Happy Birthday Josh!

My wonderful husband turned 33 today.  Happy birthday!  And what a beautiful day it was.

My baby, cute as ever, loved playing outside today.

 My hubby, also pretty darn cute.  ;)  He's holding his birthday present from me & Benjamin.

More pictures to come.  We also celebrated my Daddy's birthday (which was on the 17th), and Josh's Uncle Tommy's birthday.  

Woodchuck

These were taken early July (before Benjamin's birthday).

We were having some "Let's not make the crib our enemy" time. Benjamin, always teething it seems, took the opportunity to check it out with his teeth. 

I was less concerned about the crib, and more concerned with the shavings he could potentially shave off with his teeth, so I firmly tried to redirect him. It was not well received. We proceeded to have a back and forth exchange.

He bounces back rather quickly.

His side of it probably went something like this: 

I wonder if Mama meant this side too?

No?

I will hit you then.

I will do what I want to.

I'm cute. You won't correct me if I smile.

What?! But I want to chew!  I'm mad.

Look at my pookie face. See how upset I am? I have real tears and a fat bottom lip.

But Mama, It isn't that bad.

What? I can chew on the flashlight!

What's this?

Toddlers...Always learning.  Parents...Ditto.

Sunday, September 8

We had a fun-filled Sunday.  It started out at church. Benjamin figured out he could climb into our chairs in the teen building.

After church was over (I had nursery with him this week) we went to the sanctuary. He decided that he was big and walked upright up the stairs to the stage while holding onto the railing. 

After church my mom and I got some lunch and headed to Ashley Lauren for some tiring (but successful) consignment shopping.  Benjamin went with Josh to his family's house for lunch.

I went for a walk downtown before meeting back up with them. The boy was quite tired by then & had given up for an afternoon nap.

We took the teens bowling. Benjamin was a handful to keep up with. We decided his next bowling trip will need to be when he is older.  We all had some fun though. 

Out & about

These were taken a few weeks back. He looks so preppy.  He sees me withy camera / phone lately and deliberately doesn't look at me. Sigh. 

What was that?

What do you mean stay out of the wood pile?

Love our view.

Those hills are hard to navigate.

Have a great day!

At Mamaw's

Flash back to the very end of July when I went back to school, and when Josh went on a mission trip to Haiti, and you have a dinner at Josh's Mamaw's with the rest of his family.

Benjamin petting Moses.  He was one of Athena's babies.  Notice his resemblance to our (late) Homer.

He was patient at first, then he was tired of the baby.

Smiling and laughing for us, and blurring.  He seems to move a lot lately.  Thus, pictures get blurry easily.

Looking at Papaw & Nana. / Trying to escape down the stairs.

The kitties seeking refuge with Papaw. Notice the black cat, Esther.  Also one of Athena's.  Notice that they look strikingly similar.

We had a great time.  It was a nice visit and distraction during a week without Josh and little communication with him.

At the playground

Well, if you live in our area you've heard about the small rock slides that affected the river road Josh & I drive home.

On Monday, I went to drive home only to find a very long, very still line of traffic.  I had a restless child already (who had already been very patient on a trip to Wal-Mart).  Since we weren't very hungry, I opted to turn around and head to the playground at the school where I teach.  It is open to the community after school hours.

Benjamin loved running around our PreK playground.  There was another family there with their child and small dog.  Benjamin was quite interested in Bella.

After they left I introduced Benjamin to the Little Tikes Garden Playhouse that our class was very happy to have approved for purchase for this year.  

He was quite excited about the pine cones.

No Mama, I won't smile.

He absolutely loves sticking things in holes right now.  He enjoyed putting the pretend nails in and out of the holes in the house.

It was just his size!

The rock slide that evening was cleaned up rather quickly.  Unfortunately another worse slide happened on Wednesday, and the road was shut that evening, all Thursday, and part of Friday.  There is still only one lane open as far as I know.

We made makeshift plans on Wednesday, and we stayed with my parents.

Josh & I planned to drive home together on Thursday night (the long way).  Benjamin & I went on a few errands after I got off of work, and then we headed back to the school to wait for Josh to get off of work.  We needed to leave a car there for when we carpooled back the next morning. (We had to leave the house at 5:20 AM on Friday morning.  Bleh.)

Since we had the time we went back out onto the playground.  I learned my lesson from earlier in the week when I had to sweat it out in my work clothes.  I changed into something comfier before chasing him around in the very muggy 90-something degree heat.

He had a good time.  He ignores me most of the time when he's playing there.  Too much to see I guess.

I managed to squeak out a few smiles from him.

I couldn't resist a cropped closeup. ;)

We went inside the domed structure that is also a climbing toy.  The late sun cast some neat shadows.

He was very serious during a lot of his time outside.  He was taking it all in.  It was also miserably hot.  He sweated a lot.  Drank plenty of water.  I had quite the stinky sweaty smelly little boy when we were done.  I wasn't a bed of roses either. lol.

We are very glad to be home for a long weekend.  

We're also excited about fall weather which will hopefully be coming soon.