Rock the vote!

A little difficult to explain voting to Ben, but loved taking the littles to exercise their civic duty (well maybe Mommy's) :). Ben said he wants a jack-o-lantern for president :)

Take me out to the ballgame

I can't believe I forgot to blog about this! A few weeks ago we took the boys to the one playoff game the rangers were in. Sadly, they lost, but we still had a lot of fun. Ben was beside himself excited. And just the day before Ben and I both had the tummy flu and were very thankful we were good to go. The game didn't start until 7 which is when Briggs normally goes down, but he did the best he could. Ben ate his way through 5 1/2 innings the whole time calling out for cotton candy (it never appeared). B's 'amazing' parking spot is forever away from the ballpark, but as luck would have there was a pedicab right there for us to ride. Ben told the guy to race all the other bikes :). We almost made it to 6 innings, but had to leave because a little bug was just too tired and not too happy he couldn't walk around. Three weeks later, Ben is still talking about the game. Can't wait to take him to Wrigley one day! B is excited that he's at an age that he can sit through baseball games now. Briggs- not so much!

And yesterday after B got home, we took some balls to the field and played. We were blown away by how much better Ben has gotten at baseball. We can only compare him to last year, but the boy can pitch and hit! Signing him up for spring ball!!! Briggs enjoyed looking at the birds. Funny little kid for sure!

 

A Visit from Grammy

Not many things can top getting a phone call from Grammy saying that she’s coming to visit in a couple weeks…except for the actual visit of course!  We made the mistake of telling Ben a week prior.  It was almost too much for him.  But he had fun counting down.  Grammy got here Friday night and Saturday morning when Ben woke up he went and sat in her room on the floor until she woke up.  So sweet! 

We had SO much fun doing what we do best-shopping, playing and having fun!  Ben couldn’t wait to take Grammy to Target (this kid has her wrapped around his fat little fingers for sure).  B and I were able to sneak away for a movie.  And we finally found Ben’s costume while Grammy was here.  Every other time we looked for it, it was sold out.  Now Ben won’t take it off!

 

Two little goofballs at dinner…

followed by ice cream where Briggs not only ate all of his baby cone, but most of Grammy’s and then tried to polish off Daddy’s!

I love this!

Monday Grammy joined our playgroup at the pumpkin patch.  Ben, who is normally so scared of the animals, fed them!  Yay, Ben!

it was a little tough to get a good pic of them

Briggs and his Grammy…love!

We love our Grammy!!!

my two favorite little guys!

 

Grammy left Tuesday after we dropped Ben off at school.  We even got to walk him in so she could see his classroom.  Probably not the best idea given how our family isn’t the strongest in the no crying department.  But-I had warned his teacher.  Goodbyes always stink.  And when I picked Ben up from school he was SO sad Grammy had left. 

We can’t wait to see Grammy again!  Thank you for coming Grammy!  We are beyond spoiled by you.  LOVE YOU!

 

 

 

 

Splish splash

What is it about water? It's the best 'toy' sometimes. Especially when you're 18 months old and mommy just took away her drink that you found and were playing with. A little trip out front with some cups and the hose makes it all better.

Addison and Benjamin

Once upon a time there were two babies who were born exactly two months apart while their mommies worked at the same school.

A few months later these babies went trick or treating together for the first time

And then they celebrated a pretty little girl’s first birthday!

They even went on a date together for cupcakes!

And now as three year olds they are the best of friends and worst of enemies. 

We are SOOOOOO blessed to have sweet Addison Berkley Harmon in our lives.  Not to mention her amazing momma who is one of the most generous people I know (I could write a book about what her friendship means to me)!  Ben and Addie started going to school together last year and as luck would have it they were in the same class.  Their friendship as grown and they’ve even started referring to one another as Benjamin and Addison (they must have heard their momma’s call them once or twice).  But just as their friendship has grown, they can do a 180 on each other in a split second.  And then just as we are about to split them apart to go home, they’re playing together in perfect harmony   They are both very strong willed, stubborn and hysterical.  I love that Addie doesn’t take any of Ben’s crap.  Between school, being in the same playgroup, doing MOPS (not to mention living just minutes away), we get to spend a lot of time with this precious girl.

Addie and Ben enjoying their ice cream after their first day of school this year (Ben was a little confused why he wasn’t in Addie’s class this year-but we carpool so we still have lots of Addie/Ben time)

One day Connor and Addie will get married and Ben will be Connor’s best man

Sweetness

One of my favorite Addie/Ben stories.  We were over killing time until the daddies came home from work and the kids were playing.  All of the sudden we hear the bath running upstairs.  They were in the bath together.  Then they put on pj’s (yes, Ben’s looking sweet in Addie’s kitty cat pj’s) and curled up in bed for their sleepover.  Soooo funny!

