Social butterfly

So everywhere we go Ben says "Hi, how are you?" to anyone he comes in contact with. He's expanding his language skills but the funny thing is that not everyone can understand him and if they can and they respond they don't get the proper response from him, he just asks them AGAIN how they are, we've got to work on that. He is such a funny little boy and a source of endless entertainment. I love, love, love him!

My li'l guy

Funny

Ben has been very entertaining lately, just cracking us up. This morning in the bath, (he had to have one before we go to the gym because he still had paint on himself from yesterday's painting he was doing outside, he loves to paint but it gets on his knees, elbows, everyhere) I wanted to feel his molar that just came in and see if there were any others (bad idea) and he bit me, hard. I screamed, some not too appropriate words, he, of course, repeated me and then I couldn't stop laughing. I know, BAD Mama, but it WAS funny. So, what does he say, as tears are streaming down my cheeks from the pain and his humor?? He tells me I'M FUNNY. He loves to say funny, particularly when someone is laughing. They call him "The greeter" at the gym because of his friendly nature and wanting to say "Hi" to everyone that comes in to the daycare, then if they laugh he says "funny". However, he's the funny one!

Life is never boring

Having a 2 year old means never having a minute of boredom in your life. Ben is so active, needs to be active or else he finds things to get in to. Just this morning he took a stool in to the bathroom so that he could have a bit more height to reach for things he shouldn't have. Last week we went out to see The Dunn's and have dinner and before dinner Ben got to play with some of their neighbors, he just loved it. This morning we went to the splash pad at Desert Ridge and met the new Mom's and kids group we joined, what a great time that was! We look forward to many more of those meetups!

World Wildlife Zoo and Aquarium

We decided to check out the new aquarium at the World wildlife Zoo this afternoon and although it was interesting to me and James and we could have and would like to have spent some time looking at the fish, penguins, sharks, eels and all of the other cool sea creatures, Ben had other plans. He just ran away from us and really wasn't on his best behavior. We decided to give it another try in a year or so, at that point it looks like the rest of the construction will be complete and perhaps since our 2 year old will then be 3 it will be more interesting to him. The only funny part of our excursion was that the loud Macaws freaked him out, I could see why, they were almost as big as him and bickering with each other. The noise those birds make is anything but pleasant when they are fighting.

Joes Farm Grill

We saw an Episode of Diner's, Drive-In's and Dives that talked about this place and I got interested in checking it out because of the gardens and the fact that much of the food comes fresh from them on a daily basis. It was a little cold and rainy but it was still a really beautiful place, interesting to see grapes growing in Arizona, something new and fun for us to check out and Ben loved the fact that he could run all around and explore.

Bathtime and then of course more playtime!

Ben's ways of playing

He is such an active young man with a very vivid imagination. It doesn't even surprise me much anymore when I see the way he plays, getting on top of things, inside them or somehow creating a fort (one of his favorite things to do in the morning with blankets and pillows) but it certainly looks silly. I love seeing what he'll come up with next!

Fingerpainting

Ben and Aaron made some beautiful artwork with both fingerpaints and acrylics, a gorgeous late afternoon project for two handsome young men!

Weather

Today was in the low 80's, an absolutely perfect day to be outside. We met Lindsey and Aaron at the Desert botanical gardens and walked over to the Zoo, on the way back we found a pathway that connects the two through the Desert, a nice little 3/4 of a mile walk that we plan on doing again. The boys LOVED the splashpad today at the Zoo and we just soaked up the gorgeous day.

Easter

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We went to Sedona for Easter and got to see the family, had a great time and enjoyed every minute of being there, never get enough time with them because of everyone's busy life. Ben sure enjoyed playing with his Cousins Ryan and Elyse, he definitely thinks it's cool to have older, fun Cousins!

Desert Botanical Garden

I am wanting to spend as much time as possible outside while the weather is still gorgeous and have wanted to check out the Desert Botanical Garden for some time now. It was well worth going! Lovely flowers, herbs, plants and Cacti! There was also a butterfly exhibit where you could go in an area that was enclosed and they would land on or near you. Ben kept trying to grab them, touch them and kept saying "Butterfly!" over and over, his enthusiasm had many people, of all ages, smiling!

My sweet boy