This and that…

Ok…get ready for a bunch of random photos!

First, Benjamin, Jeremy and I got to go to the zoo together one morning before Jeremy went into work. It was so nice to spend time together as a family! It was kind of cold, but we needed to get out of the house!

A couple weeks ago, I went home to pass some time while Jeremy was working. It was great to see family, and Benjamin seemed to forget that he was missing his Daddy a lot.

Here he is with GG and Bob Bob.

And of course, there was plenty of cuddle/TV/Ipod/reading time with Nana and Papa.

I should have known something was wrong when Benjamin all the sudden developed an interest in snuggling with everyone. But, I didn’t realize it until later that night that he had a 103.6 degree fever. It wasn’t until a few days later that we realized he had Roseola…a harmless childhood disease that causes a high fever and a rash. Isn’t it funny, though, that a “symptom” of illness for Benjamin is cuddliness?

Anyway, we also had fun visiting with Aunt Keri and Grandma Jan. We took a walk at Aunt Keri’s new house, and Benjamin LOVED running in the “tunnel” of pine trees.

On a rare night that Jeremy was coming home for dinner, I needed to put Benjamin to work. So, he helped me make toasted cheese sandwiches (per Jeremy’s meal request). We melted butter, and I handed a very willing Benjamin a baster brush to “paint” the bread. He loved having a job.

Unfortunately, he kept trying to taste the sandwiches before I could cook them. So, several had small chunks missing from corners.

Here we are on another really nice day! We love this mild winter! Jeremy took him on the playground before work, and I loved being able to sit on a bench, rather than chase him up climbing structures.

Benjamin and I went back to Entertrainment Junction to see Thomas once more before he left. (It was a one-month promotion).

And, the other night we were being goofy and I took a bunch of photos. Benjamin loves to sing, and here he is singing “Jesus Loves Me’ with a stuffed bear that sings the tune to him.

Peek a boo!

BEnjamin loves his play food, but especially the ice cream.

He looks like he is practicing his Olympic victory stance.

We spend a lot of time playing trains…

The life of a 2-year-old

In between our moments of battle, Benjamin and I have been having a good week. Jeremy has tried to be home every other day for a few hours before work, so that has been a huge blessing! I also am trying out new techniques for handling tantrums. Promises of hot chocolate and M&Ms seems to be working.

Here are some random photos from our week.

Benjamin LOVES his bubble baths. We play a long time in the tub, and often it is a great way to deal with bad moods.

Jeremy has been telling Benjamin that I have a basketball in my belly. I don’t think this is a wise thing to say to our poor confused child, but whatever… Here Benjamin is with his own basketball.

Now don’t judge…I am not as large as this next photo looks. I was just sticking out my stomach and propping him in an awkward way.

Benjamin got to ride on Thomas at Entertrainment Junction the other day. He didn’t stop smiling the entire time. Unfortunately, my camera missed those looks and got only what I have included below.

Afterward, we played with trains…

And on the jungle gym.

Finally, I had to include this hilarious photo. We were visiting a friend the other night, and after dinner (a homemade pizza I made that tasted wonderful!) Jude decided Benjamin (who didn’t eat a bite) needed to be cleaned. Benjamin sat there at just took it for quite a bit of time. I laughed so hard. Jude just turned 2, yet he calls Benjamin ‘Baby” and insists on taking care of him. I guess that is what happens when you have two older brothers.

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!