin couldn't be at a better age for making me laugh with his little imagination and funny sayings. He told me the other day that he wanted to take a nap in Daddy's room, he thinks the guestroom is Daddy's, the Master is mine and of course he has his room. Silly guy!
Then the other night we were watching "Dancing with the Stars" and out of the clear by sky he said "Mommy, you could do that", I replied, quite surprised that he thinks I can dance with a "really?" and he said "Yeah, you and Daddy could dance like that". My funny boy.
Yesterday he was talking about how Aaron would have a Dinosaur cake for his birthday and he would have Thomas and I interjected with the fact that Aaron's birthday wasn't until next March but his was right around the corner and he looked around and said "over there?". Love how he takes things so literally.

Imagination

I just can't get over his sweet little imagination at this age. This morning in the bathtub there was some soap bubble and the milky part of the top of the water and he looked down at some openings in it and said "these are the windows". Oh, okay then Ben, very observant you little cutie!

Lion punch

I love "Ben speak", he calls juice that James picked up "Lion" (Island) punch, makes me giggle. He's just so full of cuteness, it's almost unbearable.

Hahahaha!

There was a commercial on t.v. with a dark haired, dark skinned, maybe Latin animated boy and Ben looked up, pointed and said "That boy looks like Ben". That made me laugh out loud, the boy looked nothing like Ben but apparently Ben sees himself as a darker little guy. What a kid! He's so full of funny little outbursts, this morning he came up to me and said "I see cupcakes up der, I weally like one". Now he's playing and saying "remember when I was tall, like you". Hmmmm? He really is a funny kid!

Mommy, remember...?

Lately Benjamin has been asking is if we remember, EVERYTHING. He asks if we remember when he got his new Thomas the Train backpack from Aaron, well yes Ben, that was YESTERDAY. He cracks me up every single day.

Vacation to Minnesota

We got back from Minnesota last Thursday and boy oh boy, it sure didn't feel like we were gone for 10 days. Time really does fly when you're having fun and fun was had!
It was so relaxing, gorgeous, temps were amazing and the entire trip was as perfect as it could have been. The first couple of days I got to spent time with my girlfriend Jessica and her Son Walter, they stayed for an extra couple of days since they were there visiting her folks and sort of saying good-bye, they will be retiring to Florida now. We had a lot of fun, making dinner, going to the beach, drinking beer and visiting a humongous herd of Buffalo. Walter is a handsome, smart, little conversationalist. We planned a big family potluck and got to see all of Dad's Sisters and all of my Cousins except for Heidi, Grandma was thrilled to have her family together and it meant so much to me that everyone came and had a great time. Benjamin just loved playing with all of the kids. Everywhere we went there was a park, perfect for a 3 year old to play to his hearts content. We spent a lot of time on the River, boat rides, fishing, taking in the scenery, what a breath-taking state Minnesota is. The whole trip was incredible, absolutely wonderful and I'm thrilled we had as many wonderful experiences as we did.

Mud puddles

We got quite the monsoon tonight and went out to play in the rain, of course Ben found a mud puddle and had a blast playing in it. Such fun to be a little boy!

Grandma Bev

This morning my Grandma Bev and I had one of our wonderful, lengthy conversations where we laugh a lot, sometimes we cry too, we are two women cut from the same cloth so tears are not uncommon. We touch base on everything going on in our lives and tell each other things that we would only share with each other. Our relationship is so special, always has been. I've always adored her, felt so much love from her and appreciate what we have. When I was a little girl she always sent cards with dimes in the special slots for holidays and in high school I frequently visited with her after school, sat on the red stool in her kitchen, had a diet soda (that's what she drinks:-) and chatted for hours on end. We haven't lived in the same town very many years of my life but we never let distance come between us. She smells just like heaven, in fact yesterday we were at Macy's, Ben loves riding the escalators and I enjoy sneaking a peek at the latest and greatest fashions, I sprayed the new "Coach" perfume on and it smelled like her, I smelled my wrist all day and night. I've asked her what it is but she just says "Nothing special Ella, just soap". Maybe it's just her natural scent. This morning she told me a couple of really funny stories about Dad after I told her how out of the clear blue sky Benjamin said "Today's a good day" and my heart almost melted, what a sweet boy I have.
One of the stories I hadn't heard was that when Dad was about 4 he wanted a Horse, of course Grandma had to tell him that's not possible but he was convinced he could keep that Horse in his room. My Dad, always a funny one. The other story was that when her brother shot a deer and gave them Venison roast Grandma told the kids her brother shot it and Dad exclaimed "Then who shot the potatoes?". Again, my Dad has always had a wonderful sense of humor. I'm really looking forward to getting one of the best hugs in the Universe from Grandma Bev, just a few short days from now and I'll be sitting on that red stool in the kitchen, marveling at how she throws a few things in a bowl, mixes it, bakes it and out comes the most mouth watering food I've ever had.

