Ben's 1st Day of Preschool

My firstborn went off to preschool today. I didn't cry! That would be because I got all my tears out last night.

He loved it and talked about it all night long. They went on a bear hunt, made crafts, sang songs, read books, and took a nap. He was even excited about the nap.

On the way to school, Ben told me he was nervous because he didn't know any of the kids. We talked about it. How the other kids would be new too, but he would have a buddy before he knew it. Chad & I dropped him off, and he basically didn't care that we were leaving. That's a good thing, but ouch. The teacher said he had a great first day. He was happy, talkative, Benjamin. He even said he made a "girl friend". Stay away from my son.

The day I looked forward to and yet feared, has come and gone. He took his Avengers lunch box, Skippy John Jones backpack, blanket for nap time and off he went. Letting go of my hand.

Love you, baby. Please stop growing so quickly.

Fantabulous Weekend...Check

Daddy and the boys at Silver Beach

Oh, the beauty of St. Joe Beach...Ben chasing the gulls

What is all this stuff?

My beach bums

Mamaw and Papaw playing with the boys

Happy birthday, Papaw! Ben decorated the cake, thus 1,000,000 sprinkles

Henry didn't mind the sprinkles

My middle baby, looking out the window with his new dinosaur

Grandpa acting goofy, and getting some belly laughs

Children's museum

Beach town

Superman ice cream

Upstairs view

Karate chopping the water

Ha! He asked for that one.

Ben sitting on the water spout

We had a fantastic, dreamy weekend. Saturday we took a short ride to the beach in the afternoon so B & H could soak up some sun before the weather turns. We visited the children's museum first, where B was so excited by the fun on the 1st floor, that we didn't even make it upstairs. The kids painted faces, picked apples, and played vet with some rough looking stuffed animals. We then went to the ice cream shop, which is a must and then headed to the water. The boys loved it, and I loved to hear their giggles. Max stayed home with Busia and Donna - God bless them. :)

In the evening we left all the boys with Busia and Donna and went to see my sister-in-law, Emily, in her debut Variety Show. It was so much fun and she did a great job. It reminded me how much I love the stage. I'd like to go see more sometime. I still want to see Wicked and would love to see the Lion King. When we were in NY a few years ago, we saw God of Carnage and I've been hooked ever since. Chad has a deeper appreciation than I do, and it sure would be nice to see another show soon.

On Sunday we celebrated Papaws birthday with some cake and grilling out. Oh my, were the boys happy to see them. Ben decorated the cake and was quite proud of his work. He practically dumped all the sprinkles in a 1 inch radius, but it was perfect.

If I can figure out how to upload a video I took tonight, you will love it. Ben was reading I Love You Through and Through to Henry tonight. It was adorable to see them laying on the floor together, reading a book. In between all the pushing, yelling, crying, and stealing toys, they really do get along well and love each other. Ben is such an independent child and loves to play by himself. However he is really coming around to wanting his little Henry by his side.

Swiiiiiiing!

Need to attach slide, then all done!

New fav pic

The weather today sure made up for the wickedness of the storms yesterday. Somewhere in the 80's with a fantastic breeze. Chad and Dave worked a few more hours this morning adding the sandbox and the boys spent a couple of hours playing their hearts out. I even played on it - now that's sturdy.

I've been staying up way too late to watch the Olympics. I don't put it on - Chad does. But then I can't walk away. Especially when it's water sports. I love the diving. I hate water. Go figure. At any rate, go USA.

Outside fun before the trees came down

We told them there was a squirrel who lived in this tree.

I could not love this face more.

Whoop, there he goes.

He totally rolled this trike about 5 seconds after this shot.

Wicked weather tonight folks. Thankful for the rain, as always. But the woods on our property took a hit. There were about 5 very large trees who lost limbs. Luckily nothing come towards the house, but it's still creepy. We just had several larger ones cut down which were just too close to the house. Good choice.

Ben: "Mommy, please lay with me. I need some company."

Ben: "Mommy, if you lay with me, I promise not to give you a wet willy, snot face, or poop on you."

How can I argue with that?

Henry, how do you eat that much food? I can't even eat that much food. Also, please chew before you swallow. It freaks me out that you believe your teeth to be useless.

Henry, your diaper is not an option. Although we enjoy seeing your naked booty while you are lost in sleep, we don't enjoy changing your sheets nightly because you pee on them.

To my Max: I love watching you watch your brothers. They make you smile, even now. Remember that years down the  road when they steal your toys, punch you, and blame you for breaking something they clearly broke.