Sweet Bell

e voice singing "eieio." I went to get Andy and we both listening through the door to Annie singing a mishmash of words then "eieio" followed by "mooooo." If that isn't the sweetest sound?
The sweetest smell would be Ben's nose from this afternoon. A friend gave us her Mr. Sketch scented markers - Andy says they were 'the bomb' when he was in grade school - as he is sniffing them now "hmmmm" with a heavenly look on his face. Ben came in to show me the picture he had colored with these special markers. It looked like he had some dirt on his nose that I figured we would just wash of in the tub. It wasn't until bathtime that I got close enough to see the mixture of colors that dotted that little space between your nose and upper lip. (A prize to the first person that can name that space acording to my favorite movie...) Every child in the good ol' US of A has had that happen at one point or another in his life - and if you don't admit it, I'll say your lying!!! :)

My Precious Daughters

How Spoiled Can One Mom Be???

My 'little' niece is here visiting for a few weeks to help me! It's amazing how equally she spends time with each of the kids and also playing with me. She is in charge of getting Annie in and out of her carseat (quite a feat for those who have also attempted this task as Annie is almost 22 months and would MUCH rather be playing with her buckles or roaming around the van), putting the silverware away, and something else that I can't remember. Lucky girl can't have too many chores because my mind can't remember them all! She is a great help and we've been able to go out and DO more things that we usually do. Ben adores playing house. Addy has been here almost a week (time is FLYING by!) and I still turn when Ben calls "mom" only to find they are playing house. June 25th is going to be a sad day when she goes home - IF she can get a ride to the airport because I just might have to keep her for a few more months...

A Visit from Mary Poppins...

It you've watched the previous post, I'm sure you can only imagine the amount of fun I had with my roommates! What's even more fun is the memories and looking back through pictures. Last week Katie came to visit (long brown hair, third from right). I haven't had that much fun in a long time! We took the kids to the Zoo, on a walk, to a rodeo, played at home, cleaned out my closet, organized my office, framed Andy's high school art work, picked cowboy stuff for Ben's room, skipped over to the Dallas Temple, and almost had an all-nighter (only made it to 4am). She is simply amazing and I'm so glad we've been friends for almost 10 years! Yes, we met 10 years ago this coming August. She and Becky (long light brown hair on far right) were my very first visiting teachers in the dorms and basically taught me everything I know today - even though I don't do it all. :) She made everything fun and got more projects done than Andy and I have been able to do in several months! KUDOS to Kevin Johnson who stayed home on his two week break from ER rotations to watch their 3 kids while Katie helped me with mine! Update on roommates from Belmont Apt #26 - from left
1. Lindsey - you should know more about my life than you want to if you keep up with Blog.
2. Hollie- just got back from 4 month stint in Africa, lives in DC
3. Angie - headed to Kirsville, Missouri with husband and 2 kids for DO school
4. Katie - mom in Detroit to 3 kids, 2 years until husband (our 7th roommate) finishes residency
5. Jill - mom to 2 kids, living in Yuma, Arizona where husband works as Border Control
6. Becky - mom to 2 kids in Las Vegas - continues to send fun birthday/holiday packages to us all!

For Lindsey's Roommates

Okay - if your name is Katie, Jill, Angie, or Becky, stop right here and go and get your Husband for they will want to see this. Hollie - I did not forget about you, you just need to get married so that everyone has a reason to go on a family vacation to your wedding. Anyway - Katie brought this with her this past weekend when she came to visit. I digitized it and am trying something new - posting it on our blog via youtube. So naturally I am doing this instead of sleeping. Hope you enjoy it.

Another Week of Baseball

Grandma and Annie watching Ben play.As cute as Ben is, we also love the other things we find in pictures from these games - namely the third baseman.
Stopping at Third.