Minnesota

In one week we are headed to Minnesota for 10 days. We are so looking forward to spending time with my Dad, Sister, Grandma Bev, Cousins, Aunts and friends and enjoying the cooler temps and lushness of the river country. I just wish we weren't headed out because my Dad had a 4th heart attack a couple of weeks ago and the only thing I could think of was heading there to see him and be with him as soon as possible. I also wish James was coming with us, I don't know how we are going to handle being away from him for so long, we'll miss him like crazy. I know the trip will be wonderful but right now I am having some anxiety. My Dad's place is small, I mean TINY so we will be sleeping (I hope we sleep) on an air mattress in the livingroom. If the weather is nice we will be a-okay, no we will be a-okay regardless. Everything will be just fine.

XOXO

Dear Benjamin,
I went to work tonight and you were constantly on my mind. I came home and you were still awake so we snuggled in your bed together and chatted, you hugged me so tightly and I knew you missed me as much as I missed you. I feel so lucky to be able to stay home with you during the week and work on weekends because our time together is so much fun and so very precious, just like you my beautiful boy. Your smile lights up the Universe and your interest and curiosity in different things, learning, asking "why", blowing me away with your memory and smart mind are all so fun to witness. I love you Ben, more than the moon, the stars, the earth, the air I breathe, more than anything and I continue to love you more and more with each passing day. Thank you for being my Son, it's the greatest blessing. You are my little muffin man and I adore you.
Love,
Mom

Best buds

Our best friends Lindsey, Jack and Aaron came home on Monday from being in Utah for the past month, we sure missed them and are thrilled they came home. We met them yesterday at the splash pad at Desert Ridge and then "Toddler Tuesday" at The Playfactory, our boys bounced to their hearts content. Today we went to Arcadia Tavern for lunch and then to play at their house, they add so much fun to our lives! Lindsey and I get a huge kick out of the fact that our boys act like brothers, have a hard time sharing and today even got into a little slapping fight that we had to stop. Ahhh, boys!

Thomas ANYTHING

I have to laugh at how Ben can find Thomas the Train things everywhere we go. This morning we dashed in to Walgreens and he immediately found these bubbles, luckily they were WAY cheaper than anything else Thomas related. He's been having tons of fun blowing bubbles.

It was SO BRIGHT

Ben just told me it was "so bright when I was born". Wow. Wonder where that came from?

Wheee

My shirtless boy loves his swing set and can really get some air, even though it's a hot one out there but we still like swinging and feeling some breeze.

Ranch

Ben told us that there was a Monster in the bathroom and his name was "Ranch", everytime James asked him a question about the color of his eyes, hair, skin, teeth and nails he told us he was "red". What a funny little imagination he has!

Laundry

Tonight was by far the most fun I've ever had putting all of our laundry away. We usually wash a few loads and then dread folding and hanging but my little helper put it away in the dressers with so much pride, high 5's and lots of enthusiasm! I hope this lasts for a long, long time, but I'm not optomistic. :-)

Proof

Lots of laughs

Thank God so many things that Benjamin does or says make me laugh so hard since he can also be a real handful or a cranky pants kid. I just changed his shorts after his nap but he threw the ones I was going to put him in (that matched) and he picked out a plaid pair that look absolutely awful with the green Sesame Street polo he is wearing, this might just need a pic for proof. My funny boy!

Taking turns

After the gym today we headed over to whole foods to grab lunch and out of the clear blue sky Ben asked if he could drive the car because "we should take turns"...hmmmm?

Float your boat

We went out for dinner last night and at one point I asked James if he thought Benjamin would like green tea ice cream, I do but James doesn't. I said that we would be going to the Asian market after dinner and could get some and he replied "Whatever floats your boat" to which our little man said "Mommy, can I go in your boat?"