I love you...

Here is a conversation that my husband and son had this morning as my husband was getting ready for work.

Ben: Build tracks too, Dad?
Jacob: No, I have to go get ready for work.
Ben: I'll follow you.
Jacob: No, you stay here.
Ben: But, I love you. (imagine this being said with a pouty face)

Can we say guilt trip?

Happy New Year!

I was thinking back about my new year's resolution for 2008. I had said I wanted to cook better and more "creative" meals for my family. I think I achieved that. Tonight we are having Chili, which isn't too exciting, but it sure beats a frozen pizza. Now on to 2009. I was going to write some profound resolution like "I will be a happier, better mom." Or, "I will embrace all the changes that are coming with Jacob going back to school." But, this morning I came to a realization that will now be my 2009 resolution. I need to cook better pancakes. I am absolutely terrible at making pancakes. It's not an issue with the batter, it's more of a technical issue. I flip them either too early or too late, and when I do flip them they end up on top of each other. The funny thing about this is that Jacob says I taught him to make pancakes and his always turn out perfect. Half of this morning's batch ended up in the garbage because they were black, and I am pretty sure I had a couple that were doughy in the middle. So, I will keep practicing, and maybe in a year you can come over for pancakes... at your own risk.

Nice job, Mom!

If I ever feel like the cleaning I do isn't appreciated, I just need to have Ben around while I clean. Here is what happened today as I was cleaning the bathroom.
Ben: "What doin' Mom?"
Me: "I'm cleaning the bathroom, would you like to watch?"
Ben: "Yeah!"
Me: (cleaning the toilet)
Ben: "Nice job, Mom!"
Me: (cleaning the mirrors)
Ben: "Great job, Mom!"

This continued with every little task I completed, and eventually it included clapping too. I think everyone should have a two year old around when they clean.

Only a two year old boy

Only a two year old boy would take a snack of animal crackers and applesauce and make it gross. How you might ask? By covering the animal crackers in applesauce and saying "animals pooping." That kid has quite the imagination.

Drumstick

Last night we were out grocery shopping right up until dinner time, so for dinner I bought a rotisserie chicken. When we got home Ben watched Thomas while I put away groceries and put the finishing touches on dinner. I asked my husband if he thought Ben could eat a drumstick. We decided he could so I said "Ben gets a drumstick and Daddy gets a drumstick," thinking Ben was so engrossed in Thomas he wouldn't hear. He did, and that is when things got ugly. Ben thought we meant a toy drumstick that goes with his toy drum. So, when it was time to sit down and eat, all Ben did was stand by the toy closet and cry for his drumstick and drum. After about 15 minutes of meltdown we got Ben to sit down and eat some of his dinner. As sad as it is to see Ben get so confused and meltdown, I love to see him learn about language and the different uses of words. And you have to admit it's pretty cute that all the little boy wanted was to play his drum with his drumstick.

Happy Birthday

Yes, Ben is wearing his sister's diaper, and yes we are going to show this at his wedding someday ;)

We must be doing something right

I am back! We recently bought a new computer, and blogger actually works on this computer, so I will hopefully be blogging more. On to the stories....

I took Ben and Madeline Trick or Treating today and Ben pretty much melted my heart. Ben used to go to tumbling classes and his teacher, Teacher Kathy, lives right behind us. Her house was about the third we went to. While we were waiting for someone to come to the door Ben took two pieces of candy out of his bucket and said "for Teacher Kathy." I almost cried and unfortunately Teacher Kathy was not home to witness Ben's touching act of charity. At each house after that Ben would dig through his bucket for Candy to give away. The first thing he did when we got home was give a piece of candy to his daddy and say "for you." How precious that he thinks first of others before himself. Growing up the highlight of my birthday was always trick or treating, but I know now it will be taking my children trick or treating and watching them grow into caring, generous individuals.