Fun Day at the Museum

Today we trekked out to the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge with some playgroup buddies. The kids had an absolute ball, and I am reassured that the yearly membership I bought was well worth the money! I wanted to give Maddie a little blog time- and she did not disappoint for the camera! She had so much fun. Ben did as well, especially playing with his buddie Joseph. The favorite room at the museum is the "Rocket Room". It is really the simple things in life my children love best- I hope this always remains true. Hey, I can hope! They also enjoyed dressing up in "Granny's Attic". We finished the day with a picnic and play on the playground. Ben took a tumble and thwacked his head on the edge of the sidewalk (ouch). But, we all survived and had lots of fun!

Ben, will you do the dishes?

With hot weather in full swing, I am looking for creative ways to keep Ben and Maddie busy, but cool. This was an activity that suited Ben better. (I promise I do really fun things with Maddie- just not dangerous things- she is only one!) Maddie had a virus this week and spent a little more time than usual resting. She is much better and back to her cat-napping schedule. I am exhausted, but still feel the need to get this posting up. Well, I digress! I asked Ben to "do the dishes" and he gladly helped. Even though he was more interested in washing himself, he still had lots of fun!

Window Dressing

This is an idea I got from Family Fun magazine- which I DEARLY love. It is just tempra paint and clear liquid soap. Ben did enjoy it- although, he didn't let his artistic wings fly. I think I will let him try it again with a buddy perhaps. Of course, he wanted to paint the wood, but with some coaxing he stopped. Besides, it washes right off. I figure 20 years from now, seeing a little paint on my window sash will be endearing.

Home Sweet Home- Sweet!

Ok, this entry has nothing whatsoever to do with my family, but we have been working pretty hard on re-decorating some rooms in our house. Here is the office and the dining room. We had to add 9 in. of drywall and a french door to make the office- it is directly to the right as you come in the front door. The dining room still has a little work to be done, like white slipcovers for the chairs, and a new light fixture which is en route.

Tomato Heaven

ok, Today I realized the extent to which my son loves his tomato plant. First, when I went to pick him up from the pool (HUGE thank you to Jessica!! ) And, what I thought would be a huge battle turned out to be surprisingly easy: when I told him about seeing two green tomatoes on his plant, his eyes got as big as saucers, and he really wanted to go home. Second, when it was time to take a nap, he went right down as long as his baby tomato could come with him.

Also, note to self, I feel there is a spiritual object lesson here I know i will want to use later. He really wanted to pick his tomato. After begging him not to, curiosity got the best of him- and since it is HIS plant, I didn't fuss too much. But, when he told me that it would grow and grow and turn red- i had to explain that once the fruit was off the vine, it could not grow any more!

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he
will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.John
15:4-6

One Enchanted Evening

Tonight was a fun outing to Harmony Adoption Agency's Annual celebration. It was held at the zoo, as you can see...and it was a costume party of sorts! Look closely and you can see that we were the three little pigs. Todd was the big bad wolf- thus the Huff Puff logo on his shirt. It was fun, and a great way to meet and get to know other adoptive parents. There were 300 in attendance!! I thought the photo of Maddie and I was especially sweet. Do you think Ben's hair could get any whiter??? We had a fun night, and it was made even more special by my visiting niece, Samantha and her beau, Corey G. Ben is one of Corey's biggest fans. Lastly is a shot of Corey and Ben on the trampoline. Ben is very happy when Corey G comes to visit!!

Curacao

We recently had the great pleasure of traveling to an tropical paradise known as Curacao. It was a great time had by all and a great way to celebrate the big speed bump of life known as graduation. Good luck Sam and Cory G. What a beautiful place! We had fun and luckily were all able to go with passports in hand. The last one came at 6 pm the night before departure! whew!

First Love

Ok, it's official, my boy is in love. It is with his sunflower and tomato plants though! Every morning, it is the first thing he wants to see, and every visitor that comes to the house, must meet them. I wouldn't go so far to say he is obsessed, but it's borderline. In the third pot is what we call our mystery seeds. They literally are a mystery, because we found them on a table, poolside in Curacao on vacation. We smuggled them home, past the drug sniffing dogs, and we gave them to Ben as a surprise present from our travels! No kidding- he loved them much more than the stuffed dolphin which is incidently named Mantee. So, a love for gardening has been born.

Fun Father's Day

So far, father's day has been all in all a good day. Ben woke up daddy today with a father's day surprise- a dinosaur. Many thanks to DeeDee for helping with this creation! Maddie got in on the action by helping create a custom t-shirt for Dad. Daddy had a nice breakfast in bed followed by a convenient meal of Olive Garden Take out! Even though I would never really choose to eat AT this restaurant, the takeout is quite speedy, and seeing that we keep the menu in the car- on the way home from church a cell phone call and a run in is aweful convenient. Those marketing people must just see Sucker written across our foreheads when they concocted this scheme- but hey, it works for us. Right now at least.

We continued the day and Ben "fell apart" because he wanted to play with his friends- our neighbors, Spencer and Ryan. They are older that Ben (7 & 10) and Ben LOVES to "play" with them. His nap was circumvented by visions of playing withe them instead of napping- which was a double whammy, because they had left for Dollywood before we started the two hour nap battle royale.

So, here we stand. It is 3:00 in the afternoon, our three year old has fought the nap, and we are in for some fun times. No one could have ever explained this to me before kids- just how a few hours (napping) can change your life. Our boy has a strong will- just for the record, but he has a sweet side too- just look at these photos.









Is Maddie becoming the cutest thing- and for the record, Mom, she is wearing a BOW!!!

















Ok, because I know I will forget "these small hours, these little wonders" as Rob Thomas says, I thought I would record some things Ben said today.