Running home to get High 5 from the Head Coach - take note of how many coaches you see on the field at one time. Even with 8 adults out there from both teams, the kids still run every which way - and we love it! The spectators are constantly entertained...
Three fielders, one ball, who is the lucky Indian?

Going up for another turn at bat
Taking off from First Base.

End of the Year

Ben had a little swimming party with his preschool class. It was great to get to know another little girl and her parents. Annie and Brynnley decided they were hungry and started munching on carrots; we weren't going to stop them. Emily just enjoyed the view from her carseat!

Playing with the Powells

Eddie needed to trim some trees, and Andy was only too happy to help. In the picture of Kisty, Kylie and Brynnely watching Andy and Eddie climbing the tree to get onto the roof, our van is in the background. Also we see Annie and her buddy Brynnley watching the ants travel across the sidewalk. These two are so cute together and greet one another with big hugs.

Series of Unfortunate Events...

1. I stepped on a plug lying in the middle of the floor and it broke the skin and left a nice plug-size bruise on the bottom of my foot (didn't get infected!)
2. While opening the fridge, a bottle of water fell out and landed directly on my fourth toe - also resulting in a very pretty purple bruise on the opposite foot (didn't break any bones).
3. Took Emily for 2 month appt to find she has an outer ear infection which is very uncommon for children this young. He thinks it started as a middle ear infection and moved to outer from what I described. I have never heard her scream so loud as when the Dr. looked in her ear with his tool - about rivaled the night Ben had an IV put in and I was at the other end of the children's hospital wing through 2 doors and could still hear it. Not fun to hear our child (or any child) cry like that. (she's continued to sleep through night!!!)
4. Woke up at 4am with burning on my arms. I somehow came into contact again with POISON IVY - the pain continues to worsen as the day goes on. (STILL looking for the silver lining in this one...)

On the side of things:

1. Ben did a great job participating in tball practice last night. I would run to third base with him and he ran home alone. He also did the drills and had a few hits that wowed everyone - shocked one of the dads because he had to chase it!
2. Annie and I sat and did the same puzzle 6 times until I had to put Emily down for a nap. We did it very quietly and just said the names of each animal as it was placed in the puzzle.
3. Emily is doing great (besides previous post). She weighs in at 13 pounds 3 ounces and is 95% for weight. She measures 23 1/2 inches and is 93% for height. Way to grow!!!

Visit from Grandma and Grandpa Maas

For Those Who Have Ever Shopped for Maternity Clothes

We have the cutest friends in our neighborhood that we love! We are very excited because the wife, Kate is pregnant with their first child, a little girl, who is going to be born on my birthday! For Mother's Day her husband, Scott, tried to get her something she would appreciate. She has been complaining a bit about the hot weather (shocker here in the Lone Star State while cooking a little bun 24/7), so Scott thought a tank top would be a great idea. Brave man that he is, he ventured into the Maternity clothes section. While looking around he found a really cute pink one that he knew Kate would love. He continued looking until he found the correct size, purchased it, brought it home, wrapped it up, and gave it to her Sunday afternoon. When Kate opened her present and pulled out the tank top, it looked a little bit big, so she checked the tag size (24W/26W). Scott was anxiously watching her face to see if he succeeded. "It should fit right? Because you are 21 weeks - soon you'll be 24 weeks and it will fit then, right?"

If that is not the sweetest husband gift ever, I don't know what is!

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians

Ben played in his first baseball game this morning! He was a bit timid at first and was quite reluctant about batting, but he ended the game excited to play again! He made a little friend named Lexi (the only girl on the team) and they got into their 'baseball positions' together. It was very fun to watch - and even though they only played 1 1/2 innings, Grandpa Maas said it was even more exciting than the Diamondbacks! :) Way to go Ben!!!

