He put a ring on it!

Today my little man hopped in the car after school and told me he had a surprise for me. Thursdays are treasure days at school-something Ben LOVES! Today instead of candy he chose this fancy sparkler for ME! He said it was because it's the color of his eyes. I just about melted. When we got home his teacher emailed me asking if he had given me his treasure. I replied yes and she replied that he was so sweet when he saw it. Looked at her with his big baby blues and asked if he could choose that for his mommy because she doesn't have one like that. Mrs. Sorensen also melted.

Love his huge heart!!!

Our little Beckham

While we were in Florida our neighbor let me know that Austin's soccer team needed another kid. B originally wanted to wait another year, but we went for it. Ben has been VERY timid at practices. He's such a wuss when mommy is around that I've been skipping all or most of the practices and its been a Daddy/Ben thing. It's amazing that our child, who is insanely aggressive at home, is such a weenie out there.

This morning was his first game and it was COLD! Ben had two layers under his uniform. He did better than we thought he'd do (no crying or leaving the field). He spent a lot of the time playing with Austin. Daddy got a little frustrated having to remind him to kick the ball and keep his eye on it. Mommy had to remind daddy that he's 3 and doing better than we expected :)

The boys were ADORABLE out there. One kid kicked the ball in the wrong goal and was so excited about it. And many times the ball would go out of bounds and the kids would keep kicking it. I'm very excited about the season. I finally have my dream job- soccer mom :)

Baby bro was as awesome as always. Just sat on daddy's lap and clapped for Ben. I give him a couple weeks before he runs on the field and tries to play :)

GO TITANS!!!

(And you're welcome grams for a third post in less than a week)
:)

My Funny Valentines

Look at me…two posts in one day!!!

The boys really have no idea what Valentine’s Day is, but it was still fun to celebrate.  Ben had a party at school this morning which was fun.  He came home hyped up on sugar and ornery as can be.  Early bed time for that little man!

Tuesday Ben came home with the sharing bag.  This is from the I Love book.  Made me cry.  And clearly he has inherited his momma’s mad art skills!

Signing his name on his Valentine’s!

I snuck this pic in during Grace before they ate.  He’s so sweet!

Cupcakes, cookies and juice at 9 in the morning.  I bet Mrs. Sorensen had a very fun day with those kids after that.

Being silly during the game they were playing

After they made the frames they made these little heart ornaments that Ben told the class he was going to hang in the garage.  Funny kid!

This wasn’t from today, but I LOVE the boys’ shirts my awesome friend Michelle made them!!  Way too cute.

Briggs and Mommy had a wonderful day together.  He was sooo sweet and fun.  We even got to keep Emmie for a little and Briggs really enjoyed having a baby around.  He calls her “Mamie” and was adorable trying to take care of her.  If we ever have another baby I think he will be a good big brother.

FLORIDA!!!!

A little Valentine gift for those annoying family members who can’t get enough of this blog!

I’m just a little late at this blog, but three weeks ago the boys and I took a trip home to FLORIDA!!!  It was originally going to be a family thing first last November and then got moved to January.  B ended up not being able to go so I had the privilege to fly solo with the boys.  And yes, it was as much fun as it sounds.  And Mommy might have forgotten her wallet at home and caused us to just barely make our flight.  Oops!

We were all glad to land!

 

Briggs LOVED chasing Grams and Pops’ “meows” around the house.

And they got to take a trip to the most amazing grocery store in the world!!!

Friday we went up to the Hyatt so Grams could show off her babies.  Before we left I took Ben up to the 18th floor so he could see the view.  I pointed to Disney and told him that’s where Mickey lived.  He said, “Mickey’s clummouse?” Loved it!

Afterwards we went to Gatorland Zoo which was surprisingly not nearly as white trashy as I remembered.  All Ben wanted to do was feed the damn gators. 

Ben now thinks that gators only eat hotdogs.

This made me laugh

 

Grams is a sucker and bought all the pricy pictures.  We haven’t another one with a snake around her neck, but Ben flat out refused to be in that pic.  Briggs enjoyed poking this little gator as I held it.

Saturday we went to Sea World.  Our sweet friends, the Swillies, just moved from Frisco to Jacksonville and they drove down to meet us there.  Ben was SUPER excited to see Connor (they went to school together).

Ben started the day in one serious mood.  Not a happy mommy!

But it changed once he saw Connor!

This roller coaster wasn’t working, but the boys LOVED watching the empty cars go down while Megan and I enjoyed the roller coasters that did work!

And I got my little guy on his first roller coaster (by bribing him of course).  I LOVE his face.  He loved it!!!

 

We fed stingrays and dolphins (both of which Ben was totally freaked out by)

The Shamu show was so much better when they could swim with the whales.

We even fed the sharks!

And this is what it looked like when we had to leave.  It was a very pleasant walk out of the park and back to the car!

That evening Brandy and her girls came over for dinner.  It was fun to watch the kids play together.  We were SUPER close growing up.  And Briggs and Madison are exactly one year apart.  Abi is 10 months older than Ben.

The next day we drove to Grammy and Pal’s house in Venice where we enjoyed another couple days of doing nothing, but relaxing and playing!!!

B loved this picture!  Briggs was very interested in what Grams was doing to her nails!

Monday we went to Venice Beach so Briggs could put his toes in the water for the first time.  The kid LOVED it.  Tried to go right in and even tried drinking the water.  The boys had so much fun we decided to go the next day and wear suits.

Briggs was SOAKED from playing in the water!

Even the little chicken managed to play in the water a little!

One of the highlights of the trip for me was getting to sleep next to this guy every night.  Except he snores like an old man.  It’s AWFUL!!!  I tried ear plugs, but they bugged me so I put the kid in the closet once he fell asleep.  Mom of the year!

Tuesday we drove up to my favorite beach, Siesta Key.  It’s also B’s favorite.  We were prepared this time with bathing suits!

Briggs has NO fear of the water.  I spent most of the time trying to catch him before he went in too far.  A wave would knock him over and he’d just get up and go again.  Thankful that swim lessons have now been scheduled and prepaid!!  He is ready!!!

Someone got a little tired

For some reason I am missing a bunch of pictures?  Hmmm?  Wednesday we packed up to leave, but stopped for some shopping and lunch first.

Can you guess who was trying not to cry here???

The boys loved these statues that lined the street.

We had such a nice time in Venice.  Just relaxing and fun.  Ben calls it Grammy’s “white house” (as opposed to the “blue house” in Wisconsin). 

Despite what the pictures show, we did see Pops.  He had to work a lot while we were there.  I’m missing some of the cute pics we took of the boys with him.  They must be on the ipad???

We stayed another night at Grams and Pops’ before flying back.  It was just the nicest, most relaxing trip (with the exception of someone’s snoring).  And I LOVED having Grams off of work the whole time!!!  I can’t wait to go back in November with B and this time take the boys to Mickey’s clummouse!!!