Jump and Jacks

We started the day in tears, after Benjamin saw Jeremy for five minutes, and then had to say goodbye. It was a repeat of the day before. And, the day before that…

The first thing he said when he saw Jeremy was, “work.” He said it in such a defeated way, that Jeremy said, “That is so sad.” And, Benjamin replied. “Sad.”

So, after a teary morning, we finally made it over to Jump and Jacks. I would love to say it was an amazing trip with lots of fun and laughter, but unfortunately, the drama and theatrics  continued there. WE did have fun… for the most part.

The place opened Sunday, so everything was new and fresh. Benjamin loved the many slides and places to climb. It is a gigantic structure, really made for slightly older kids. But, in the morning on a school day, the place was filled with toddlers and preschoolers. So, it was a good crowd.

 

They also had an interactive video game, with versions of Whack a Mole, Frogger and some other random smashing games.

The trouble started when Benjamin began to cry from a very high climbing place. I felt compelled to crawl my way up there to make sure he was OK. Of course, the moment I arrived, he said, “Mama, slide!” He just wanted me to play with him. So, I huffed and puffed my pregnant self to get him, and then squeezed into a claustrophobic enclosed slide with him. We reached the bottom, and he climbed right back up, calling “Mama! Mommy!” The whole way. I told him no, and that he better not go up there again. But, he did, of course. And that is when the screaming began. People looked at me like I was a terrible mom, and one employee even asked if I wanted him to go rescue my son. I told him Benjamin was just having a tantrum and would come down when he was ready. It took a LOOOOOOONNNNG time, but he then came down the slide smiling. I think I won the war, though, because no matter how much he called for me after that, he kept coming back down. I know, a good mom would have crawled up there to play with him…but I have my limits. I don’t do small plastic tunnels! So, in this picture, you can picture his pouting face peeking out of the top window there.

He  left unwillingly, kicking and screaming… the tantrum kept up until I finally just put him to bed and hour early. He is sleeping. I can’t decide if I should worry that maybe he is sick, or chalk it up to an angry and confused toddler who misses his Daddy. But, in any case, PRAY FOR US! We have a long month ahead of us. Thankfully, Jeremy will be home all day tomorrow. I could just cry with relief over that fact!

Play dates

Benjamin and I are all set to take on the week without Jeremy! Luckily, today we got to spend all morning with him, since I had a doctor’s appointment. It was the glucose test, and there was no way I was hauling Benjamin with me. So, my boys played at home, and then when I arrived, we decided to go to the Aquarium one last time before our pass ran out. Benjamin likes it, but the drive is long and we didn’t go all that often compared to the zoo. So, it was a fun way to spend an hour, and Benjamin enjoyed pressing all the buttons on exhibits and pointing to “fishies!”

Jeremy left for work, and Benjamin took a nap. So, I got a chance to pick the house up. It was a good feeling to get things organized. I still need to tackle the upstairs, but at least part of the house looks good. After he woke up, we cleaned a bit before Claire and Emily came over for dinner. Benjamin asked for his Daddy, but when he learned his friend was coming, he didn’t seem to mind quite as much that Jeremy wasn’t coming home. He was especially excited about Claire’s cupcakes!

Tomorrow, I have to work. But, Wednesday we have a dinner scheduled with another friend. So, we plan to keep things exciting!

Here are some more photos from the last week or so. Also, here are a few that I promised last time when my cell was acting up.

When my parents came to visit, we went to Ihop for breakfast one day. Benjamin was quite entertained.

We also went to Entertrainment Junction, where Benjamin loves to play with the train tables. He also ventures out to do a few other things. Here he is shoveling coal into the train.

He got to ride one of the toy trains. This month, I plan to take him to ride the Thomas train. He will be so excited!

He also loves to play on their big playground. I love it, because I don’t have to worry about him falling. So, I can sit on a bench and watch. He did get stuck and scared at one point, but Papa rescued him.  

One evening that Jeremy had off, we went to Jungle JIms to explore. If you haven’t been there, it is the most elaborate grocery store you can imagine, with quite the eccentric decor.  We bought wonton wrappers so Jeremy could make crab rangoon. We also got my favorite pasta, which isn’t sold at the stores I normally frequent. Any international food you could want is there. And, Benjamin loves to see all the fish tanks in the seafood department.

