We Accessorize!

I have this red beaded necklace that I wore at Christmas. It was a cheapo necklace that I think I bought at Claire's for a party we had to attend. Needless to say, I got my $7 dollars worth out of it, but it didn't last many more wears after that party. Bennett must have been digging in a drawer and found it. When I came downstairs, he was working the vaccuum sporting this festive accessory. I'm sure his daddy would rather I not post the picture, but I had to.

Planet Smoothie

About a month ago, Pops introduced Bennett to smoothies. Of course, it was a hit! I've been meaning to take Bennett back to Planet Smoothie for another treat. We went to the doctor yesterday for our 15 month well checkup and was informed that we need to try and add some extra calories to Bennett's diet. He's no string bean of a kid weighing in at a hardy 23 lbs. 11 oz., but I guess since he's so active, his weight gain over the last two check ups has trickled off. He goes non-stop as any toddler does, but he definitely eats. The doctor said introduce peanut butter (he threw it), fruit preserves on bread (also landed on the floor), and a few other things that we're still acquiring a taste for. After hearing about adding calories, I thought a smoothie (or maybe 10) was in order. We went to the park this afternoon and then to the choo-choo train and on our way home stopped in for a smoothie. Bennett sucks it down so fast. I worry he'll get a cold headache, but if he got one, you'd never know it. At this point, a smoothie is about the only thing that will get him to slow down. I had to take advantage of the photo opp. The workers at Planet Smoothie are going to get to know us really well!

Happy Easter 2008

What a wonderful day! We got to church this morning for the 9:00 service and the message was so good. It always is, but the music was great too. All the little ones in their Sunday best...just precious. Our sunday school class had a brunch this morning and it was nice getting to catch up with everyone. We're so blessed! I hope you have a special Easter too.

New Easter Toy

We love our house. It's sort of a treehouse located up a hill in the midst of beautiful trees. Perfect, except that we have no front yard at all....it's a downhill slide which is great for getting in shape, but terrible for a 15 month old. Our backyard is a little better, but no dream for a little one. Nina decided this week that Bennett needed something to play on in his tiny backyard. She took us to ToysRUs and got him an awesome little playset. It has a swing, rock climbing thing, lookout tower, and slide. Just what Bennett (and I) needed to keep him entertained. The only problem, as many of you know, is that these things don't assemble themselves. :) Thanks Fletcher for putting it together. Bennett helped a little!

Thank you Nina for the great gift!

Sunset Easter Egg Hunt

Our final egg hunt for this year was last night just after sunset. Our wonderful neighbors, Nancy and Lewis, invited us down to participate in a tradition they do every year....hunting egg after the sun goes down. The kids were so excited with flashlight in hand. It was a little late for Bennett, so he was more entertained by the brownies. We had a great time and can't wait to do it again next year!

Easter Egg Hunt #2

After lunch we went to our neighborhood egg hunt and I think the morning practice run helped out. Bennett actually picked up a few. We hit up the playground afterwards for some time on the slide. Two egg hunts down and one to go....

FUMC Easter Egg Hunt

Bennett had his first Easter egg hunt this morning along with a pancake breakfast at church. The egg hunt for the young ones was located in the play area where we often go in the afternoons. Bennett was more excited about climbing the slide than gathering eggs, but he had fun and we had a blast watching him. He picked up two eggs and an empty Gatorade bottle. (a successful hunt, if you ask me) When it was all over, he was worn out.

Hunting Easter Eggs

We would rather be climbing

Fun Family Day

Nina had fun too

All worn out

Happy Good Friday!

Bennett's new friends

Playing with the big kids

Such a sweet face

Heading down the slide backwards

Taking a rest
Watching the train go by

Taking a seat

We hope you had a wonderful Good Friday. Our Good Friday was especially special (a little redundant) because we have Nina here celebrating with us. Today is her last full day before heading home tomorrow, so we wanted to make the most of it. We did a little shopping this morning, much to the dismay of Bennett (just like his daddy). After our afternoon nap, we headed to the park. We're blessed to be just up the street from a great park. We spent an hour or so playing and then headed to the square to play on the train. Bennett LOVES the train. This afternoon there were several bigger kids playing there, so we didn't get as much time as usual. Bennett was right in the middle of this kiddos which kept me on my toes. He would run from one side to the other until he was worn out. We were training for the big Easter egg hunt tomorrow.

Talkin' Shop

Most afternoons when Fletcher gets home from work, he'll take Bennett outside and they'll play. So nice for all of us. I get a break and they get some time to hang out. I came out on the patio the other day to find them talking. Thought it was too sweet not to document.

Happy St. Patty's Day

Happy St. Patty's Day! Nina came to spend her spring break with us, so we're getting to do lots of fun stuff. Monday we spent the afternoon at the park swinging and going down the slide. The weather was gorgeous and we had to take advantage of it. Bennett was all over the place exploring. He worked up quite an appetite as you can see in the picture (do we need all three of the nilla wafers our mouth at once?). Cousin Jack came over that night to hang out with us while his mommy and daddy had a date night. Mom and I got such a kick out of him. He speaks so clearly and has so much to tell you. Jack and Bennett had bathtime and then danced in the living room. So nice for Bennett to get to see his buddy again before Jack heads back to Texas.

Lunch with The Whittens

My cousin Andy, his wife, Jenny and their little boy, Jack were in Marietta visiting Jenny's brother this past week. We were so glad they had time to come have lunch with us on Sunday. Jack is 3 and knows lots of cool tricks, so Bennett had a blast following him around. Our backyard is pretty non-existent, so the boys had to make their own fun with the huge hill. Not to worry, they did! We got such a kick out of them climbing all the way up and sliding down. They loved it. Bennett could wiggle his way down it pretty fast (I'm sure that's great for the bottom of his pants). We so enjoyed getting to spend time with the Whitten crew and can't wait to see them again!

Our Third Haircut

Finally, I've learned how to load pictures on Fletcher's camera, so I have a lot of catching up to do. I'll start with last Friday. Bennett was in desperate need of a haircut. This would make his 3rd and the experience has never been that pleasant (maybe why I've been putting it off). This time, Bennett was great. He sat there eating his animal cookies and hanging out. It might have been the sweet little blonde girl sitting next to him getting her curls cut. I have to say, she was a cutie...Bennett has great taste. He watched her the entire time. I had to post a few pics.

Broken Camera

I've been wanting to blog all week with lots of great photo opps, but my stupid camera is broken. I'm so bummed and for some reason I don't want to write without posting pics. I know the pictures are the real reason my parents check out the blog. :) Anyway, I'm working on getting Fletcher's camera and then I'll be back up and running. In the meantime here's a picture for Nina, Papa, Grammy, Pa, CeCe, and Pops....

A Few More Pics

Back to my point of "off and running".....Bennett is running and I have to say it makes his momma a little nervous. I had to post a few pics of him running on the front porch. They're a little blurry, but you get the idea.

We're Off and Running

Since Bennett started walking a couple of weeks ago, it has been non-stop. This has to be my favorite stage so far. He's so curious and independent and just wants to roam. CeCe and Pops came down this weekend to help us celebrate Fletcher's birthday. Saturday night we went out to dinner with friends while they hung out with Bennett. Sunday we spent the day playing outside. Pops introduced the little guy to smoothies.....it was a hit! I was worried he would get a "cold headache" from drinking too fast, but if he did, he never let on. Sunday night, we went out to dinner to celebrate the birthday boy. We had a great weekend enjoying the beautiful weather and wonderful company.