Safari Nation

Today was a really fun day for us. After school we dropped by the library to return and select some books. And to our surprise Benjamin's best friend from school was there! We have been talking about a play date for the boys for a while now but haven't done it so we were thrilled to be there together. Mitch (Bug's best friend) was there with his caregiver and eventually his grandmother(Nana)joined us. Mitch's Nana read lots of books to the boys and even snuck in some cookies for them to enjoy.

Benjamin and I were going to head to a new bounce place called Safari Nation after the library and happily Mitch didn't have any other plans so we all caravaned over and checked it out as it was all our first time going. The boys played and played and played. It was so nice to see them together outside of school where they could romp and do their own thing. And the adults got to talk and get to know one another which was really nice.

Benjamin had his first slushie at the snack bar. Obviously since this was a first (and he is almost 4 years old) this is not something we usually would do but Mitch was enjoying one and it seemed terrible to tell Benjamin no. He liked it but didn't finish it very fast. It took him about an hour to finish the small cup of it. I think it was too cold and sweet for him.

And he also had another first. He rode the zip line. He is technically too short to ride it but the guy running it made an exception for him. He rode it 2 dozen times before he fell and got hurt. He fell into the space between the mat and the wall and he cried and cried and said he was never going on it again. Thirty seconds later he was back up there. He was a trooper to get over the fear that quickly and keep having fun with it. It was a fun day overall and a really nice time spent with good friends.

Tonight

Benjamin called toe jam "sock jelly."


Henry (while browsing Netflix--a rarity in our house since we only watch kid shows): "Why am I browsing through the kid stuff?"

Benjamin: "Some people like kid stuff."

So

A few nights ago Benjamin sounded out and read his first word. It was the word "so" from the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." We are excited to see him begin to read more and watch a whole new world open up to him!

Out of Sight, In mind

Benjamin noticed roadkill on the way home from school yesterday. It's not the first time, but it sparked quite a conversation. As we pulled into the driveway, our discussion had turned to autumn and the way the leaves were starting to turn color. He pointed at a cluster of dead leaves high up in the biggest tree in our front yard.
"But those didn't fall, they're just already dead," he said.
"They are," I told him, and explained that those leaves were on a broken branch. Without being connected to the rest of the tree, they died.
"Because they can't get the sap?" he asked.
"Yes," I said. "It's like that branch can't eat or drink anymore. If something stops eating and drinking for too long, it might die."
Without a pause, he asked, "Then why did Halmuni die?"
I was stunned that she was in his thoughts so spontaneously and in such direct relation to our discussion. We've done our best to explain what happened to Nisha's mom without making the world seem completely awful, but it's hard to tell exactly what he understands and what he remembers.
I did my best to explain that she had a sickness that was sort of like being unable to eat or drink, that parts of her were like the broken branch in the tree. Again, doing my best to not make the world seem too awful or scary.
Bug launched into one of his mile-a-minute monologues. It was about medicine and boo boos, and how to fix things. It was so fast and jumbled that I caught very little of it except when he slowed down at the end. "Maybe I could tell that to the doctors," he said. "And maybe to you too. Maybe that might help."
"Maybe that would," I told him. "Thanks, Bug."
I hate that he's in a situation where he has to try and wrap his brilliant little brain around death, especially in such a personal way. But at the same time it's amazing and reassuring that, more than a year after her death, Halmuni is still in his thoughts, and he still loves her and wants to make her boo boos better, just like she always did for him.

First Day in His Classroom!

Today was Benjamin's first visit to his own classroom at the Greensboro Montessori School. We accompanied him today and had a blast watching him explore all the cool things in his classroom and meeting his new teachers. Tomorrow he goes to school all by himself! Our baby is growing up!

And for dinner tonight, spaghetti with basil that Benjamin threw into the pot of sauce and limeade with a sprig of mint, both herbs from his school garden!