Parent/Teacher Conference - from the Parent's Side

This morning Andy and I went to our first Parent/Teacher Conference as parents! I honestly was a little bit nervous to hear what Ms. Adams had to say about Ben - as parents warned me about when I taught. Of course, there was nothing to really worry about. We spent a good 15 minutes going over the different sounds that he needs to work on over the summer and what types of speech patterns he is missing. She also told us a little bit about their morning routine and how Ben does in the classroom. She said he is one of the most social kids in class and made friends his first day there. He just jumped right into each activity. He loves to talk and raise his hand to answer questions. She said the only behavior issue she has had to work on with him is talking out (shocker) but he's only been there a few weeks and is 3 years old, so it will get better. Whenever she corrects him, he is immediately contrite. He has two little girls in class that he loves to be with - Andy said he taught him to go after the petite blondes (hahaha) - whom we hear about almost every day. He absolutely loves his class. Monday when I took him to school, he jumped out of the car and ran to Ms. Adams with his arms open wide for a hug. Then he jumped into her arms. It shocked me to see him so free with his hugs as he's always had space issues - not with her! We're so glad he made it into the program and is happy there while improving so much with his speech and his words. We talked a little bit about why it's so hard to understand him speaking and it's because he is missing the s blends, and that is what the English language is filled with. She said as soon as he gets those (st, sl, sh, sm, sn, etc.) his _________ (I forgot the word!!!) anyway - people will be able to understand him immensely. It's so hard for me to judge what other people can hear because I'm so used to the modifications he makes. Anywho - we'll work hard over the summer and hope to make a little bit more progress!

Emily's Blessing

Emily was blessed this past Sunday in church. She behaved beautifully and Andy did a great job! Ben and Annie weren't so keen on pictures, so we all need to get dressed up again to get a family pic!

They grow on plants...

With all the produce we have been getting, I want the kids to know how we really get food - since they know how we really get milk. :) I went online (pickyourown.org) and found a farm where we could go to pick strawberries. Thank you Maryanne for the inspiration with your pear canning last year! It was a 45 minute drive to this little patch of grass in the middle of Arlington. We got buckets and set off to work! Ben had a blast while Emily screamed the majority of our adventure. The day was overcast and misty which made the sugars in the strawberries melt - as was explained to us by the farmer. Good thing Ben wore his gloves!

Can't Stop Laughing!

This must be good if I am posting during halftime! Tonight was our first night to put Ben and Annie in the same room. Ben went right to sleep, but Annie didn't do so hot. I got home from church at 9pm to find her still awake. At 10pm Andy brought her in to watch the Mavs game and Ben trailed in about 15 minutes later.

So we are sitting watching the game when Baron Davis comes back in after having a lightly-pulled hamstring (someone can correct me if I got the term wrong). Andy and I thought they should be driving on him because his defense was pitiful! Of course, he was guarding JET who doesn't drive much, but still - the guy couldn't even run - until he started making a bunch of 3s, but that is a different story.

Quite exasperated I said, "Why doesn't he drive!?!"

Ben was sitting with Andy on the bed and said so sweetly - with his hands turned up - "Maybe because he doesn't have a car?" It was said in the tone of "well, Mom, can I answer this question for you because you just don't seem to get it but I still love you."

I love three year olds!!!

Going Fishing

We went to the Dallas Arboretum last week and used our new camera for the first time! It was great! The kids had a great time running around and looking in the reflection pool until... That's right - Little Miss decided to dip her raisins in the water before eating them because everything is better dipped! She is a bit top heavy... So, we took off her wet clothes and the only thing available (besides Emily's 0-3 month onesie) was a friend's 3-6 month little boy outfit. Thank you for sharing! We all had a great time!

"I Don't Know"

This seems to be my phrase of choice lately. Mom, why is the grass yellow? "Because the sun is coming through the fence and only landing on that grass." Why? "Because there are little slits in the fence that the sun can sneak through." So, is the sun yellow? "Yes." Why? "I don't know, Ben."

