Water park in the backyard

We turned the fort into a water park today! The weather was perfect for it and the boys had a blast. The slide is very fast and kicks you off the end so it makes for a great splash.





Everyone had fun and got really worn out. Nice combo.

When you gotta go, you gotta go

Even if the toilet isn't connected to anything.

(Subjects in this photo are posing for humor sake only. No toilet was harmed in the making of this photo.)

Buddies

Ben and his buddy Jake played on the fort this afternoon and had a blast. The cooler weather is such a relief to all of us but especially to Ben. That smile on his face is so refreshing to me. He has not wanted to spend five minutes outside for months (unless we are in the water.) When he stepped outside this morning he said, "burrr, I'm chilly". That sweet boy is one extreme or the other.

Met Rudolf

This is no ordinary Rudolf. This pet is very special and goes lots of places every day. Today he went to IHop for breakfast. He sat at the table making pleasant conversation and even ate his eggs. Rudolf is very well behaved which is a good thing because he will have to stay in the car if he starts acting up.



(photos by Ben)

Fort weather

Fort weather = Fall weather. We had a major break in temperature today and got to enjoy our first picnic in the fort. Not sure why Ben was giving me the monster face for this photo because we really had a great time.

Liam, however, was much to busy in the sand box to be bothered with eating.

Day at the beach

I took the boys to Wolly Hollow this afternoon and we had the whole place to ourselves. It was WONDERFUL. The weather was perfect. They played in the water and sand for two hours. There was not another person in sight and we loved it. Can't wait to go back before fall weather begins.

ATV

We live on a cul de sac in a very quiet neighborhood. The boys took their remote control jeep and truck to street today and let 'em rip. They had a blast with so much room and the small inclines and drop offs.

Self portrait

Ben is more skilled at the iPhone than I am. Yesterday he taught me how to do a screen shot. Today he took this photo of himself. I especially like this photo because I see a glimpse of my baby Ben - now five - I don't see that baby face much anymore.

Trios

These toys by Fis*her Price are my new favorites for the boys. We have spent countless hours building and rebuilding.

Guests

Ben and Liam got to show off their fort to our friends, Mia and Dzung this evening. Mia is a senior this year at Hendrix. Dzung graduated from Hendrix in May and is now starting his MBA program at Hendrix. We are so fortunate to have them as friends. They are both from Hanoi and just returned from summer break. Hopefully they can join us for dinner in the fort this fall.

Blues man

That baby can play.

Pirates Ahoy

Today was Ben's best buddy, Jake's birthday. The two of them got to spend the afternoon at the local play house with the huge maze. Then, we joined their family for cake and ice cream this evening. The boys each got a pirate set - complete with eye patch, mini sword and earring. This photo is terrible but the boys still look so stinking cute in costume.

Ebbie

Ben was very excited to help me clean Ebbie's (the frog) tank today. He was in charge of cleaning the rocks and then placing them gently back into the tank. He took this job very seriously.

Ben decided that Ebbie would probably like it if the rocks were in a big pile on one side of the tank.

With one tiny pebble in the middle. Hee Hee

Flying

Liam finally gets a turn! Swim lessons were LONG for Liam. He wanted a turn so badly but truly was a patient little boy and waited every day for FOUR weeks while Ben swam. Now it is his turn do an activity and he SO excited! This picture is terrible but proof none-the-less that Liam is flying in his new gym class. I will get better photos in the weeks to come. Most exciting thing so far is that he mastered the forward role on the first day! Hurray for Liam!

Lobster hands

Ben has been "helping" me out at work and found these cool "glubs". He decided he was a lobster and later asked if we could go to the grocery store to look at the lobsters. He is perplexed by the bands on their "hands". There were lots of questions. Ben is a vegetarian, like myself. Occasionally, he informs us that he will eat meat when he is "big like Daddy". But, he quickly changes his mind when he sees a live or photographed animal. Lots of talk about how animals get to the grocery store. Good times.

(Note rare siting of transformer shirt.)

Hop Hop Hop

This makes me smile. Usually Ben wants to dress up in his transformer or Darth Vader costume. Today he wanted to be a kangaroo and he hopped all over the house. This might be the last time he is willing to squeeze his big boy body into this little boy outfit. So cute.

And, here's Ben in the summer of '07 looking adorable in the same suit.

Good morning

Liam is such a snuggle bug. Ben took this photo of me and Liam. It's way out of focus but I love it anyway.

Push up

Ben's new favorite dessert - orange push ups.

Liam loves them too.

Too hot

The weather report says it "feels like 110 degrees". It is hot hot hot. Ben was climbing the walls (or door) today - looking for something to do.

Just outside is this:

But, it's too hot to play.

FIVE

Five is big. In the blink of an eye we have the most amazing little person who is kind and sweet. Who loves to run and play but is a total snuggle bug and wants someone to lay with him in the dark and tell stories past bedtime. Ben is smart and considerate. He loves his family and his home. He loves life and makes the most of every minute. He is loved by so many people. He brings a smile to everyone's face. He constantly asks questions - mostly "why" or "how". We have been blessed beyond all we could have ever imaged to be Mom and Dad to this child whom we love! Happy Birthday, Ben. We love you forever.