Going to be a Great Winter!

He seems to like the "french fries" (skis together going fast) but has no need for "pizza" (ski tips together like a pizza to slow you down)!  Hopefully he'll figure that out soon.  Otherwise, he's having a good time!

 

Nov17 042 from Amy Pearson on Vimeo.

Life is good and maybe this is one reason why...

Ch ch ch changes...

Bennett is no longer taking naps during the day. He's been great lately, but the past few weeks have been quite a transition for the 3 of us. Actually, make that 4 - Logan has started to get very freaked out when "over-tired Bennett" makes an appearance just before bedtime. But we have persevered and now have a handle on the new schedule of no nap and early supper/early bedtime.

This was the first week of no nap:

 

He fell asleep on the floor while we were playing "Mama Lion/Baby Lion".

He's gotten used to the new schedule and is no longer falling asleep on random floors during the day. AND he is no longer putting up a 2-hour fight before bedtime. Lights out at 7:30 makes us a lot happier than 10:30 lights out!

Hooray for no naps!

There have just been a whole slew of changes this fall - new school, new backpack, new lunchbox, new friends, new big boy bed, new sheets, new nightlight, new pooping habits (I'm talkin' bout poopin' on the potty, ya'll! Can I get a woop woop!), new bedtime/wake-up time, and new hip-hop/tumbling class (which means new dance moves each day).

Change is good.

Bi-Lingual Bennett

Fun Thing #4: Campground Birthday Party!

A first for Bennett this year: celebrating his birthday in a campground! It was a load of fun, as you can tell from the video below. And note: we were all STONE COLD SOBER during this afternoon celebration!

Bennett "scaring" Nona and Grandpa:


Bennett had an amazing 3rd Birthday which seemed to last an entire week. He got SO many wonderful toys, games & clothes. Thanks to everyone for making his week special with the things he loves most in life: presents!

Fun Thing #3: Get Your Wedding On - Ring Bearer Style!

On July 14th, Bennett was in his first wedding as a ring bearer.

He really enjoyed being part of Ellen & Andy's wedding -

along with Chloe, Charly & Parker.

We'll call him "Second Bearer", next to Parker.

Katrina Serene Photography

When I first told him he was going to be in Ellen's wedding and carry a white pillow, he was so excited. He said he couldn't wait to carry a penguin pillow in Aunt E Precious's wedding! He was referring to this, of course:

It's the pillow he sleeps with every night - and it's white on the other side. But I said GranJan would buy him a new white pillow to carry in the wedding and that it would have a ring on it.

He was OK with that. 

In the weeks leading up to the wedding he would tell people that he was going to "walk down the island and carry a white pillow with a ring on it".

I gave up trying to explain.

Katrina Serene Photography

 As it turned out, Second Bearer walked down the aisle with me instead of the other kiddos. At the last minute he refused to walk with them. But, I was glad to have a cute little escort anyway (who ruins pics by putting the ring pillow in front of his face).

Katrina Serene Photography

The rest of the cute lil' crew:

Katrina Serene Photography

 He was out-of-his-mind-happy the rest of the night - chasing the big kids in the yard, playing with new trucks from Aunt Theresa, and, of course, GETTIN HIS DANCE ON!

 

Katrina Serene Photography

His hair was soaked from all the sweat! We had to pull him off the dance floor around 10pm to be ushered home by Gee Gee & Daddy Bill. I know, such mean parents!

Katrina Serene Photography

Katrina Serene Photography


I was SO HAPPY to finally meet the twins!!!
Their first wedding....awwww...

Katrina Serene Photography

Katrina Serene Photography

SUCH a great wedding! 

It was exactly what a wedding should be - loads of fun.

Good people, good food, good venue and good music.

Way to go Aunt E Precious and Uncle Andy!

Congratulations on your new big adventure!

Katrina Serene Photography

Fun Thing #2 - Sprinklers!

Montana has had a heat wave lately, which has unfortunately brought on a ton of wildfires across the state and even one in the Helena valley.

Over the weeked we hit 100 degrees so instead of joining 5,138,123 kids at the pool we decided to run through the sprinklers!

Bennett's saying "One, two, three, RELEASE!"

