Steak 'N Shake

Kevin traveled out of town for work this week, so I was flying solo with the boys.  Granna and Opa took us to Steak and Shake for dinner one night and then helped out the rest of the week.  We appreciate their help!

 The sweet and the silly.......but both are my favorite littlest men ever! 

 Opa and Bennett

Granna and Trenton

And this is how I get ready with B.  He plays with my electric toothbrush and climbs in the laundry basket.  Then, it's walking in my shoes.  Anything to entertain the guy and look somewhat presentable!

Ride 'Em, Plasma Cars!

Giddy up, plasma cars!  Trenton and Bennett rode around the downstairs longer than 8 seconds before getting bucked off for naps.  Trenton was a cowboy full of facial expressions as he scooted.  Bennett thought pretty much everything Trenton did was hilarious until he got tired of getting bumped by his older brother.   

Movie Night

We had movie night at Trenton's preschool/church.  There was a bounce house, face painting, balloon artists and all kinds of tasty goodies prior to the movie beginning.  It was nice to meet some of Trenton's classmates.  Granna left once Daddy got there with Bennett.  He goes to bed early so was ready for bath, bottle, and bed.  We stayed with Trenton but he too got tired and asked to leave about halfway through the movie.  We didn't mind. 

 Trenton and his balloon sword/belt and Bennett with his puppy dog. 

 We couldn't have done it without Granna's help.  Mommy volunteered to work the bounce house and Daddy wasn't back from work.  Trenton sampled his first cotton candy.  It's a no go.  He was not a big fan.

Epic was the movie choice, and lucky for us, we hadn't seen it yet.

iphone randoms

We're fitting in the new hood pretty well.   The boys have friends in the cult-de-sac, older boys but they are still kids and fun to interact with.  Even though they are 2nd and 3rd graders, they want to play with Trenton and of course, Trenton wants to play with them.  On occassions, they've followed us into the driveway and rang the doorbell to play.  I don't think Trenton is aware that they are that much older than him.  He is still so innocent and sweet.  He always tells them, "Let me ask my Mommy."  I love it.  They're probably like, "What?"  Then you have the times when the boys want to cool off and spray the hose.  They take their shirts off.  Trenton asks and I give him permission for him to take his shirt off, too.  Fine with me.  But.....then his shorts get wet and before I can say anything, he's taking them (and his underwear!) off.  He sees nothing wrong with it because we've let him play in the hose naked all these years.  He's 3!  However, we quickly had a little chat about staying clothed, even when wet, when we are out in public now.  No more naked sprinkler play for this little man.  He's hangin' with the big boys!

Pretend battles.  My how this reminds me of my brother and his neighborhood friends growing up! 

There's B and T in the middle of it all!

Trenton was dying to try on the knight costume.

Oh, another day we went sledding!  Who needs snow?! 

Trenton loved it.  B was too little but wanting so badly to try it out.  I ended up having to pull him around the lawn. 

Bennett loves to get on Trenton's scooter now.  I push him around on it.  He thinks he's bigger than he is, too!

Granna sends home special treats.  Trenton eyes his donut man, but he can't have him until his green beans and mac n cheese are finished.  Look at that smile! 

Guess you can tell he finished his dinner!

Our boys love them some milk!  This is what our refrigerator looks like regularly.  We buy a gallon of whole milk and skim milk each time, and we go through those two jugs in two-three days.  I'm hoping we get the 2nd fridge working soon!

Happiest 15 Month Old

We truly have been blessed with such a fun, happy baby!  Life wouldn't be the same without this bundle of energy!  Bennett keeps the smiles coming and laughter close.  Open mouth kisses are still frequent and he is very loving.  He goes to bed 6/7 pm and sleeps until 6/7 am the next morning.  Bennett is definitely an alert, smart baby, too.  You say something once and he's at that location ready.  He had his 15 month well check today and I'd say his appearance pretty much fits the statistics.  Tall, skinny, but full of brains.....he weighed 21 lbs 7 oz (9%), was 31 3/4 in long (64%), and had a head circumference of 19 1/4 in (89%). 

He loves:

watermelon and cantaloupe

being outside

holding hands

toddle music

yogurt smoothies

balls

hats

kids

dogs

stairs

our basement

opening and closing doors

Funny quirks that make him unique from Trenton (This is so I don't forget!):

He cries so hard if you tell him no or put him in timeout.  (You feel so bad!)

He stands up on anything. We possibly have a crib climber on our hands.

He's blonder.

He's more hesitant with strangers.  He'll smile big, but don't try to pick him up.  He gravitates quickly to Mommy when others are near and he's on the ground.

He can more successful skip a nap and maintain his composure.

He is adamant about feeding himself.  (But, you can sneak extra bites in....he just wants to hold the fork/spoon all by himself.  So each meal comes with two utensils!)

He's a better car traveler.

Similarities with Trenton:

Fantastic eater (at this stage!)

Huge fan of Granna and Opa. 

Shouts "Nana" all the time. 

Runs to Opa with arms up ready to be held.

Still double napping.  1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon 

Drinks a bottle before naps/bed.  He loves them!  (Let him be a baby!)

Wiggles out from his blanket and I go in twice a night to recover him up. 

Gives huge smiles to the camera.

Words:

all our names

dog

bottle

drink

outside

downstairs

Bye-Bye! (followed by) See ya!

ball

hat

shoes

Here's our lean, mean Bennett-Machine!

Riding at the River

Bennett appeared to be skipping his morning nap today so we loaded bikes up and went down by the Chattahoochee for a family bike ride.  It's flat there so we thought Trenton would be able to handle it.  Bennett rode on the back of Daddy's bike and I stayed with Trenton.  We tried to stay together but it was a little difficult for Daddy who wanted to go fast to keep B happy.  After a couple miles in and Daddy turning around every so often we told him to go on and we'd meet him back at the car.  It was a good time but as Trenton's legs get stronger, it will be even better.  I certainly felt like we were creeping along most of the time.  However, we were impressed that he was able to ride the 3 miles that he did.  Looking forward to many family bike rides in the future!   

 The boys look out onto the river as they eat their string cheese snack before the big ride.

 They were anxious for the ride!

 Daddy unloaded the bikes from the rack and we were set to go!

 Trenton was the first one ready!

 The paved path was flat and shady.  It was a perfect ride!

 Bennett enjoyed his first ride, although Kevin said he looked back at the end and his head was down on the bar.  He was sound asleep.

 Here's the daze before drifting to sleep.  There's something about that fall breeze in your hair......well, and the fact that you skipped out on a morning nap so are real sleepy now.  :)

 Oh, he reenergized quickly.  Apparently it was immediately after Kevin got him out.  Bennett is full speed on playgrounds these days. 

 Then he thinks he can do everything his big brother can.  So fun to watch!

They having each other to play with.  They truly are the perfect distance apart! 

Push Ups

I came down one morning with Trenton.  As soon as he saw Kevin he said, "Daddy, what are you doing?"   Before Kevin could respond, Trenton down on the floor with Kevin.  You see, Kevin had started working out from the house most mornings before work .  Since Trenton woke up early this day he got see him exercising.  He laughed hysterically then joined right in.  I had to snap pictures of this!  Haha!   

 Elevated push ups

 Regular push ups.

And a 3 year old loving it!