Conversations with the Kids

The kids have been saying some funny and sweet things lately. if I don't write them down now, I am likely to forget! 

Kaylynn on the way to school last week: 
K: "Mommy, God is in our bellies." 
Me: Well, actually, He is in our hearts. 
K: How does He get there? Through our mouths?

I must be doing something right, because Kaylynn crawled in bed with me on morning and said:
"Mommy, even when you are mad at me, I still love you.  And even when Kaylynn is mad at Mommy, I still love you."  (and use, she did use multiple "persons".  I think she is growing out of talking in 3rd person, which I am going to miss!)

As I am in the living room, I hear Kaylynn say to Ben: "It's ok, Ben.  Just get on my back." That cannot lead anywhere good...

After dropping Kaylynn off at school, Ben and I were headed to our weekly recycling center trip.  He had some news to tell me:
B: Alligators eat meat.
Me: They do?  What kind?
Ben: Brown meat.  And white meat.
Me: Do they eat vegetables?
Ben: Nope.  Eat meat.
Me: Do they eat chicken and hamburger?
Ben: Nope.  Eat meat.  

Back at the beginning of October, my mom and I took the kids to a community pep rally at the high school to see a family friend's daughter cheer.  The principal challenged each class to do a spirit skit that exemplified school spirit, pride, etc.  Ben (who had taken his shoes off already to dance better) started doing the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Hot Dog" dance, while the others were doing their thing.  One class had some rappers and while they were rapping, one kid was break dancing.  Ben was watching intently.  A little later I looked over and saw him with his head on the ground/rolling on the gym floor - HE WAS TRYING TO BREAK DANCE!!  It was one of the funniest things I have seen!!

Kids say/do the darnedest things.  :)

Ben is 2!

Big Ben, how in the world are you a 2 year old?  It seems impossible to us that you are that old already, but to every stranger that sees you, you are much older.  In fact, the most common question I get from strangers is asking if you and Kaylynn are twins.  Then I get a shocked look when I explain that you are 2 years younger.  You are so tall.  So tall.  You are as big as Kaylynn was when she was 3 - height and weight.  In 1 year, you went from a size 5 shoe to a size 9.  I really think that your fast growth is what slowed you down in the walking department, being almost 17-18 months when you started walking - it hasn't been a whole year yet.  You are still a bit wobbly at some things, like stairs.  

We always thought that with your talkative sister, you wouldn't be able to get a word in, but you have proved us wrong.  Your vocabulary is expanding by leaps and bounds each day.  It is funny to me how all parents can understand their own kids gibberish, but not that of others, as I find myself translating for you, but to your dad and I, you sound as clear as day.  I can't even begin to write down little words or phrases that you are saying, because if we say it, you say it.  My absolute favorite of late is "oh, sure."  Like, "Ben, can you go throw away this stinky diaper?"  With enthusiasm, you say, "Oh, sure!"  

As of favorites - books and puzzles.  I am fairly certain your sister was just like this, too.  All you want is someone to play puzzles with you - "pay puzzles wif me."  It's sweet and sad at the same time.  When there are tons of kids around, all you want to do is be somewhere quiet, preferably with mama or daddy playing or reading.  You are also a huge fan of firetrucks and hippos.  You'd go to the zoo everyday if you could.  We have been 2 times this fall and you always remind me (shaking your head "no") "see any hippos" - meaning you didn't see any hippos.  We will find them one day, buddy.  One day.

With Kaylynn nearing 4, and her 4 year old attitude rising, she has said some not-nice things to her dear ole' mom.  But sweet boy, you always tell me, "you no mean mama."  But you, too, try to push you limits, but respond pretty well to the 1,2,3 bit.  You also have started sticking up for yourself to Kaylynn a bit.  I don't like the hitting, but do like to see that you aren't going to be walked all over.  

To sum up, Ben, you are quite possibly the best little boy for us!  We love everything about you - from your wild and crazy hair (LOVE!), your lip smacking kisses (literally, you smack your lips after you touch our cheek - cute!), your squeezes, snuggles, belly laughs, your "I sowwe, Kayin's", your "I wuv you, toos", you giant feet, big blue eyes, your praying hands (so, so, so precious), your "amens", your song singing, EVERYTHING!  

I can't wait to see who you are going to become (just don't be in a hurry, ok?)  I pray that you will continue to thrive, love to read, be lovable, respectful, love Jesus, and grow to be a strong, sensitive man.  Don't let anyone tell you that you are just a mama's boy - you are so much more!  We both love you to pieces!

Love,

Mama.  

Flyover State Tour

When you work for yourself/father-in-law, you don't get too many opportunities to travel for work.  When the random chance to head to Wisconsin came up, we jumped at it and extended it to Cleveland to make it a little family vacation.

Our route took us up through Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin to our destination in Madison.  Madison is a nice little city.  Big enough to have everything you need, small enough to actually get around.  Plus, they have fun accents.  :)

When we were driving through Iowa, I saw a sign that mentioned something about bridges in Madison County in a couple of exits.  A quick google search taught me that these were THE Bridges of Madison County, as in the movie!  So I made Brian take an hour detour.  He wasn't happy, but when are we going to be in Iowa again???

The little town (that I'd have to go back and google what it was called) was the birth place of John Wayne. I have a picture of that, on my phone. I got in trouble for using my phone to take Instagrams instead of the "fancy camera"...so I got the thing out and snapped these of the town.

And here they are, in all their glory - The Bridges of Madison County.  Brian was unimpressed.  I thought they were cute.

And a shout out to Coldplay!

While we were learning, our nanny-in-tow (aka, my mother) took the kids around to the local zoo and children's museum.  Both were a hit! (by the way, posting these pictures of the zoo are the first time I am even looking at them.)

This one cracks me up. She is reading that map, oblivious to the fact that her most favorite animal is standing right behind her!  

And I can imagine Ben yelling "Water Buffalo" the whole time. :)

 

 And here, "fingos STINK!"

So we spent 2 days in Madison, had the most fabulous meal at 8 Seasons Grille, and then headed out on our trek to Cleveland. I really wanted to stop in Chicago at the "bean" thing, but instead, we paid an extravagant amount of money in tolls and kept heading east. I did get a little stop off in South Bend, to see Notre Dame (and have our first Five Guys hamburger experience). 8 hours from Madison and we made it to Cleveland! It rained most of the time, but we did get to have some outside fun at Aunt Melissa and Uncle Angelo's new house!

  Like herding cats, man. It is impossible to take a picture of 4 toddlers. :)

Besides getting to see cousins, aunt/uncle, and Gigi, one of the main reasons of the trip was to celebrate Dominic's 2nd birthday!

How many toddlers does it take to open the birthday boy's presents? 

Don't remember why she was pouting, but it's cute. :)

The birthday boy!

We had a great time playing and we can't wait to go back and visit at Christmas!