Because that's what he says before releasing his matchbox cars down the racetrack.

Fun Thing #1 - MON-STER-TRUUUUCKS!

Bennett's favorite thing right now : Monster Trucks.

And he got to see one. Live. In Person.

BooYeah!!

this morning

This morning Bennett woke up kind of early - right at 7am. This might not be early for some kids, but B is a sleeper inner like his Mama. I usually have to wake him up at 8:00. So I figured we had some time before the day got rolling and I asked him if he wanted to lay in my bed for a bit. We both got in and I covered him up with blankets, snug as a bug. We closed our eyes and snuggled.

About 2.5 seconds later he opened his eyes and started fidgeting. I asked if he wanted me to tell him a story. He said yes, so I told him a story about a young boy who lost his favorite shirt but then found it again. I asked if he had a good time with the babysitter last night. He said he did and then told me about all the things they did together - ate pizza, drew with sidewalk chalk, played with trucks and cars. Then he asked, "Did you have a good day, Mama?" I said "yes, I had a good time on my bike ride." Then he said, "My favorite part of the day is right now!"

See, over the past couple months we've been doing this new thing at the dinner table. We go around the table and each of us talks about our favorite part of the day. Sometimes one of us says, "My favorite part of the day is right now!" And Bennett loves that. He seems to want to say that all the time now. Which is super cute.

I'm looking forward to having 'favorite parts of the day' this summer. A new summer is ahead of us with exciting possibilities and prospects. A summer to live life to the fullest and appreciate the things that matter most.

A summer to
Be merry.
Do fun things.
And have favorite parts of the day.

"What is a 'weekend'?"

Well, I guess I do have a reason for not blogging lately.

Here it is:

Rory's favorite - Mr. Bates!

It has become the newest love in my life.

There.

I said it.

I am not ashamed!

-Amy

p.s. Don't worry, I'll be back soon....

life

I have no excuse for not writing lately. Just been livin' life.

Family time:

Alone time:

 

Bath time:

New cousin time:

Jude & Justice, born 4/30/12

Congratulations, Angela & Geoff!

ANOTHER big milestone

On Saturday, at Great Divide Ski Resort, Rory rented a pair of 'big boy' skis for Bennett and he skied down the backyard hill ALL BY HIMSELF! Wha-hoo! What a big boy he is now...shreddin' some pow without the help of his Mama or Dada! The only bummer is I missed it! I was shreddin' my own chicka-pow. Unfortunately we don't have any pictures. Just picture it like this, but without holding Rory's hands!!

Here's a cute video from a couple weeks ago. Cate & Bennett making lots and lottsa animal noises (adjust speakers appropriately - its kinda loud!):

And one last thing: Here are the pictures from the Missouri River float last weekend. Rory and Andrew took Greysen & Bennett on a father-son date.

http://amyrory.smugmug.com/Other/Boys-on-River/22164508_G9W5Z9#!i=1769830667&k=vgxndKJ

I'm out!

milestone

(fishy shirt by Becky Schreiner)

Bennett hit a new milestone this week, people. NEW milestone!

Wait for it...

Wait for it............

Yesterday, Bennett peed (outside) on a tree for the first time! Wha-hoo!
This is big.
BIG TIME.

He's been doing so great using the potty every day - both at CassieCare and at home. And we're VERY proud and excited about that. But peeing outside...in the backyard...that's just awesome. Now, we can just take him anywhere and if he has to pee...we'll say "just go pee over there on that tree, Bennett" or "just go pee on that fence"; or "just go pee in the river" or "just go pee off that ledge."
Maybe not that last one...just yet.

Anyways, its a big milestone in this family and we're super happy for Bennett. I wonder if babycenter.com includes this on their list of milestones.

(monkey scarf by GranJan)

Got a cute little quote from the other morning...

I went in to his room to get him out of bed and he stood up and asked "Where's Dada? Is he in bathroom going poo-poos?"

ummm, he was not. He was at work. But it was nice of Bennett to ask.

FYI

Bennett would like you to know that he has a freckle.

And that he likes strawberry/mango/peach/kale smoothies.

And that he went to see a movie in the theater for the first time.