Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Since Jeremy is leaving town next weekend, and we won’t have much time in December, we decided to put up our tree a little early. Benjamin had so much fun! His favorite ornament was Bob the Tomato, though he has a bunch of others that he likes to point out or play with.

We had a big weekend! I was selected for the Woman of Excellence award through our chamber of commerce. They make a really big deal out of it, and it is a black tie event. So, Jeremy and my dad went with me, and a friend watched Benjamin. Benjamin thought it was interesting to see Mommy and Daddy getting all dressed up!

 

They gave the eight women honored so many gifts, including roses, proclamations from the two townships, our state congresswoman, senator and John Boehner. Then, we got random gifts, like a bath robe, jewelry, a nice scarf and a book. Finally, they gave us a giant granite plaque. It weighs a lot, so I am not sure quite what to do with it. We have jokingly started calling it my tomb stone. Aren’t we terrible!?

The woman who nominated me initially and gathered all the letters from co-workers and community people in support of the nomination, is an artist. She gave me one of her paintings, which was so special!

We also got to have our hair cut and styled (hence the new short hair cut). So, all in all, it was a wonderful experience! Plus, I got to meet a lot of really great people!

Choo Choo!

Benjamin LOVED seeing the trains at the Cincinnati Museum Center. We just love it there! Frist, we started with the model of Cincinnati, which has planes, trains, trolley cars and more. He could watch it forever. We had to walk a ways to get to the Holiday Trains, so we passed by a steamboat exhibit that he thought was interesting. Nana came with us, which made the trip extra special!

 

Benjamin didn’t want to hold still to pose. He wanted to see the “Choo Choos!” He didn’t stop saying “Choo Choo” the entire time we were there.

Claire and Emily met us there. Claire was a bit scared during her walk to the trains, but she told her mom, “Benjamin will keep me safe.” So precious!

My arms got tired, so I stacked some blocks together to help them see by themselves.

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The train table was the biggest hit.

But, Benjamin grudgingly took a break to ride the big train… all by himself. He and Claire looked so cute riding away down the track.

They were so serious about it. I don’t think either cracked a smile. AS soon as it was over, Benjamin took off in a sprint back to the train table.

Fearless!

We had such a fun time taking Benjamin to Coco Key ( a local hotel that has day passes to its waterpark) on Friday. Jeremy had the day off for Veteran’s Day, so it worked out perfectly! I could not have managed alone! Benjamin LOVED the slides, and that was all he talked about for the rest of the day after we left. We didn’t get many photos, because we needed one of us at the top and one at the bottom of the slide at all times. And, with water everywhere…you can understand the dilemma. He did not stop smiling…except when we tried to get photos. Go figure… But, it was a great experience. Jeremy even got to go down a big slide while Benjamin and I floated in the lazy river.

These were two of the three slides on which he was allowed. This section was for children 48 inches and shorter. So, we couldn’t go down with him.

I was freezing, so I sat in the water much of the time while waiting to catch him at the bottom. He went under so many times, but came back up smiling.

We had to really scramble to get this video. Jeremy literally ran down the stairs to help catch Benjamin.

Fall photos

 

Trick or Treat

Benjamin wasn’t thrilled about going out last night, but he quickly caught on to a fun new game. Smile and wave at people, and they give you candy to put in your pumpkin!

Riding in his chariot, we set out for our adventure. Yes, he is wearing the same costume as last year. We are not very creative people! I admit it. And, I hated to spend the money on another costume when this one fit so well.

We saw some of our friends on the street.

And, Benjamin got his first taste of M&Ms.

He signed “more” for the rest of the ride.

Earlier in the weekend, we visited Nana and Papa and got to go to Aunt Kim’s house for Trick or Treat.

Here are a few other photos from the weekend. I have more to post from his photo portrait session, but I will do those later.

Nana and Benjamin got all dressed up to go outside!

Daisy came too!

Trains, as usual, were the main attraction…

And it was sad to leave. Benjamin has been asking for Nana and Papa for the past two days now the moment he wakes up in the a.m. It was so nice to have some help and leave him with someone else at 6 a.m. so I could catch up on some sleep for two days. Unfortunately, that meant he was spoiled with time snuggling in their bed and watching Mickey Mouse Club House.

I will post a video later with Benjamin and Daisy. So cute! And, of course, his photo shoot resulted in some of the most precious photos!