Benjamin Talking About Lots of Stuff

Halmuni.

Yesterday I told Benjamin I missed Halmuni and he asked what happened to her. I told him she went to heaven. He asked why and I said that she got sick, really sick. He asked why she didn't wash her hands enough (to avoid getting sick) and I tried to explain that it wasn't a sickness that you can get from germs on your hands. He misses her so much it is painful to see. The other day he was upset with me and Henry and ran from our bed (where we were all playing) and ran down the hall to Halmuni's room. He stopped in front of her door that has been shut for months now, her room full of things that we need to go through. I went to go get him and I almost lost it. He looked so completely sad and lost, wanting so much to rush through that door into the comfort of her arms. Like he used to do. Momma, I know you are watching over your favorite boy. But our hearts ache without you here with us. We miss seeing you, hugging you, hearing you. And Benjamin misses you like crazy. I don't want him to forget all the things he knows now about you. I pray he won't forget.

Babies

On our way driving home from Florida today:

Benjamin (talking about games on the ipad): Who is going to play with me?
Me (Mommy): You usually just play them by yourself.
Benjamin: I want a brother or sister to play with.
Me: Mommy wants that too. So does Daddy.
Benjamin: How do I get one?
Me: We have to make one.
Benjamin: But I'm a kid, I don't know how to make babies.
Me: That's okay, me and your dad will figure that part out.
Benjamin: Can I help?
Me: No, I think we have it covered.

Tonight

We are in Florida visiting Poppy and lots of relatives! Tonight Benjamin played his first official game of Black Jack with his own money with Poppy and his cousin, Hannah. He did very well and has the hand signals down pat! Tonight Poppy also told him about his life in the military and Benjamin was enthralled. Especially about the "blowing stuff up" parts. He listened intently and also had lots of questions. I am glad he got to hear it from Poppy firsthand as I can never remember all the places he has been because it is a lot!

Today was also Uncle Gene's birthday so we had dinner with the family here at the house and had cake and ice cream as well. Uncle Gene opened cards and gifts and it was a great night!

Benjamin just fell asleep to me reading "If I Ran the Zoo" by Dr. Zeus. This is his favorite book these days and is extremely loooooong! But he loves it! And for that we don't mind reading it forty million and one times :)

'night night!

Thank You

Benjamin was eating dinner tonight and he turns to me and says, "Thank you for teaching me." I love this child. No, thank YOU for the privilege of being your momma. Love, love, love.

Three and a Half!

Today we officially have a three and a half year old! Happy half-year birthday, Benjamin! We were going to celebrate with cupcakes but ended up staying home today (Momma was in the ER last night due to dehydration so wanted to avoid the heat) but we plan on celebrating in a few days with a proper song and treat! We love you, Benjamin! You are the cutest and we are the luckiest!

P.S. Henry is now teaching Benjamin about black holes. He is wide-eyed, listening. You learn lots of new stuff now that you're three and a half!

Grape Monster

After lights out tonight we were laying in bed, Daddy was already asleep, and Benjamin leans over to me and says he had a secret. He said a bunch of silly words and sounds in a hushed tone. We each did a round or two of that and then we started doing silly secrets with real words and sentences. One of Benjamin's was, "Don't go too close to a grape-eating monster because it could think your toes are grapes and eat your toes off!" Good advice!

Private Part Powers

Benjamin's all into superpowers. He'll chase after me (this is Henry), yelling, "Ice Power! You frozen! Water power! Wind power! Poopy power!" And so on. Even throw-up power sometimes. If it's a word he knows at all, eventually it will be utilized in his struggle against, well, me. And sometimes monsters. I try not to take it personally.

This afternoon, Benjamin and I returned from the park and let Loggy outside to relieve himself. Benjamin watched Loggy lift his leg and pee on a bush.

"Loggy pee-pees from there and he poo-poos from there," said Benjamin, pointing to his own pee and poo areas. "Him got a penis and a butt."

