Lexington - Annual Spring Break Trip

Playing at Aunt Neen's:

We spent alot of time at Aunt Neen's house. She did a bunch of home-cooking and we played there during the days as well. Nicholas, Nathaniel and Jack were three peas-in-a-pod. Ben explored most of the time and favored Memom as he knows her the best. Separation anxiety seems to be in full-effect for him since hitting 12-months. He warmed up to everyone eventually-especially Madison and Lauren.



Memom made all the grandchildren an afghan (excluding Ben since he doesn't have a big-boy room yet). This is Nicholas with his afghan. They were all beautiful and so special.

The swords are styrofoam; they were very popular. The Nerf basketball was also a favorite of everyone.

Memom and Ben at Neen's.

Exploring . . .

A battle is abreast!

These chairs are just my size.

On our way back to Memom's house!

Easter Sunday

I got a couple of fantastic pictures of Sam, Jack and Ben Easter morning. However, in the best ones, Sam had his bluetooth on his ear. This one is pretty good, too.

These "dressy" shorts that Jack's wearing are semi-famous at First Baptist of O'Fallon. As we were leaving church, Sam was carrying Ben and Jack was holding my hand. Doh-tee-doh-ing along and I look down and Jack's shorts are around shins and he was oblivious. I don't know how since he could hardly move his legs. People passing by were cracking up. Sam and I were laughing so hard and Jack joined in and laughed at himself. I was cryin'.

Me with the boys. I love Ben's hat and tie.

Jack-in-the-box

I just loved these pictures. I had been in the kitchen getting dinner ready and walked in to find them playing so well and 'Jack in-the-box'. I think he climbed in to keep Ben from getting certain toys. Cute none-the-less.

Birthday Cake

Apparently, Ben might not be related to me. He doesn't like chocolate cake! I really don't know how that is possible. He's a great eater and loves most foods. Not his chocolate birthday cake. Crazy, I know.

Ready to dig in.
Slow going. It's so big compared to what he usually gets on his tray.

Not sure about how it feels.

Studying it alot.

Tasting . . . and cue yuck face.

More yucky faces.

And this is where he started to cry. We tried feeding it to him with a fork-thinking he didn't like the feel on his hands, but the fork still was a no-go.

Lots of pictures!

I have so many pictures that I've uploaded and haven't used on the blog. Here are just a few:

Jack and Ben playing in the court.

Ready for a wagon ride

Jack in action on his spider-man scooter.

Love the tongue concentration here.

Love the pose.

Playing together and not knowing I'm taking pictures. Love it!

Ahhhh . . . peace on the home front.

Jack had put his McDonalds headset on Ben.

Ben sitting in Jack's big chair for the first time.

Ben sportin' his green

When I went to the gym this morning, everyone was sporting shamrocks on their cheeks and green was everywhere. Ben joined in on the fun. It's like a big celebration just for him (at least that is what he'll think until he's old enough to know different).

Happy Birthday, Ben!

The Big One!
Twas the day of his birthday,
Ben had not a clue.
he would try chocolate cake,
and open a few presents, too.

He's cruising and crawling
and I can't get anything cleaned.
Maybe that's a good excuse;
for my house looks less than sheen.

We are so blessed by you, Ben;
You've been a snuggler since birth.
My mission as your mama
is to make you a God-fearing man on earth.


Ben's first year in pictures; watch him grow!

Mr. Graceful

Poor Ben. Yesterday he was watching out the front window, fell sideways and busted his nose up. Poor thing was insconsolable and just clinged to me. We snuggled for a while and when he had been calmed down for a bit, I looked at him and saw a little blood and a big swollen nose. I had no idea it was that bad. It is much better today; swelling down, redness almost gone. I bet it will turn blue before long.

Guest Teacher

This year at Jack's preschool it is required for parents to volunteer in the classroom once-a-month. Siblings aren't allowed and it has been extremely difficult to find a babysitter for Ben. I was able to get a sitter and I was a "guest teacher", as Jack calls it in his class. I bring snack for that day and Jack was beside-himself-happy to have me in there.

Here are the pictures from that day:

Free play. Jack is playing house with the little living room set.
I just thought he was super handsome with those blue eyes and plump lips. I tell him all the time that I'm gonna lock him in his room when he's older cause the girls are gonna be chasin' him.

Some of Jack's classmates who kept wanting their picture taken.

Jack playing with a babydoll during his house play. He was telling his teachers that this little baby likes strawberries because she had on a strawberry bib. . . makes sense.

More handsome-ness.

Making soup and salad for me.

Listening to Mrs. Holan

Checkin' me out just about every 30 seconds. Smiling and giving me the thumbs up each time.

This is a teddy bear song where it tells them to hug each other. There's a video of this below. Cracks me up.

More of the song.

Playing play-doh.

Putting materials away because the day is over. Time to go home. I had a blast.

This is the video of the kids dancing and hugging. I love how Jack demands a second hug from one boy and then another boy comes over and turns Jack around; forcing a hug. Too cute. Very fun to watch the groovy dancing.

Those Darn Shoes

These photos look like pictures of Ben following a round of shots at the doctor's office, but they're actually just pictures of Ben following my putting shoes on him. He can't stand shoes. I decided that if he's going to be cruising everywhere, he needs shoes (at least in public). You would have thought he was being tortured. Love his heart.

Big tears

Aren't we pitiful?