Tyler and his mom Katie came over to visit one morning. They play so well together!

Here is a funny shot I got of Benjamin the other day. He finds the ipod and goes right to Netflicks to pick out his favorite shows. This is typically after I shut off the television and say no more TV. He manages to go find an ipod almost every time. Little stinker!

We have had such nice weather lately, we have been taking trips to the park. I LOVE being outside in the warm sunshine, and so does Benjamin.

He follows other kids around and imitates whatever they do. So, he kept saying, “Mommy, climb!” And off he would go. It makes me get a workout, that is for sure!

Here is my little goofball wearing 3D glasses I brought home from the theater.

That is about all we have been up to. I will keep you updated. Friday, we plan to take a trip to a new kid place in town called Jump and Jacks. Should be fun!

Adios!

Sorry for the delay~

I have been a bad blogger these past three weeks. Yes…it has been that long. Yikes. I guess life just got a little crazy for a while. Jeremy has been working so much, I barely have any time with him. So, that means Benjamin is extra demanding. But, we are plugging away. This month, February, is probably going to be the toughest yet, so pray for our sanity as Jeremy works many 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. shifts and I spend a lot of time alone with Benjamin.

What have we been up to? Well, I don’t have a lot of photos, because a lot of our activities have been things like Bible study, story time and a few play dates here and there. But, here are a few.

Benjamin and Jeremy enjoy playing Xbox together when they get the chance!

Some days, we had to be extra creative with activities, because the weather wasn’t  great and we couldn't go outside in the cold rain.

Benjamin has been difficult lately with photos. I pull the camera out, and he wants to immediately see what is on it. I try to get a shot, and it typically looks like this…and then he wants to see it.

Or take one himself.

Daddy and Benjamin read books one night.

One of the weekends Jeremy had Friday and Saturday off, so we went to a pizza party for all the pharmacists at the VA. Benjamin played with these little girls, and flirted shamelessly.

My parents were here this weekend to keep me from having an absolute meltdown while Jeremy worked from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. So, it was a great weekend, and Benjamin LOVED having all the attention from his Nana and Papa. I took a few photos on my phone, but it  isn’t cooperating at the moment. My dad and I got the basement cleaned and organized, which was a HUGE help, since we are going to need to clear things out of our guest room to make space for another baby room. And, we are trying to prepare the house as much as possible in case we have to sell it this summer. Life is so up in the air right now, but luckily I am in a great Bible study that talks endlessly about trusting in God’s promises, and learning to let go of fear.

I have been busy applying for jobs for Jeremy, and I am sure more opportunities will arise in the coming months. So, keep that in prayer too and let me know if you spot any hospital clinical pharmacy jobs!

I promise to be better about posting more regularly! Benjamin is so darn cute right now…and challenging. He is talking a lot, and repeating most words now. His favorites are “ipod,” and “(angry) birds.”  He loves to play with his Mr. Potato head, blocks and of course, his trains. Rarely a moment goes by that he doesn’t have Thomas the Tank Engine clutched in his little fist. We read many books each day…his favorites, of course, have trains in them.

Well, that is all for now!

First snow

We have been having a mild winter so far (hooray!) But, Benjamin didn’t mind when it go a bit colder this week.

We bundled up and went outside to play in the small amount of snow. He had so much fun!

It did warm up again into the 50s, so that made me happy. I don’t like to be cold, even if it is fun to play in the snow once or twice in the winter.

Here are a few other random photos. Benjamin continues to enjoy ice cream and cookies. He is quite obsessed with them, actually, but who can blame him!

Here he is playing with a Swiffer duster. He loves to “tickle” us with it and laugh hysterically at himself.

After Christmas, Jeremy and I went out to purchase an Xbox for the West Chester Activity Center, since our organization got a grant for some family games. Jeremy was so tempted, that he begged for his own. So, back out to Target we went to get another Xbox. Sigh. His selling point was that I would love the fitness program. It is fun, I must admit.

We had a “brick breaking” competition. I won, of course.

Benjamin loves to play with our shoes. He discovered my boots the other day, and loves nothing more than to put them on and tromp around the house.

Today, we went to Entertrainment Junction to pass some time. Benjamin spent most of the time at the train tables, but I convinced him to try a few other things first. Here he is with his friend Tyler.