Put 'em to work young

Ben loves being outside. And if he can be outside and either really dirty or really wet, then he's in heaven! Here he is helping me water the garden. He couldn't figure out where that water was coming from and would occasionally drop the hose and run away when he was getting really drenched. But he would come right back to it and do it again.

Earlier that week we were out in the garden again. I was picking some lemons while I allowed the kids one bucket of water to play with in the dirt. I thought that might keep the mud level down. Ben kept reaching in and splashing in the water. I was supervising, don't get worried(I could just see the flash of "don't let the kid fall in the bucket!" go across your brain-screen), but I admit I didn't totally notice when the kids started mudding Ben up. Lucy started with his hair. They stretched his mohawk of blond hair straight in the air, his thin hairs suspended in a claylike combination of dirt and water. Then, since I had taken his shirt off, they painted his whole upped body with mud. At first he didn't mind, but I think some water splashed in his eyes and then it was off to the hosing station to get cleaned up. The kids know that if they get covered in mud, they must face mom with the hose. And I'm not always nice. I felt bad for Ben, though, because it wasn't his fault he had dirt in his nostrils! He forgot all about my high-pressure water torture quickly. And he would do it all over again if you asked him about it.

You've got something on your face

How do I get my whole head in here?

Ben likes to eat. And lately he has shown a preference for certain foods. The other day he was squaking and begging for food , doing every sign I've taught him frantically (more, water, hungry!!!! Please listen to me!!!!) so I sat him down with something that a month ago would have sufficed (plain bread, cheese, water) and then I cooked for the rest of the family. But when he saw that steaming, crispy grilled cheese sandwich, he started tossing his food and screeching for the good stuff.

The night these pictures were taken I was supposed to go to a Clipper's game and sit in a VIP box and eat really good food with Chris, but I couldn't find a sitter in time (it was short notice at bed time on a week night and I tried a few people then gave up--basketball's boring anyway, right?). Nellie took us out to ice cream instead because she knew I was a little disappointed. What would I do with her! We went to Coldstone and outside the store there's a little plaza with a walk-through water fountain. Well, I don't think it's meant to be walked through often, but my kids think that's what it's for. Everytime we've gone there, they start out by testing their limits. How close can they get to the fountain before it hits them, or which hole can they step on to prevent the water from spraying them. But by the end of the night (once Ben finally stops eating), they're straddling the shooting water laughing like crazy. It could be a lesson in how we allow sin into our lives. But on a lighter note, it makes for a bit of entertainment along with dessert. Next time we go, I'm going to bring extra clothes.

Our Little Reptevya

I read in some parenting material that early walkers (9-10 months) are usually careless and reckless, wildly attempting their new skills at risk of life and limb. Ben does NOT fit that description. He has perfected the skill of learning to walk. We're talking poster child of the year for walking done right. Am I too proud of his new trick? Maybe, but I'm also seriously baffled by how artfully he has mastered walking. One day we were forcing him to take a few steps between us, the next he was traipsing down the hall! This video takes place after about 5 days of active walking. And you'll have to forgive my singing...

What do you think of this picture? Doesn't it look like Ben is three times bigger than Sam? Or like Sam's clutching a little doughboy, trying to keep him steady. I gotta work on my photography skills.

Stop making me do this, Mom!

I think the real reason Ben became mobile so early is because he gets so focused on what he wants, obsessive even, that he fixates on it--scaling whatever is in his path, crying if it's taken away. If I'm in the room, the object is me! That's why filming him is tricky. But I got a few seconds of his new tricks. He even stood unsupported for a few seconds a couple of times. Those chunky thighs offer some real support, I think.

That's what you get for feeding me poop!

I guess when you can't communicate, like in the case of a 7-month old boy, trying to express how you feel can be very frustrating. So frustrating, sometimes, that you just feel like you could spit! I think Ben hit his limits and needed to do just that--a lot of harmless spitting. Not a bad option, really, and something those with anger management issues should consider. It takes him awhile to get going on the video, but once he does, you'll understand what I'm saying here.

My Kitchen

I took a video of my kitchen so my interior designers (my aunts and mother) could get a better idea of what it looks like. The walls are plaster and there was paint under the wallpaper, but it looks like it was only painted once. We haven't cleaned or done the touch-ups yet, and there is some damage (little cracks, holes from nails). Chris said he can take care of that. The cabinets are flat and smooth to answer your question, Aunt Kathi. They are the original cabinets from '58. They're in good shape, but are very old fashioned. What do I do with a bay window? There's another huge one in the living room. What color paint should I choose? I like sand by Sherman Williams or I would love to try a green color. The linoleum is light (off whitish with a gray-brown marbling pattern) and the counters are white tile. It's pretty new and in good shape (not what I would have chosen, but we're not replacing that yet). We have a lot of eventual plans, but painting the kitchen has moved up to #1 on the list with our recent wallpaper removal hysteria. I have a feeling that's how home projects will progress in this house. We'll get so sick of something that we'll tear it down and spend weeks trying to figure out how to fix it. Crazy house fixing! It's fun though. Thanks for all of your input and help from afar!

National Cheesecake Day

A lot of really great things happened on National Cheesecake day last Wednesday. First, I got a piece of Cheesecake Factory Godiva Cheesecake for $1.50. That alone would have made my day. But then Ben decided to just go over the top and start sitting up, too! He's the third child, so I haven't been trying to teach him the stages of development like I did with the other two. It's more like "Oh yeah, he might be able to do that. Let's try it." So in my moment alone with Ben, I sat him up and he stayed!

He was probaby thinking--"yeah mom, I totally could have done this last week if you would just spend some time with me!" Those younger kids have to jump through hoops to get attention, I hear, so wait for even MORE exciting tricks from Ben still to come.