Me: "Yes, he does."

Benjamin: "You got a penis and a butt, too, Daddy."

Me: "Yes I do. You, me, and Loggy all have those two parts."

Benjamin: "Mommy don't have a penis."

Me: "That's right," I said. "Mommy has a vagina."

Benjamin proceeded to take off running across the yard, arms outstretched, yelling, "Vagina Power!"

And the monsters in our front yard quaked with fear.

Ketchup

Today Benjamin ate ketchup for the first time. He was eating fries and normally when I suggest dipping them in ketchup he says "yuck!" or just shakes his head no. But today when I brought up the idea of ketchup he didn't reel back in disgust. He actually pondered it and then dipped a fry in the ketchup container, not even with an ounce of hesitation. He took a bite and said, "Mmm...yummy!" I am so happy because I am a real ketchup fan and wanted my son to know the joys of this versatile condiment. I told him I am a Ketchup Girl and he said he is a Ketchup Boy. Love my Ketchup Boy!

Looney Toons

I just put on a collection of Looney Toons for Benjamin from Net Flix. It is his first time ever watching it. Well, after two minutes I had to turn it off. Too violent. How did we grow up on that? Hitting and mean talking every other scene. Not cool.

A Boy and His Dog

Lucky Momma

Yesterday I came home to find this beautiful bouquet of flowers from our yard that Benjamin had picked for me. The first bouquet of the Spring. Lovely!

Biology

Last night Henry and I were again struggling to get Benjamin to brush his teeth so we decided to look up cavity pics online to show him Tooth Bugs really do exist. He was very interested in the gnarly teeth (I may have actually googled "meth mouth") and wanted to keep looking at picture after picture. After a few minutes he says, "Let's look up ear wax." He has his momma's curiosity for potentially unsavory medical information. He can spend hours reading Henry's old college biology book (see pics). He really is fascinated by all the processes that happen in the body and actually GETS it, more than his mommy does, I think. Kids are natural scientists and it is so cool to see him love learning.

Parmesan

Benjamin decided to try parmesan cheese tonight. We did not tell him that we have been putting parmesan in his spaghetti forever. He has always been anti-cheese (except for pizza) so we snuck it in for the protein. We were surprised when he asked to taste it when he saw Henry put it on his own noodles tonight. Turns out he loves it. He asked for a bowl of it and spooned in the dry powder until I thought he might choke from the dryness. Then he asked for plain noodles with just the cheese sprinkled on it and he ate that up quickly. This is after eating his spaghetti sauced noodles less than an hour earlier. He has been eating heartily today so maybe he is headed for a growth spurt?

He is also way into old school Atari. He and Henry are playing it now. More on that later.

Happy Birthday, Halmuni!

We love and miss you.

Leafy, Branchy, or Tree

We adopted a dog from the shelter and picked him up late this afternoon. He is a miniature poodle, 5 years old, and very docile. When I asked Benjamin what we should name him he looked at the red leash from the shelter and said, "Well, his leash is red and he is...what color is that, Mommy?" "Grey." "Grey. (A few minutes later in the car) Or we could call him Leafy, Branchy, or Tree."

This baby is some kind of sweet. By the time we pulled into the driveway with our new dog it was dark and I told Benjamin that since we have to keep Wiggy and the new dog apart for a week (the new dog has kennel cough which is contagious to other dogs) he and I would go in first, get cleaned up a bit, and I would get his dinner plated for him and then I would go back out and get the dog. He said, "Mommy, take him in first. He'll be scared if we leave him here by himself. It's dark. I can stay here and you take him first." Seriously. Most thoughtful baby ever.

Tornado

There was a tornado on "Rupert" today and Benjamin says, "What is that--a tongue twister?"

Tapirs

A few minutes ago, while watching "Agaygo" (Diego): "Why are they called tapirs? They got tape? They tape stuff?" -Benjamin

What a Day!

