Mud and Tunnels

Today I took Ben outside to play in the sandbox. We got him a little green turtle sandbox, but really, our whole yard is one BIG sandbox, so of course that is much cooler to him! Playing in the turtle sandbox lasted about 5 minutes and then it was on to the "yard". He loves to take his ride on dump truck and plow through the rocks and dirt, making "vroom" noises as he goes. Today, he found some mud. I was looking at Hudson one second and I turned around and Ben was already around the side of the house making mud pies! He had the biggest smile on his face! His little blue crocs were caked with mud and his hands... well you can see below for yourself! I still don't know how we managed to keep the shirt clean...? Gotta love those Boys!

(he did have shorts on outside - I just took them off to wash him. I realized it looks like he was running outside in a T-shirt and diaper...)

Here are some photos from the other night. He wanted to play in his tunnel so bad, so I pulled it out and put it in the hallway upstairs. He had so much fun! It is so funny how at each stage, he plays with the exact same toy, but in a totally different way. Before he was happy just crawling back and forth. Now he likes to "hide" in the tunnel and scare mommy and daddy. He also squeals when you push your face up against it on the outside while he is inside and try and grab his legs...his scream is so cute - a bit girly, but cute! ;)

A Bit Better...

Well, with a bit of luck and a bit of "skill" (wink, wink), I think I have figured it out... It is now too late to post my photos of tonight, so stay tuned... I'll try my best tomorrow morning. I really don't like computers - I don't speak "HTML" very well!
Good night!

Under Construction... HELP!

To anyone reading this that know anything about blogs... I need to know how to change my Header Photo to be a different size... I did this once, but do you think I can remember how!? I don't like what I have right now, but I cannot figure it out....if anyone can give me a bit of help that would be great! If not, I guess I will play around until I figure it out!

I have some great photos of Ben playing in his tunnel tonight, but I want to get my page sorted out before I post anything else...so if you want to see them you'll have to help me first! :)

Ben and His Girl Lucy ;)

Benjamin had a visitor over on Monday - I know, it has taken me THIS long to write about it....
Lucy came by for the afternoon while Colleen, her mom, spent a little while at Clark's year end school party. Lucy and Ben had so much fun together! Ben is just starting to actually "play" with kids when they are around. It was so much fun to watch the 2 of them interact. Lucy still calls Ben "baby Benjamin" and she would call his name and then crouch down and talk very softly in a little voice, just like moms do to their babies... so cute! She shared her sandwich with him and even tried to "help" him drink his milk by holding the cup for him... what a sweet little girl. We will miss them so much this October when the Sandaluk family leaves for Doha, Qatar! Check out Colleen's blog (on the right side of my blog) to see where they will be for the next 2 years - what an adventure!! We wish them all of the best and can't wait for our Christmas visit!!!

These are the BEAUTIFUL peonies that Colleen brought over on Monday. They fill the whole living room with such a summery smell! Dave loves peonies and Colleen knows that so she brought over a bunch - Thanks again Colleen!

My Birthday Gift from My Boys....And of Course, Bobcats!

This was what my 3 boys got me for my birthday. I had to take it back to get the chain shortened because it was too long, but I have it now and it is beautiful! Dave, Ben AND Hudson did a great job picking it out! I love how it is a little antique and a little modern at the same time! And I love that it is square and not round like most diamond pendants are! GOOD JOB BOYS!


This is what we have sitting in our yard right now.... 2 bobcats! Ben is in heaven!!! I think it is so funny how 100% BOY he is! Anything to do with machines or trucks and he is grunting! :) Dave took him in one and he was honking the horn and pulling on the levers. We are still waiting for them to do the rough grade - hopefully tomorrow. We have a landscape architect coming the second Saturday in July to do a blueprint for the yard - Very excited about that! Hopefully by the start of August we'll get to go out and "get dirty" working on the yard. Ben will have a blast!

Mr. Trouble



That's him these days.....trouble! He is into everything - good and bad, and loves it when you chase after him telling him "no". It is our new little game.

We went to the park today to burn off some of the endless energy he has. It was so hot and sunny, so we packed some water and off we went. There is so much construction going on around our house and Ben loves it! It makes the walk to the park that much more interesting for him... and me because I get to "snoop" at all of the other houses going up in the area ;)

We were the only ones at the park today so it was great - Ben had the slide all to himself. He does it all alone now; climbing the stairs to the top, sitting down on his bum and pushing off down the slide. I can't believe how independent he is getting. I wait for him at the bottom to catch him and we do it all again over and over. The best part is when he is down at the bottom, I back up a bit to let him turn to walk and he runs over and hugs me every time... I love that little guy so much! I know my days of "getting a hug each time we go down the slide" are numbered so every time it happens I soak it up!

Ok, I know I went a little crazy with photos on this one, but he is just so darn cute!!!

(I used to hate when moms would brag about how cute their children are.... oops I guess that's me now!) ;)

"So You Think You Can Dance" Night

Tonight is the night that I go to my mom's to watch So You Think You Can Dance. She records the show from last night and the result show from tonight and then we watch both the same night... we have done this for a few seasons. She makes big chocolate chip cookies and we eat them with ice cream. It is a fun night for both of us and tonight Dave was watching Ben so I could relax and spend time with my mom.

We were about half way into it tonight when I got a call that sounded like this: "ummmm, Ben fell tonight Erin and he hit his head really bad.... it is not bleeding yet, but the bump on his forehead is huge!".

I asked him if he could handle it or if he wanted me to come home and then he said: "well....um....I think he needs his mommy...".

What do you say to that?! I packed up my stuff and sped home, not knowing what to expect. When I walked in the door, I was faced with the biggest smile on Ben's face and the biggest goose-egg I have ever seen in my whole life! He couldn't stop smiling and Dave's look was a combination of worried/sick.

We spent the rest of the night playing in his playroom as if nothing happened. He was laughing and running around until almost 10:20! - He is such a tough little guy...his dad on the other hand.... ;)

Day With Granny

Today is the day when I go into work and Ben stays with Granny. They were outside all day playing in his new sandbox. His little feet were BROWN by the time I went to pick him up. My mom was taking pictures of him and would say "say CHEESE" and he would smile so big.

He is a total boy! He loves trucks, getting dirty and playing outside. When we see trucks on the road, he makes a "ugggh" sound and points to them all on the road. He reminds me of Tim Allen from Home Improvement! :) What a little man!

My "WANT"

Doesn't this book look Yummy! I love making them and better yet, I love eating them...mmm!

http://www.amazon.ca/Martha-Stewarts-Cupcakes-Inspired-Everyones/dp/0307460444/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244523572&sr=8-1