"Poopie is a fine word"

Mom: "Ben, what do you love most about Daddy?"
Ben: "How he catches with me"

During communion at church this morning, he said, "Can I have some breakfast too?"

Upon escaping from "the napping room" today- Mom-"Ben get back in bed" Ben: "But I'm happy now!"

And now to my dear Maddie, you aren't saying much at your small age (13 mo) but you love to babble, and you understand much! Whe I say "How big are you?" you throw your hands up in the air and smile very big! You also know how to make lots of noise if you want something! You really like to drink from our glasses. Sippy cups are not your favorite, and you only take a bottle at night, so, maybe you are way ahead of your time! I love you!


So, there you have it, from the mouths of babes

Happy Father's Day!

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

In the Good Ole Summertime

So, I think summer is actually going to come to our home. After a dreadful cold snap in May, we have been making up for lost hot weather in the past few days. I recently ordered this "Lil' squirt pool" from One Step Ahead (kids catalog) and I just love it. With Daddy out of town this week, I am trying to stay ultra busy with the kids. I must be honest and say our Tivo'd Curious George episodes get a workout at night (hence, this blog entry) but overall, we have been playing lots. And a big shout out to my neighbor and friend Abigail for helping with the kids this morning, as I got to go to my last session of BSF for the year. It is called sharing day, and it was just great so many thanks to friends that help me raise my kids! Aside from stressing over my passport's no show, and possibly sidelining a stellar, trip of a lifetime (to Curacao) I am having a good week. I am trying to stay positive- so come on passport!

We are lucky Ben stayed dressed for these photos. He discovered how much fun it is to go naked. He wanted to eat in the buff, and I had to bring it to halt on our evening walk, but all in all, we relinquished all nudists to the backyard. Ben is in love with his sunflower that he is growing, and it is the first thing we check in the morning- it is his pride and joy. Tonight as we were playing in the backyard, I was on the phone with Todd, and Ben was just talking away- I said who are you talking to, and he said, "God" matter of factly. He also enjoyed playing "Restaurant" at dinner hour, and I played the waitress. He was quite a gentleman.
Maddie is really babbling these days, and she took two steps today. Ok, they were kind of wobbles, and then a quick sit-down-boom. But, she is on her way. She also loves Ben's piano and microphone, which just got revived. She is showing a great affinity to the microphone; so, look out American Idol!
Not to worry, I am not making martinis for my children, but I thought this was pretty funny. I made pink lemonade slushies for Ben and Maddie, and as I was looking for a fun glass, all I could find was some plastic martini glasses I had bought for a party over two years ago- no, I am not making this up!! It was a fun time.

Which Way to the Beach??

So- the proverbial trip to the beach just took place, and it was really a trip. Literally.
I was able to spend a decedant two weeks at the beach, and although that sounds good, the only thing that was redeeming was that as bad as it could get the first week, I knew things had to get better the second week. No offense to the wonderful team of mommies I had the first week! I had my two beautiful aunties join me and my mom on the first week, and then Dad and the husband joined us for the second week. It seemed like such a good idea- and my heart breaks for my aunts who only had one week; for, it was spent with a tropical storm, three people (including two babies) experiencing a terrible stomach virus and me, the mommy enduring a sinus infection that landed me in the infirmary, and finally one auntie that experienced a harrowing bike ride and wreck! Nothing like a few rainclouds to help you appreciate the sunshine! The first week we really had only one venture to the beach, but these shots come from our first taste of the Atlantic. It was so cold, I left Maddie in her pajamas! What a beach bunny! I was really lamo about carrying the BIG camera around, and found that my photos were severely lacking! I hope Dee Dee can come thru with some memorable shots. Highlights of the second week included bike rides, and lots of yummy fried fish. I know, that is so 1985, but I do love me some fried shrimp. The Salty Dog was our favorite outing, and the condo provided us with some fun "nights in". We ate ourselves into oblivion some nights. Bluebell Ice Cream is such a treat. There is a reason I try not to keep that in my fridge at home. Will someone tell me when I can expect my children to sleep while on vacation? Out of 14 nights away, want to know how many nights my children slept the whole night through?? Nada, nil, zilch- that's right NEVER. Then upon our first full night home they were happy little sleepers - all night- Thank the Good Lord! They love their own bed almost as much as their mommy!

Well, we are truly blessed to be able to travel and enjoy life- so here's to great memories!

Ben and Daddy

Tonight, I snuck this picture because I thought it was priceless. Ben was watching one of his first full length Disney movies- Pooh's Big Adventure. He was mesmerized. As you can see, Daddy was too! Daddy is awesome and can often be found hanging with both kids pretty much all the time! (9 times out of 10 he is awake Too! )

Maddie is ONE!

Ok- It is hard to believe that Maddie is already one year old! Time flies- even when it is blurry. It seems like just yesterday we were driving home from Chattanooga - on Ben's first real family field trip, March 3, 2006, when we got the call that we had been chosen to be Maddie's parents. I can remember it clearly. Driving in the car, with sun streaming through. So many thoughts go through your head when you find a new baby is on the way. Could I do it? Could I be ready? Is it going to change Ben's perfect world? (duh-huh) She is such a sweet baby- and now little girl. Well,we had a little shindig for her, complete with cupcakes and balloons. Many thanks to our family and friends who came - we thank you!

Picasa Rocks

This is my first try at Picasa- it is incredible. I just downloaded the program for free, and bam, all my photos were catalogued and organized and easy to view. There is this cool collage option that allows you to collage (three different layouts- this is grid) This is a folder of photos from a trip to Aruba we took in Oct 05. What a blast. This helps relive it! I feel warmer already.

Maddie on the Move