Tuesday was a whirlwind! Benjamin had his first day of his first semester of Kindermusik this morning. He did the trial class last week and LOVED it! And then we stopped to visit Halmuni for a bit after picking up some Chick-Fil-A. Then it was off to Raleigh to meet Daddy at the NC Museum of Art to see the Norman Rockwell exhibit before it leaves at the end of the month. He was exquisitely good at the Museum and used an appropriate whispery voice the whole time. We weren't sure how long it would hold his interest but after an hour and a half of looking around he was still engaged in the exhibits so next time we will plan to stay longer. Then we drove to Burlington to have dinner with Grandmommy, Granddaddy, and Aunt Nette. Chicken and dumplings! Mmmm.... Then he and I drove home and he is sound asleep as I write this. The Bug is wo' out!

Dadik

"Dadik!" -Benjamin Bug's interpretation of Momma's naughty words that occasionally slip through the Good Momma filter.

Musical

Wednesday night, as Benjamin and I were reading one of his books, he discovered more about the world of music. The book had some bars of music printed on it and in 15 minutes he learned about treble and bass clefs (where they are on the piano, above and below Middle C and their high and low tones), quarter, half, and whole notes (clapping them out), rests, and the notes in music, A through G. And the most fun thing he learned was "piano" and "forte." He says *quietly* "piano" and *loudly* "forte!" What a musical little Bug!

Rhyme Machine

Last night Benjamin said he wanted to be a Rhyme Machine.

Benjamin: "What rhymes with 'spatula'"
Henry: "Uh...mmm...uhh...'batchula?'"

Stumped by a three year old.

Lesson

Yesterday Benjamin learned how to pick the lock on our bathroom door. Like a professional. Mothers must teach their kids these kinds of essential life skills. You never know when you'll need it!

Appetite

The boy who survives on air and milkshake (kefir) has actually been eating for the last 3 days. And eating a lot! It is crazy how much HEAVIER he is now that he is eating. Like a lead baby. Yesterday he had most of a blueberry waffle, a quarter of a medium apple, a good-sized portion of rice and bulgogi-style ground turkey, an entire can of chicken noodle soup (minus the chicken, but all of the broth), some fruit melts, and the inside of a ginger lemon creme cookie. If this doesn't sound like a huge amount of food for a 3-year old, you are right. But for Benjamin it is more food than he usually would eat in a week. He must be hitting a growth spurt. It is early morning as I am writing this post so fingers crossed that this trend will continue today.

Last night he crawled up into my lap as I sat in front of the computer and he clicked an ad for Farmville on Facebook. I have never played it so it wasn't installed but he went through and clicked his way through to download it. He said, "It's loading," as the progress bar moved along. At some point I tried to help him and he said, "I've got it, Momma. Step asiiiide." Henry and I are not letting him play computer games as we feel it does things to little growing brains so he was really disappointed when the computer got tired and had to go to sleep for the night just a few minutes later.

Then he got out some kitchen utensils-a garlic press with removable basket, a whisk, a rolling pin, and a melon ball scooper. We played Animal Mechanicals with our tools and went on some awesome adventures! For the last few weeks playing Pretend has been his most favorite thing to do. His favorite show these days is Animal Mechanicals and he is Mouse, Daddy is Sasquatch, and I am Unicorn. And all of us fill in for the other two characters, Rex and Komodo. Benjamin is like his dad in that he can memorize every detail of his favorite t.v. shows. To the smallest details. So it is amazing to listen to him recreate the episodes, with his own twists and turns thrown in as well. He also loves to play with his Buzz Lightyear and Woody dolls from Toy Story. Henry was out last night and we were walking down the hall on the way to bed. Benjamin was holding all the kitchen utensils (I had the rolling pin) to take to bed with us. "I wish Sasquatch was here to help." He literally never tires of playing Pretend. And we never tire of watching our amazing little boy.