Saturday evening we found a small part of a dead bird on our front yard. Ben has been fascinated with it ever since. Mom, why is the bird dead? "Because it lived a long life." How did it die? "It was probably caught by another animal." But why did they kill it? "Probably because it was hungry." The next day - Mom, is the bird still in our front yard? "I don't think so, Ben." Did it fly away? "No, once a bird is dead it can't fly anymore." Where did it go? "Maybe it got washed away with all the rain we had." I think it flew away; it probably came back to life and flew away. "Ben, the only person or thing that ever came back to life after it was dead was Jesus Christ." Well, maybe Jesus came back to life, he helped the bird come back to life, and they flyed away. "Maybe - anything is possible."

I tell you, where does he come up with these things? He definitely keeps me on my toes and my mind is so mentally exhauted by bedtime! I take several deep breathes during the day to remind myself that he is not asking these questions to be repetitive or drive me crazy but because he wants to learn and has an active mind - right?!? The last week or so, I have been sooooo grateful for 7pm bedtime!

Ben's First Talk

Ben was asked to give his first talk in Primary for this past Sunday. For FHE the week before, we wrote down his talk (I wrote down what he said while he drew the picture to remind him of what to say). We talked about it a couple times during the week - I would get him pictures from the library on Sunday and hold them. Either Dad or I would help him with the words. He continued to insist that he didn't need help and he would do it all by himself - and basically refused to practice.

So, on Sunday moring he went right to the Primary room and sat in the chair at the front of the room for the child who is giving the talk. Andy was trying to leave Annie in Nursery (who was screaming bloody-murder). A friend (or two) were watching Emily so I could help Ben. Emily also started screaming, so I quickly fed her a little bit while the children were singing the opening song. As soon as I handed her back, so again commenced the screaming.

I went to the front of the room to kneel by Ben (who would NOT stand up). He also did not want to hold the microphone or the pictures of Noah that I got. (We planned his talk around Noah and the ark because that is his FAVORITE story - all about animals!) He got this "deer-in-the-headlights" look and wouldn't say a word. So, the choirister held the pictures while I said his talk. :) It was fun!

"Oh Lord, You gave me a truck!"

Who can quote that movie? Last night Andy and I rented it (and paid $4.68!) and LOVED it! I either laughed or cried during the entire movie - while holding little Emily. :)

Stories from this past week:
1. Friday I told Ben that he needed to take a nap if he wanted to go to Dad's soccer game that night. He asked if he and his purple baby could go camping. I said yes, if they fell asleep. I went to check on him about five minutes later. Ben had spread a blanket on the floor and brought his pillow off the bed. Then he and purple baby must have looked at a few books and "both" were sound asleep.
2. Ben was on the phone with Nonie and asked is she could hear "this." He was holding the phone against the duck vibrating chair that Emily sits in because it has a faint humming sound.
3. We took Ben kite flying yesterday for the first time. However, since our camera is broken we don't have any pictures...however, we did buy a new camera Friday night and hopefully it will come early next week!
4. Tuesday I was doing laundry - Ben told me he and Annie were playing dress-ups. As I was hanging clothes in Andy's closet, they ran into my room and yelled, "Trick-or-Treat!" with Ben dressed at a cowboy and Annie as a knight. I told them they would have to do a trick because I didn't have any treats - as much as I wanted some too!
5. Thursday morning the kids and I did some yardwork. We started out mowing the lawn. Emily was in her duck chair and fell asleep on the porch. Ben had on his earplugs and goggles to help me push the lawn mower and Annie was about five feet from us pushing her stroller up and down the lawn. That was fun for about 1/2 the yard, then Ben and Annie played on the porch by Emily. Then we all planted flowers. We also did this last week and realized we needed A LOT more flowers to make the house look even decent. So, this planting saga ended with Ben completely naked because he kept taking off clothes that got wet. It was quite a comical scene. :)
6. The movie is Facing the Giants- we would highly recommend it - although, as we were warned, the acting is not quite what one would expect from a movie. That made it even more endearing.