My favorite picture of these two sweeties.   We are so lucky to have miss Addie B in our lives!

The little siblings…Briggs and Emmie are already starting their friendship (they’re almost 9 months to the day apart).

The Mahrer boys love the Harmon girls

First Day, Hooray!

Maybe it’s a week overdue, but last Tuesday Ben started his first day of PRESCHOOL!  He’s still at the same school, but now he’s moved to the ‘big kid’ side and goes to Sonshine Academy (instead of Sonshine School).  And it’s a whole new ballgame!!!  During meet the teacher the parents actually had an orientation.  No more naps, must be potty trained, big kid playground, assessments and best of all…no more walking in to drop him off or pick him up.  We have a car line.  There were so many times last year I just glared at the academy parents sitting in their warm cars while it was freezing and I was trying to get Briggs inside and then get both kids out.  Woohoo!  Ben’s teacher is Mrs. Sorensen who was the only teacher we had heard anything about (everyone wanted her).  His best school buddy, Colby, is in his class, but otherwise it’s all new friends for him.  Sweet Addie is in the room next door.  He was so confused and couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t have Mrs. Wilkins again or that Addie wasn’t in his class.  And we go to the same place for MOPS twice a month now where he is in the class next door to his preschool class.  Poor kid is so confused. 

I bribed him for this picture as we were leaving Meet the Teacher. 

Ben wasn’t in the greatest mood at meet the teacher until Colby came in.  Here he is taking a tub of toys away from another kid.  Yes, I had that kid.  Proud moment indeed!

my sweet, BIG boy!

First day last year and first day this year…this made me cry.  Where did his fat little legs go???

Mrs. Sorensen had playdoh out for the kids when they walked in on the first day.  Ben got right to work.

his own cubby

the obligatory first day photo with the teacher (at this point daddy was rolling his eyes at me)

He has been so excited after school.  He can’t get the words out fast enough to tell us all he’s done.  It’s so sweet.  My favorite part-on Thursday they read Audrey Penn’s The Kissing Hand.  I read this book each year on the first day to my students and it’s so hard to get through.  I even read it to Ben last year before school.  He comes home on Thursday, tells me he has a surprise for me, grabs my hand and opens it and then kisses it (like Chester Raccoon did to his mommy in the story).  Totally burst into tears. 

We celebrated the first day of school with ice cream again with some friends.  Love this tradition!

This little guy got his very own baby cone for the first time.  He ate every bit of that ice cream including all of the cone!!!

So excited for everything Ben is going to learn this year.  And for my time with Briggs.  It was such a hard decision about whether or not to put him in Sonshine School this year.  I’m glad I kept him home with me.  I love this time with just us!!  And he’s such a good, easy little kid!

A summer of FUN

We have had one super fun summer!  I think we were always busy and on the go-the way we like it!  Since school (FINALLY) starts Tuesday, I thought we’d do a little summer recap!

A few playdates at the Safari Park

Lots of swimming

Briggs is our fish.  Ben has fallen in a few times and is pretty scared of the water now.  Swim lessons in the spring for that kid!

Love the Fairview splash park

Bubbles at Owen’s house one afternoon

A visit to the Children’s Theater

Hanging with Levi, Ben’s “brother”

fun times at Ashlyn’s pool

wearing Ashlyn’s glasses

Lots of visits to home depot this summer.  LOTS!

Trying out Camille’s ice cream place

Love Pump it Up (aka Wipeout) except only my kids would spend their time playing on the cars instead of the inflatables.

All ready to meet friends at the park for our Super Hero playdate.  So fun!

Levi’s birthday at the fire station

A visit to the Dallas Children’s museum.  I thought this thermal camera was cool.  You can see at the bottom that both my boys are ‘hot heads’!

Toddler Olympics Playdate at Grady and Camilles.  Cara went all out on this and even had medals for each kid (with a cookie inside).

Future olympic swim team???

Hanging out with our Mayson. 

Look at how big these two sweethearts are getting!  The top one was taken 2 years ago.

Lots of sticker time

Our little monkey

Splash park time at the Frisco splash park with friends

Playtime at the mall is always a hit!

I am one SUPER happy momma for school to start on Tuesday!  Woohoo!!!